This coloration of the skin, eyes and fluids coming out of the body, is the first symptom indicative of the liver condition. When the normal functioning of the metabolism and excretion of this bilirubin is interfered with because of any other pathological processes, the liver becomes inflamed or jaundiced. There are three basic categories of jaundice, based on when exactly the pathology occurs.
The first one is Pre-hepatic, when the bilirubin gets affected before reaching the liver; Hepatic, when the bilirubin gets affected when it is still present in the liver; and Post-Hepatic, when the effect takes place after the bilirubin has left the liver. This is an acute disorder that has a sudden onset and a brief gestation period. An episode of jaundice, if treated at the right time, can be cured in a week’s time. However, immediate medical attention is necessary. Jaundice, if caused due to any liver disease, will be accompanied with the symptoms of liver infection and cirrhosis if it is severe. There will be a lot of fatigue, your ankles get swollen, and there is a bloating of the stomach due to the retention of fluids. Muscles also start to waste and there might be bleeding within the intestines. In a severe case, the patient can actually slip into a coma. When caused because of blockage of bile ducts, it can lead to deficiencies. Bile is an important chemical used in the process of digestion. In the absence of bile, the body is unable to absorb all the nutrients. The symptoms associated are those of vitamin deficiencies like reduced blood clotting due to deficiency of vitamin D of swelling of gums due to deficiency of vitamin C.
Jaundice also has the tendency to relapse. The antigen, known as Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is basically protein. The production of this antigen is the first indicator of jaundice. If a test indicates high level of HBsAg in the blood, jaundice can be diagnosed even before the first symptoms appear. In a lot of people, who got infected in their childhood, the HBsAg remains positive as the HBV gets a chronic infection. The people who have this, become carriers of jaundice. They are not jaundiced and do not suffer from the condition but should be tested for continued attacks on the liver.
answered by M W