The liver is one of the most important workers of our body. It is impossible to overestimate her work: she is involved in the digestion process, produces the necessary hormones and vitamins, participates in the metabolism and the hematopoiesis system, and acts as a protector and purifier from harmful toxins and waste products. This body is indispensable in the literal sense of the word - there are no artificial analogues that could replace it at least temporarily. Because the liver is what you need to carefully preserve throughout your life and in case of problems immediately seek help and begin competent treatment. One of the most common and common problems can be attributed to a disease, which in everyday life is called so: jaundice. Symptoms in adults and children are not difficult to determine, they are obvious: human skin, eye proteins and mucous membranes acquire a yellowish tint. This is a clear signal that the body needs help.
Jaundice in children and adults
In the first days after the birth of the baby, many mothers may encounter the so-called icter of the newborn. This condition is considered normal for the baby, does not require treatment and goes away by itself within a week. But jaundice (symptoms) in adults should be regarded as a signal that a malfunction has occurred in the body. Often true jaundice can be confused with false. Excessive intake of vitamins or products containing carotene (oranges, pumpkin, carrots or beets) can make the skin yellow. It is easy to distinguish true jaundice from carotene: with false, only the skin changes color, but the eyes and mucous membranes remain unchanged.
In fact, the manifestations that are commonly called jaundice are symptoms. In adults and children, they can occur as a result of a number of pathologies or diseases, and this happens when the body cannot completely clear itself of bilirubin, a product formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin. In a normal state, it should be excreted along with feces, but if for some reason this did not happen, bilirubin begins to accumulate in the blood. The body tries to cleanse itself in any other way: through the kidneys or skin, which is why they acquire a jaundice - the color of bilirubin. A similar symptom can be the result of various diseases, it is important to find out the true cause of its occurrence and provide medical care as soon as possible.
Types and causes
For proper treatment, it is important to establish the cause of jaundice (symptoms). In adults, there are several basic conditions:
- Obstructive jaundice - occurs as a result of pathology of the gallbladder or as a result of blockage of the excretory ducts. It can appear with helminthic invasion, blockage with stones, in the presence of tumors or other causes that cause bile congestion.
- Parenchymal jaundice is the result of hepatic metabolic disorders associated with impaired hepatocytes. Bilirubin is not converted into compound bile, but remains unchanged. In this form, it enters the bloodstream, and then spreads throughout the body. The cause can be a variety of liver diseases: cirrhosis, hepatitis, cancers, mononucleosis, sepsis, toxic or infectious lesions.
- Hemolytic jaundice - occurs as a result of a malfunction in the hematopoietic system, due to which the production of bilirubin is disrupted. May be due to an autoimmune disease, extensive hematomas, lymphomas, anemia, intoxication, or a hereditary predisposition.
Symptoms
The first symptoms of jaundice in adults are yellowness of the eyeball (sclera) and mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth and tongue. It is easier to spot in good daylight. The intensity of staining can be different, from lemon to yellow-orange. The skin of the face, especially around the mouth, nose and on the cheeks, acquires a characteristic hue; palms and feet also turn yellow. Over time, yellowness spreads throughout the body, staining the skin, tissues and even bone tissue. The patient notes a deterioration in general condition, chills, headache and often soreness in the liver area (right hypochondrium). Symptoms of intoxication are manifested: nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, fever, muscle pain. In some cases, biliary belching and itching appear. The patient noticeably loses weight. The urine acquires a dark shade, when shaken, it can foam and resembles a beer. But feces, on the contrary, are discolored.
Can I get jaundice?
Such an idea usually appears when someone close has already developed jaundice (symptoms). In adults, how is such a disease transmitted and is it dangerous for other family members? Jaundice itself is a consequence of other diseases, therefore it is necessary to make every effort to prevent infection of other family members. An exception can only be a disease caused by a hereditary predisposition, jaundice of newborns and pregnant women can be attributed to this, which is the norm and is associated with hormonal changes. And also those types of jaundice that were not caused by an external pathogen. Most viral infections are transmitted through close contact, as well as through food and drink, therefore precautions should be strictly observed. A common cause may be viral hepatitis. Such a disease is transmitted not only from person to person, but also from hepatitis-infected animals - dogs or cats. In this case, the virus is transmitted from animal to person only through direct contact, food and water in such cases do not become infected.
Establishing diagnosis
Correct diagnosis is crucial. It is necessary to establish the cause of jaundice (symptoms) in adults. Treatment will be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease, and a course of therapy will also be prescribed that will help cleanse the body of bilirubin. The specialist will conduct an external examination, prescribe a series of tests and establish the root cause. The patient will need to donate blood, feces and urine for analysis. In addition, ultrasound can be prescribed to determine the condition of the liver, bile ducts and spleen. With parenchymal jaundice, a laparoscopy of the liver is performed.
In case of serious diseases requiring surgical intervention, as well as with hepatitis, a liver biopsy and an additional scan (celiacography and splenoportography) are prescribed. Other types of studies may be prescribed. A correctly diagnosed and timely treatment will not only help to cure, but also reduce the risk of dangerous complications. And this is how jaundice itself looks (symptoms in adults), the photo allows you to compare the color of the sclera of a healthy person and a patient with a high content of bilirubin in the blood.
Treatment
The methods of treatment can be completely different and depend on the clinical form of the disease. The main therapy is aimed at eradicating the root cause of the disease and eliminating the consequences.
- With an infectious disease, antiviral drugs are prescribed, as well as medications aimed at maintaining and restoring liver function. Such jaundice (symptoms in adults) can cause infection in people who come into contact with the patient. Therefore, treatment is carried out in infectious diseases departments of hospitals with limited access to visit.
- If the disease is caused by a mechanical factor (obstructive jaundice), then treatment is prescribed radically. Tumors or stones are removed by surgery, drainage of the excretory ducts for normal outflow of bile is ensured.
- With hemolytic jaundice, hormone therapy with glucocorticoids is prescribed. In some cases, surgical removal of the spleen is indicated.
Bilirubin, which is present in excess in the tissues of patients, breaks up well under the influence of ultraviolet rays. Therefore, light therapy (herbal medicine) can be prescribed. With jaundice, fractional nutrition and a sparing diet are recommended.
Home Remedies
Traditional medicine offers a wide variety of treatment options for such an ailment. Basically, these are herbal preparations with a diuretic effect, as well as dispersing bile. These include infusions or decoctions of plantain, dandelion, St. John's wort, calendula, yarrow, birch leaves and many others. But remember, before starting such treatment, you should definitely consult your doctor, because only he can determine the real reason for the appearance of jaundice and give effective recommendations. You need to choose a method of treatment based on your diagnosis, otherwise you can cause irreparable harm to your health.
Consequences of the disease in adults
With timely and proper treatment, the prognosis is positive. But in case of serious pathologies (liver cancer, with cirrhosis or hepatitis A and C), jaundice can take a chronic form and even cause death. Often, one may encounter the erroneous opinion that jaundice (symptoms) transferred in childhood in adult men can cause problems with reproductive function. This statement is not entirely true. A man who has had jaundice may well become the father of a healthy child. But with a disease such as hepatitis, caution should be exercised. At the time of conception, both parents must be healthy, and this applies not only to dad, but also to the mother of the unborn child. To prevent hepatitis, people in contact with a sick person are given an injection of immunoglobulin. If the expectant mother is healthy and has such a vaccination, then her baby will be born completely healthy.
The consequences of jaundice in childhood
In the case of babies in whom, after the birth of a "newborn jaundice", but she herself did not pass after two weeks, or intrauterine infection from mother to child occurred, immediate treatment should be prescribed. Such a course is called "nuclear jaundice" and it is a serious pathology. The main danger of the disease is the effect of bilirubin on brain cells, subsequently this can affect the mental development of the child or a violation of certain functions: speech, hearing, vision or coordination. Mortality of babies during a nuclear course is very high and reaches about 50%.
Diet: what is possible and what is not?
It is very important to follow a diet if you have jaundice (symptoms). In adults, nutrition should be gentle and not burden the gall bladder and liver.
Do not eat: fried, stewed meat, as well as poultry, fish and products with their use (soups, cereals, stew vegetables and cook broths). Any kinds of canned food, pickles and pickles are contraindicated. Confectionery and bakery products, chocolate, tea, ice cream, as well as sour fruits or vegetables and eggs. It is necessary to exclude fatty and coarse fiber foods, alcohol and spices are contraindicated. Food should not be hot or cold.
You can eat: light vegetable dishes, cereals, spaghetti, crackers and gray bread, vegetable oils and low-fat dairy products. In moderate amounts, you can eat steamed or boiled poultry, fish and lean meat. Fresh fruits are good.
Prevention
First of all, you need to observe personal hygiene measures, wash your hands thoroughly before eating and be careful about choosing a sexual partner. A vaccine against viral hepatitis will also help to avoid an unpleasant disease in which jaundice (symptoms) occurs in adults. Modern medicine knows well how to treat such manifestations, but remember that first of all, your health depends on you. A disease is always easier to prevent than to treat and deal with its consequences.