As you know, the eyes act as a kind of mirror of the soul. They can also talk about the current state of human health. Yellowness of the sclera is considered an alarming sign that can not be ignored. It always indicates pathological changes in the body.
Medical certificate
The sclera is the outer connective tissue of the eye. It performs a protective function. It consists of collagen fibers collected in many bundles. Its thickness varies from 0.3 to 1 mm. In children, the shell of the eye is so thin that it has a bluish tint, and visual pigment is often visible through it. Thickness increases with age.
The main cause of yellowness of the sclera is the pigment bilirubin. Normally, its indicators in blood serum vary in the range of 8-20.5 μmol / L. The pigment appears as a result of the continuous breakdown of red blood cells. After it enters the liver, and from there it enters the intestines as part of bile and is excreted together with feces. Part of the bilirubin is back absorbed into the blood from the intestines. It is this pigment that provides the normal color of feces and urine.
Yellowness of the skin and sclera appears due to an increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood. The first symptoms occur when this indicator reaches 25-45 μmol / L. You can not ignore them, you must immediately consult a doctor. Below we consider the most common causes of pathology.
Diseases of the hepatobiliary system and pancreas
With various liver pathologies, a failure occurs in the process of bilirubin binding in hepatocytes due to damage and deformation of the latter. As a result, the pigment accumulates in the blood serum, causing the corresponding symptoms.
The following hepatic pathologies may be the cause of yellowness of sclera:
- various types of hepatitis;
- fatty hepatosis;
- organ fibrosis and cirrhosis;
- formations of a malignant nature;
- parasitic lesions;
- sarcoidosis.
Yellowness of sclera against the background of biliary tract diseases may be due to an excess of bilirubin and the impossibility of its further advancement into the intestine. This happens due to various reasons, for example, due to obstruction of the ducts with calculi. As a result, a full outflow of bile is disrupted, small bile ducts rupture. All this leads to the reverse casting of bile into the blood, against which cholestatic jaundice develops.
The disease has specific manifestations. Mucous membranes and skin acquire an intense yellow tint, close to orange. There is severe skin itching, pain in the right hypochondrium. Fecal discolors, and urine becomes like beer.
With various pathologies of the pancreas (pancreatitis, neoplasms of benign and malignant etiology), the organ grows in volume. He begins to squeeze the bile ducts, so the outflow of secretion is disrupted. As a result, jaundice develops.
Blood diseases
Various blood diseases, characterized by the destruction of red blood cells and the subsequent breakdown of hemoglobin, may be accompanied by a hemolytic variant of jaundice. In this case, the skin practically does not change its color, and sclera acquire a yellowish-lemon hue.
What diseases can lead to such symptoms?
- Malaria.
- Congenital defects of red blood cells and hemoglobin at the genetic level (Minkowski-Shoffar disease, thalassemia).
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Yellowness of the eyes in newborns
Yellowness of sclera and skin in newborns is a fairly common phenomenon. Immediately after the birth of the baby in his body, the fetal form of hemoglobin decays, which is responsible for the saturation of the fetus with oxygen inside the womb. As a result, an excessive amount of bilirubin is formed. Due to the immaturity of enzymatic systems, the child’s body cannot fully “neutralize” it. As a result, physiological jaundice develops. The condition does not require specific treatment. The skin and sclera, as a rule, are self-cleansed within 2-3 weeks.
Sometimes newborns are diagnosed with pathological jaundice. The main reasons are the following factors:
- hereditary diseases;
- metabolic disease;
- taking certain medications;
- intrauterine infections;
- asphyxia during delivery;
- disruptions in the endocrine system.
Symptoms of pathological jaundice appear immediately after birth. It progresses rapidly, spreading to the palms and feet. All this is accompanied by a deterioration in the overall health of the child and requires urgent medical intervention.
Exchange genetic pathologies
In medical practice, a number of diseases are distinguished, which are inherent in the genetic nature and the simultaneous violation of the metabolism of certain substances. One of the symptoms is yellowness of the sclera. Such pathologies include:
- Hemochromatosis (accumulation of iron in organs and tissues).
- Wilson-Konovalov disease (impaired copper metabolism).
- Gilbert's disease (hereditary ailment, which is characterized by the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood).
- Amyloidosis (accumulation of abnormal amyloid protein in organs).
Ophthalmic reasons
In some cases, yellowness of the sclera of the eyes is not associated with metabolic processes affecting bilirubin. This symptom is focal in nature and manifests itself in the form of spots on the shell of the visual apparatus. The cause of its appearance must be sought in ophthalmic diseases. Listed below are just some of them.
Pterygium is a disease characterized by an increase in the conjunctiva of the eye on the pupil and the transparent cornea. Negatively affects visual function, but has a slow course. The exact causes are unknown. The only treatment option is surgery.
Pingvekula is a small yellow formation in the sclera of the eye, which can slightly rise above the surface. It is often mistaken for a wen. Pathology has an asymptomatic course and has virtually no effect on vision. It is found mainly in elderly people. It does not require special therapy, but if the patient wishes, the formation is removed by laser surgery.
Melanoma, unlike a wen and penguin, is a malignant neoplasm. It is also characterized by the formation of a yellowish or brownish spot. It is usually located in the inner corner of the eye, but is difficult to diagnose. After identifying this kind of melanoma, urgent treatment is required. Otherwise, the patient may completely lose visual function.
Diagnostic Methods
According to the photo of jaundice, the sclera of the eyes cannot be diagnosed accurately. Therefore, patients with this symptom need to undergo a comprehensive examination of the body.
First of all, blood biochemistry should be taken to determine the concentration of bilirubin, fibrinogen, gamma albumin. Then an ultrasound examination of the liver is carried out, during which the size of the organ, the state of the spleen is assessed. If hepatitis is suspected, rheohepatography and puncture biopsy are prescribed.
Necessary treatment
Therapy of the disease is carried out depending on the cause of jaundice sclera of the eyes. In some cases, taking medication is sufficient, and in others, surgical intervention is already required. For example, physiological jaundice in newborns does not imply medical intervention. However, its pathological form requires the child to be under a special lamp and taking medications. With cirrhosis, the therapy is symptomatic, and in especially serious cases, organ transplantation is performed.
Additionally, when prescribing treatment, consultation with specialized specialists may be required.
Prevention Methods
If yellowness of the sclera and skin appears, this is an occasion to reconsider your lifestyle and nutrition. Bad habits, alcohol abuse, a deficiency of nutrients in the body - all this can lead to the acquisition of an unhealthy shade of the shell of the eye. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to the help of the following recommendations of doctors as soon as possible:
- Remove all “food waste” from the diet, as well as sweet and salty foods.
- Completely eliminate the use of alcohol.
- Try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. In the winter season, you can additionally take vitamin complexes, but only after consulting a doctor.
It is extremely important to devote more time to rest, and it must be correct. This is not about watching TV programs, but about walking in the fresh air, practicing all kinds of sports. From an early age, children should be accustomed to such pastime.
As you know, all diseases come from nerves. Therefore, this factor also needs to be tried to exclude from life. For this purpose, doctors advise in case of forced overwork to relax, try not to take an excessive load. Yoga classes, meditation, relaxation sessions also help. Everyone can find an option for hobbies and desires.