Today, there are many different diseases that people do not encounter too often. However, you need to know about them at least a little. Indeed, for example, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of such problems. That is why now I want to talk in great detail about such a pathology as parenchymal jaundice.
Terminology
Before dealing with the disease itself, it is necessary to determine the concepts that will be actively used in this article. So, parenchymal jaundice is a disease, or rather, a special symptom complex, which is characterized by staining in icteric color not only of the skin, but also of the mucous membranes (eye sclera). All this happens due to the fact that bilirubin gradually begins to accumulate in the patient's body (this is bile pigment). It is also important to note that this symptom complex indicates that the patient has liver problems that need to be resolved as soon as possible.
Interestingly, in medicine there is also the concept of false jaundice. In this case, it is not bilirubin that accumulates in the human body, but carotene, a natural substance due to which the skin stains. So, this can happen if you use carrots, pumpkins, oranges, and beets too often and in large quantities. A similar problem can arise if picric acid, as well as some other medications, are consumed for a long time.
Clinical picture
How does such a pathology as parenchymal jaundice proceed? The pathogenesis of the disease is as follows. So, initially it should be noted that during normal operation, bilirubin, a bile pigment, is excreted from the body naturally. If there are certain problems in the liver, it begins to gradually accumulate in the body, signaling this by yellowing of the skin, as well as the mucous membranes. Looking through information about what parenchymal jaundice is, it is also important to say that this problem has three main stages of development.
- First stage. In this case, there is a decrease in enzyme activity, hepatocyte membranes are damaged, direct bilirubin ceases to be produced normally.
- In the second stage of the disease, patients have such a problem as hyperenzyme, the permeability of the hepatocyte membranes increases. Pain in the side appears due to squeezing of the capillaries.
- At the third stage, there is a violation of the process of glucuronidation of bilirubin, liver failure occurs . Also, urine becomes very light, pains are constantly felt in the side.
It is worth noting that it is very important to begin to fight parenchymal jaundice at the very first stages of the onset of the disease. Indeed, in this case, the problem can be dealt with much easier and faster. If you “delay” the beginning of the healing process to the third stage, then it will be very difficult to recover from this disease.
Causes of the problem
Why can parenchymal jaundice appear, what are the main causes of its occurrence?
- First of all, it should be noted that the main problem in this case is infectious agents: these are viruses, bacteria, toxins. Most often in this case we are talking about diseases such as malaria, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, etc.
- The defeat of hepatocides by poisons, both organic and inorganic. Toxic poisoning of the body can occur due to the use of poisonous mushrooms, low-quality alcohol, after taking arsenic or a snakebite.
- Certain medications that have hepatotoxic effects can also lead to this problem. In this case, most often we are talking about a drug such as Paracetamol or antibiotics.
Heredity
Considering the causes of parenchymal jaundice, it must also be said that this disease also has a hereditary factor. That is, it can be transmitted by gender from one family member to another.
- There may be a lack of specific ligandin proteins that are located on the surface of the liver.
- The cause may be a hereditary deficiency of a special enzyme called UDP-glucuronyl transferase.
- Wilson-Konovalov’s disease is also hereditary , when copper accumulates in hepatocytes, due to this genetic defect the functionality of this organ is impaired.
The main symptoms
Considering a disease such as parenchymal jaundice, symptoms - this is also what needs to be told. So, what are the manifestations of this disease?
- First of all, yellowing of the skin, as well as the mucous membranes, mainly the sclera of the eyes, testifies to this problem.
- The patient may also have mild skin itching.
- There is a headache, fever, migraine.
- Often patients complain of loss of appetite, as a result of which there is a loss of body weight.
- There are also muscle pains and general weakness.
Analysis rates are also changing.
- Feces become light, slightly colored. Everything happens due to the loss of stercobilin, another bile pigment.
- Urine also changes color. It can become either too light or too dark.
- In the blood of patients, the content of direct and indirect bilirubin increases.
Diagnostics
How can we understand that a person has parenchymal jaundice? Diagnosis - this is what tells about the existence of this disease. To do this, you must:
- Conduct a general analysis of urine, feces, as well as blood.
- Assessment of the overall clinical picture.
- Blood chemistry.
- Certain instrumental studies may be prescribed.
Clinical Tests
If the patient took a stool and urine analysis , then in this case, with this disease, the indicators of bilirubin and urobilin significantly increase, and the amount of sterkobilin drops, which causes a weak color of human excrement.
Blood tests are also needed. In this case, leukocytosis and anemia can be observed. If the patient has parenchymal jaundice, blood biochemistry is also important. Here, the indicators of bound and unbound bilirubin and urobilin will be increased.
In some cases, the patient will be prescribed other additional studies. It could be:
- Determination of the level of folic acid and vitamin B12 in the blood.
- Definition of tumor markers.
- Coprogram: analysis for parasites and helminths.
Instrumental research
An experienced specialist can easily distinguish parenchymal jaundice syndrome from a full-fledged disease. However, in some cases, even the most eminent luminaries of medicine require additional instrumental studies to confirm the diagnosis. In this case, the patient may be assigned:
- Roentgenography . To identify problems with the stomach, esophagus and intestines.
- Cholecystography . This is necessary to understand if there are stones in the gallbladder.
- Ultrasound can give information about the condition of the liver and other important organs.
- CT or MRI .
Very rarely, patients are also prescribed a liver biopsy.
Treatment
It should be noted that this pathology has several ways to get rid. It all depends on the degree of neglect of the underlying disease. Most often, doctors prescribe drugs that remove excess bilirubin from the body. However, medication does not always help. In this case, doctors can prescribe a procedure such as phototherapy. And all because ultraviolet is able to quickly break down bilirubin molecules and help speedy their elimination. With this disease, it is also important to take a complex of vitamins, and especially B and C, lipoic acid and amino acids.
Prevention and Complications
Since parenchymal jaundice is a symptom complex that occurs against the background of other diseases (viral hepatitis B and C, stones in the bladder, etc.), it is very important to start getting rid of these diseases on time. After all, we must remember that if you do not provide assistance to the patient on time, this can result in certain complications. Namely: the patient may irrevocably disrupt the work of the liver and gall bladder. At the same time, an increased concentration of bilirubin causes intoxication of the body, which extremely negatively affects the work of all its organs and systems.