Jaundice

Jaundice is yellowing of the eyes, skin and sometimes nails and mouth, from a build-up of bilirubin — a yellow pigment made when old red cells are broken down. It is a symptom, not a disease — the important question is why the bilirubin is rising.

Three broad causes

• Before the liver (haemolysis) — red cells breaking down too fast (malaria, sickle cell disease, thalassaemia, drug reactions, G6PD deficiency).
• In the liver — hepatitis (A/B/C/E), alcohol, drug injury, fatty liver progressing to hepatitis, autoimmune disease.
• After the liver (blockage) — gallstones blocking the bile duct, pancreatic tumours, bile duct tumours, parasites.

Features that matter

• Dark urine and pale stools — suggest blocked bile or liver disease.
• Fever, right-upper pain, nausea — infection or gallstones.
• Itching — often from bile in the skin.
• Painless jaundice in an older adult with weight loss — must rule out pancreatic or bile duct cancer urgently.
• Jaundice in a newborn — covered separately; most is normal but severe forms need urgent attention.

Red flags — see a Health Expert urgently

• Jaundice with fever, confusion, or severe pain.
• Jaundice with bleeding gums or bruising.
• Jaundice in pregnancy — Hepatitis E can be life-threatening in pregnant women.
• Jaundice with weight loss.

Tests

Blood tests (liver function, hepatitis panel, haemolysis markers), ultrasound of the abdomen, sometimes MRCP or endoscopic ultrasound. Most diagnoses are made with these.

Important practical note — India context

Several unregulated ayurvedic, siddha, and traditional "jaundice cures" claim rapid results — some have been linked to worsening liver injury and delayed proper diagnosis. Any jaundice deserves a proper evaluation from a qualified Health Expert first. For simple viral hepatitis A or E, good rest, clean food and water, and avoiding alcohol and unnecessary drugs are usually enough — specific "cures" aren't needed.