When a person has jaundice, they typically experience yellowing of the skin and eyes. It’s crucial to see a gastroenterologist promptly if you suspect that you have this condition. They can conduct the appropriate tests to help manage your symptoms and determine the root cause. Use the following guide to learn more about the condition.

Causes

When the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow, the body isn’t efficiently processing bilirubin. This brownish-yellow substance is found in bile and develops when the liver breaks down hemoglobin through its normal processes.

Under normal circumstances, it latches onto bile in the liver and travels from the ducts to the digestive tract for elimination. If the liver doesn’t perform its role in this process efficiently, bilirubin builds up in the bloodstream. The excess creates the telltale yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes.

The problem may develop due to the presence of a virus, such as Hepatitis A, B, or C, or the Epstein-Barr virus. Blockages in the bile ducts resulting from gallbladder swelling or pancreatic tumors may also cause jaundice, as can liver inflammation.

Symptoms

People don’t always present symptoms when they have jaundice, making it difficult to seek the help of a gastroenterologist at the right time. If it develops slowly, you may not notice any problems until the skin and eyes start to yellow.

In shorter-term situations resulting from infections, you may experience chills, fever, abdominal pain, and dark urine. If caused by blockages or swelling, jaundice may result in itchy patches of skin and weight loss.

Infant Jaundice

Infant jaundice affects around 60% of newborns and typically develops several days following birth. It’s more likely to affect preterm babies, but any infant whose liver hasn’t developed properly and can’t efficiently remove bilirubin will also be at risk. Most cases are resolved without treatment, but severe cases might require light therapy or a blood transfusion to eliminate the bilirubin.

If you or a loved one has jaundice, let the professionals at Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology Consultants help you. Proudly serving patients throughout Prospect, CT, and New Haven County since 1989, they provide comprehensive treatments of digestive disorders and perform liver biopsies, endoscopies, and colon cancer screenings. Visit the gastroenterologists online for more information, or call (203) 756-6422 to schedule an appointment.