Symptoms of jaundice in adults and children. Treatment
Jaundice is a syndrome characterized by yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes. Jaundice is a clinical manifestation of various pathological conditions.
Causes of physiological jaundice in newborns:
- immaturity of the enzyme system of the liver;
- conflict between the Rh factor of the blood of the baby and the mother;
- adaptation to new environmental conditions;
- premature birth;
- blood type conflict.
Physiological jaundice does not affect the baby's health and does not require therapeutic treatment.
Jaundice is a type of hepatitis
Depending on the pathogenesis and cause, there are several types of jaundice. In addition, doctors distinguish between pseudo-jaundice and true jaundice. In the first case, we are talking about the accumulation of a large amount of carotene in the skin. At the same time, the mucous membranes remain white. This happens when eating a large amount of carrots, pumpkins and oranges. With true jaundice, not only the skin but also the mucous membranes turn yellow. The reasons here are completely different.
Types of jaundice:
- hemolytic;
- mechanical;
- parenchymatous;
- renal;
- neonatal;
- conjugation.
After clarifying the cause of the disease, it is important to carry out a differential diagnosis of jaundice.
Causes and clinical manifestations of pathology
Common symptoms include:
- increase in the size of the liver;
- yellowing of the skin and sclera;
- increase of erythrocytes in the blood;
- change in color of urine and feces.
Symptoms of jaundice in adults: itching of the skin, lack of appetite and pain in the right hypochondrium.
Causes of jaundice:- pathology of the liver or gall bladder;
- postoperative complication;
- infection with parasites;
- congenital pathologies;
- new growth in the liver;
- long-term use of certain medical preparations;
- contact with a patient infected with hepatitis A.
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Hemolytic jaundice
This form of the disease is characterized by the pathological destruction of erythrocytes, the accumulation of a large amount of bilirubin and difficulties with its removal from the body. Anemia, tropical malaria, lymphocytic leukemia, and lymphosarcoma can provoke such a condition. In some cases, hemolytic jaundice is the result of the toxic effect of drugs.
Conjugation jaundice
Symptoms of this jaundice are rarely observed in adults, it is most often diagnosed in children. The syndrome develops as a result of the negative effect on the liver of some factors, for example, medicines. In addition, conjugational jaundice can be a consequence of congenital pathologies.
Parenchymatous jaundice
This is the most common form of the disease, which can be provoked by acute viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Signs of hepatic jaundice in patients are an enlarged liver, yellowish skin color that eventually becomes reddish, and telangiectasias (vascular stars on the skin).
How is jaundice transmitted
Jaundice, which arose as a result of violations of physiological processes in the body, is not contagious. It is not transmitted either by airborne droplets or from person to person. With a viral etiology of the disease, jaundice can be transmitted through water, food, blood, sexual contact, and direct contact with a sick person. The doctor will tell you in more detail about how different forms of jaundice are transmitted at a personal appointment.
Diagnostics
To make an accurate diagnosis, after a thorough examination of the patient, the doctor will prescribe a number of additional measures, namely: general blood and biochemistry analysis, blood for bilirubin, ultrasound, liver scan, MRI and duodenal sounding. After receiving the results, the specialist will prescribe a course of treatment, which can be supplemented.
Treatment of mechanical jaundice
Treatment depends on the form of the disease and the stage of development. In order for the therapy to be effective, it is necessary to establish the cause of the disease. The main treatment is conservative therapy. Surgical intervention (liver transplantation) is used only in advanced cases. Any form is treated in hospital conditions.
Treatment of mechanical jaundice:
- medical preparations;
- infusion therapy;
- plasmaphoresis;
- phototherapy;
- diet.
How to treat jaundice with phototherapy? Phototherapy is a safe treatment that uses light to reduce the amount of bilirubin in the blood. Phototherapy is used, as a rule, for the treatment of jaundice in newborns. The duration of the session is from one to four hours. The exposure time depends on the degree of pathology and the general condition of the baby.
Consequences of jaundice syndrome, prevention
With proper and timely treatment, jaundice is completely cured. The exception is advanced cases, the result of which will be a malfunction of the gallbladder and liver. A terrible consequence of jaundice syndrome in children is developmental delay.
Preventive measures are primarily aimed at preventing diseases that cause jaundice.
Let us remind you that jaundice is a common disorder and can accompany various diseases. In case of detection of yellowness of the skin and pain in the right hypochondrium, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help. Only timely treatment will help to cope with the disease and avoid negative health consequences. Sign up for a consultation right now.
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