Jaundice in Kansas City, MO
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Find a ProviderWhat is jaundice?
Although jaundice is frequently detected in newborns, it can happen in adults as well. This problem makes the skin and the whites of the eyes become a shade of yellow. This is the result of high amounts of bilirubin, a yellow-orange bile pigment in the liver. Though the condition commonly doesn’t have to be treated, it’s important to talk to a skilled gastroenterologist at Digestive Health Specialists when you begin noticing your eyes or skin developing a yellow shade, as the underlying cause could need to be treated. To get more info on treatment for jaundice in Kansas City, MO, contact our office to book a consultation now.
What causes jaundice?
Jaundice happens if someone has elevated levels of bilirubin. This is an orange-yellow compound created in the liver from the breakdown of RBCs (red blood cells). The precise reason for jaundice is based on whether it appears before production, throughout production, or following the production of bilirubin.
Reasons for jaundice before bilirubin production (unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia) include:
- Hemolytic anemias (red blood cells are destroyed faster than the end of their normal lifespan)
- Reabsorption of a severe bruise (pooling of blood outside the blood vessel)
Factors contributing to jaundice throughout bilirubin production are:
- Drinking alcohol
- Hepatitis A, B, or C
- Particular drugs
- Epstein-Barr or other viruses
- Autoimmune disorders
The cause of jaundice following bilirubin generation could be the result of obstructed bile ducts in connection with:
- Bladder inflammation
- Gallstones
- Multiple cancers
Some patients also have jaundice in connection with diseases of the liver. This might happen if you experience:
- Pyoderma gangrenosum (a skin disorder)
- Acute hepatitis A, B, or C
- Inflamed liver (or long-term hepatitis)
- Joint inflammation
What are the symptoms of jaundice?
Jaundice is commonly mistakenly diagnosed — actually, much of the time, no symptoms are even present. Even still, numerous patients could have symptoms according to the underlying cause of jaundice. During your visit to our Kansas City, MO office, if you have problems such as chilling, fever, abdominal pain, yellow skin, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, or symptoms of the flu, you might be experiencing jaundice because of an infection.
On the other hand, if your jaundice is not caused by any type of infection, you may have an unintended drop in body weight or skin that itches. Additionally, the most common symptom of jaundice associated with cancer is pain in the abdomen.
If you’re dealing with any of the above-listed problems, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Digestive Health Specialists so our team can examine the health and wellness of the liver.
How is jaundice diagnosed and treated?
Jaundice is often found by accident when addressing different conditions or symptoms. Jaundice can be discovered by checking for markers of liver disease. Symptoms associated with this often include:
- Palmar erythema (red color on the palms and fingertips)
- Bruises on the skin
- Visible veins
Urine testing and blood tests may also point to bilirubin levels. Also, our team may advise a liver analysis to investigate your liver size and tenderness.
Once diagnosed, your provider will start to address the underlying source of jaundice. Due to the fact that jaundice itself doesn’t necessitate therapy, our team will likely treat the symptoms related to it. Several of the side effects we treat include:
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain or indigestion
- Throwing up
Alleviate jaundice-related symptoms
If you have observed a yellowish tone in your eyes or skin, you’ve had stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation, stomach bloating, or vomiting, this can be a sign of jaundice. Even though jaundice alone often doesn’t require treatment, the underlying cause of the problem potentially might — including gallstones, inflamed bladder or liver, long-term hepatitis, and possibly cancer. Our skilled GI providers at Digestive Health Specialists are experienced in addressing jaundice, as well as several different liver-related conditions in connection with it. For more details on jaundice and ways to treat and limit the chances of it, contact our Kansas City, MO practice to request an appointment.
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