Jaundice (icreticity) is a pathology characterized by a change in the color of the skin, mucous membranes and their staining in yellow. This pathology is caused by an increase in bilirubin in the blood – a special pigment that stains tissues.
reasons
All signs of jaundice are manifested as a result of an increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood. When the concentration of bilirubin level is above 20 mmol / l, symptoms are already manifested.
All the reasons are divided into three large groups:
Jaundice with hepatic origin develops:
When the liver is affected by drugs
In case of liver damage by viral hepatitis (A,B,C,D,E)
In case of liver damage by toxins, alcohol, as a result of severe toxicosis
In case of liver damage by autoimmune diseases
For oncological diseases of the liver
Hemolytic jaundice develops when:
With anemia, in which erythrocyte hemolysis occurs
In case of intoxication with hemolysis products
With toxic effects on blood cells
Mechanical jaundice develops when:
In case of violation of the outflow of bile
With adhesive processes in the bile ducts
Obstruction (blockage) of ducts
For oncological diseases
In parasitic diseases, in which the localization of parasites is in the bile ducts
symptoms
Depending on the causes, different types of jaundice are characterized by a different set of symptoms. So, with jaundice of hepatic genesis, the skin color is intense, yellow-orange. Lemon coloration on the background of pale skin is most characteristic of hemolytic jaundice. In the pathology of the biliary tract, the skin and mucous membranes acquire a yellowish-olive color, gradually darkening to a brown hue.
Other symptoms accompanying the discoloration are the appearance of vascular asterisks, which is characteristic of hemolytic and hepatic pathologies, also with liver damage, patients complain of itchy skin, when examining the patient, the liver is enlarged, often painful.
With all types of jaundice, the color of not only the skin, but also urine and feces changes. As a rule, urine darkens – this is due to the presence of urobilin, bilirubin in it, and feces lightens due to the low content of streklobilin.
Viral hepatitis causes not only changes in the liver, but also in the whole body – intoxication syndrome develops, fever. With hemolysis of the blood, not only the liver increases, but also the spleen.
diagnostics
Examination and interview of the patient.
General (clinical) blood test, urine test – bilirubin level.
Blood biochemistry – the level of liver enzymes, proteins, cholesterol.
Blood serology – antibodies to pathogens of viral hepatitis, other infectious and parasitic diseases.
Ultrasound examination of the liver, spleen, gallbladder and ducts
Gastrodudenoscopy
Magnetic resonance imaging
treatment
Treatment largely depends on the causes and type of jaundice. Various cases require the attention of not only therapists, but also hematologists, oncologists, surgeons or infectious diseases specialists.
With hemolytic jaundice, complex therapy is carried out aimed at preventing hemolysis, in severe cases, blood transfusion is required. Viral hepatitis requires therapy with antiviral drugs, the appointment of hepatoprotectors. Diet therapy is also prescribed, alcohol is completely excluded and medication intake is limited. In case of pathology of the gallbladder and ducts, surgical intervention is performed – neoplasms, adhesions are removed, obturation is eliminated. In some cases, crushing the stones helps to eliminate the cause and symptoms of jaundice.
