Liver
Jaundice
Jaundice is yellowing of the eyes and skin. Common causes include hepatitis A and E from contaminated food or water, alcohol, some medicines and herbal products, and a blocked bile duct.
Common symptoms
- Yellow eyes and dark urine
- Pale stools and itching
- Loss of appetite and nausea
Causes and risk factors
- Hepatitis A and E from contaminated food or water
- Hepatitis B, and alcohol-related liver injury
- Some medicines and herbal products
- A gallstone or growth blocking the bile duct
- Gilbert's syndrome, a harmless inherited condition
How it is diagnosed
Liver blood tests with bilirubin, viral markers and an ultrasound find most causes. An MRCP scan or endoscopic ultrasound is used when the bile duct may be blocked.
Treatment
Blood tests and an ultrasound find the cause, and treatment depends on it. A blocked bile duct can often be cleared by ERCP without surgery.
Procedures that may help
Diet guide: Jaundice recovery
Eat more
- Normal, balanced home food with enough calories
- Dal, curd, fruits and vegetables
- Plenty of clean, boiled or filtered water
- Small frequent meals if appetite is low
- Rest while you feel tired
Cut down
- Alcohol, completely
- Herbal remedies and medicines not prescribed by your doctor
- Street food and water from unsafe sources
Good to know
- There is no need to avoid haldi, oil or salt used in normal cooking
- Boiled-food-only diets cause weakness and slow recovery
- Fever, confusion, drowsiness or bleeding need urgent care
When to see a gastroenterologist
See a doctor within a day or two. Go urgently if there is fever with chills, confusion, drowsiness or bleeding.
Common questions
Should I avoid haldi, oil or salt in jaundice?
No. Normal home food with usual amounts of haldi and oil is fine. A balanced diet with enough calories helps recovery more than a boiled-food-only diet.
Is jaundice infectious?
Hepatitis A and E spread through contaminated food and water, so handwashing and clean water protect the family. Most other causes do not spread.