Author: Dr. Deepak Thomas
MBBS, MD, DM (Gastroenterology) : Consultant - Gastroenterology

Jaundice is the symptom that accumulates in the blood due to various reasons. That means it is only a symptom. The underlying cause needs treatment. Jaundice is most commonly caused by liver inflammation, but sometimes serious illnesses such as cancer can also cause jaundice. 

What are the main causes of jaundice? 

• Jaundice is mainly caused by liver diseases. For most people, jaundice is a symptom of hepatitis. Viruses like A, B, C, E etc. which affect the liver, bacteria like typhoid, rabies etc. and malaria are common causes. Some people may develop jaundice due to severe viral infections such as dengue fever following fever. 
• Secondly, obstruction of the bile ducts of the liver can lead to jaundice due to accumulation of bile in the liver. Such people usually have abdominal pain, body itching and sometimes fever with chills. Obstruction by stones in the bile duct, tumors in the bile duct, pancreas, or gallbladder cause this condition. 
• Bone marrow disorders can also sometimes cause jaundice. Example; Leukemia and hemolysis 
• Some people have an inherited condition where only unconjugated bilirubin is present in the blood. 

The above work up does not show anything wrong with liver function or scanning, it is a harmless condition that does not require any medication (GILBERTS' SYNDROME) 

What tests are needed to diagnose jaundice?

• Blood tests can first determine if it is inflammation of the liver, a build-up of bile in the liver, or an infection. First, preliminary tests are done to assess whether it is a bone marrow failure. 
• Then, for example, if the cause is liver disease, hepatitis A, B, C, E, dengue fever, typhoid, rabies, and malaria can be detected by taking into account the symptoms. Liver inflammation can occur in some people due to drug interactions, and such individuals should be screened to rule out the above causes. 
• Bile duct obstruction by scanning for those with yellow bile due to bile binding in the liver 

Are effective allopathic medicines available for hepatitis?

• Of course there is. For example, dangerous viruses like hepatitis B and C can be completely treated and cured with effective medicine. 
• Medicines are available to control liver inflammation, although there is no specific drug against the relatively low-risk jaundice A. E. dengue fever. 
• We have available antibiotics that are effective against bacterial rabies and typhoid and drugs that are effective against malaria. 

What treatments are available for bile duct obstruction?

Gallstones can be removed by endoscopy (ERCP). But the bile duct tumors had to be surgically removed.