Teacher Universities. Intelligent casino - a space for smart people

Jaundice in a newborn can cause mental and mental retardation. physical development at the baby's. This occurs because bilirubin that is not removed from the child’s body can lead to anemia. Anemia caused by jaundice means that the cells and tissues of the organs do not receive enough oxygen.

Jaundice has completely different features in adults. The consequences of this disease and the prevention of jaundice are the topic of this article.

Jaundice in adults - features of the issue

Typically, the yellowness of babies' skin goes away on its own within a few days after birth. The reason for the occurrence of temporary jaundice is simple. The fact is that the liver small child does not immediately adapt to environment. After cutting the umbilical cord, a lot of unnecessary blood remains in the baby's body, which the liver must process. But this organ of a small child does not always cope with this task without problems.

Note that the treatment of jaundice in infants is the simplest: as many walks as possible. fresh air And breast milk mother.

Jaundice in adults manifests itself in the absence of the ability to drain excess bilirubin from bile and dysfunction of the liver, which was formed during the breakdown of dead red blood cells in the liver. As a result, bilirubin enters directly into the bloodstream, which causes yellow discoloration of the skin, sometimes itching, and then staining of the sclera. In some cases, jaundice is the result of an abnormally intense breakdown of red blood cells that simply do not have time to be eliminated from the body, or as a result of a reaction to taking certain medications.

Nutrition for jaundice in adults

To restore the normal process of formation of red blood cells, which are necessary for jaundice, it is necessary to consume proteins, B vitamins, and iron. Sources of such nutrients are fish and poultry meat, eggs, fermented milk and soy products. Dried apricots, grain bread and watercress are the main sources of iron.

It is known that folate plays an important role in restoring hematopoietic processes in jaundice in adults. Its sources include green vegetables, yeast and liver extract, cabbage and legumes.

Fiber is also needed by the body for recovery. Oatmeal is loaded with fiber.

No matter what type of jaundice a person has, in any case it is necessary to avoid drinking alcohol, as well as spicy and fatty foods, in order to avoid the consequences of jaundice and not to overload the weakened liver. You should eat small meals throughout the day. Possible with jaundice in adults light diet high in carbohydrates, which normalize liver function.

Methods for preventing and treating jaundice in adults

It should be remembered that when various forms jaundice should be seen by a doctor. Only a qualified specialist will determine the type of jaundice and prescribe the correct treatment.

Most often, for jaundice, vitamins and ascorbic acid and a gentle diet are prescribed. If skin itching occurs, wiping with 2% salicylic or menthol alcohol is usually recommended. In severe cases, surgery is required.

To prevent the consequences of jaundice in adults, first of all, you need to eat right.

Jaundice (consequences) in adults

Doctors keep repeating that jaundice itself is one of the symptoms, and not an independent disease. In this regard, the main therapy measures should not be aimed at eliminating the yellowness of the skin, but at eliminating the root cause of hepatitis. Often these include: serious illnesses, such as cholecystitis and cirrhosis of the liver.

Destruction of liver cells is perhaps the most serious consequence of jaundice. In order to at least slightly relieve the load on this vital organ, patients are advised to adhere to a strict diet. The menu for jaundice in adults should not contain anything fatty, spicy, smoked or salty. Otherwise, a person faces further disruption of the functioning of the liver, and even massive death of its cells.

Let us remember that jaundice is only a symptom. This disease can manifest itself as a result of mechanical or chemical damage to the liver, as well as blockage of the bile ducts and disruption of the gallbladder. The patient is most likely at risk of impaired removal of waste blood from the body, as well as problems with digestion and the cardiovascular system.

As a rule, timely establishment the real reason the appearance of jaundice means a quick recovery without consequences for jaundice in adults. But things don't always go so smoothly. Weakened immunity and heart, elderly age and chronic inflammation of the liver can threaten the health, and even the life of the patient!

Remember that the most successful treatment for jaundice in adults without consequences occurs in the early stages, so if you notice symptoms of jaundice, go see a doctor!

Jaundice is a diagnostic sign of pathological changes in the liver and other organs. Many people believe that “jaundice” is an alternative name for hepatitis, but in medical practice this term refers to the name of many diseases. This pathology is characterized by the appearance of a icteric tint of the skin, which is caused by pathologies of bilirubin metabolism.

Jaundice is a symptom of various diseases, expressed by a change in the shade of the skin and mucous membranes to yellow. The term "jaundice" translated from French means yellow. The change in skin tone is affected by an increased amount of bilirubin. This element is released during the breakdown of red blood cells. From the spleen, bilirubin passes to the liver, takes part in various biochemical processes, and then is excreted.

If a certain stage of its movement is carried out incorrectly, an increase in the amount of bilirubin in the blood occurs, which is why various areas of the skin, mucous membrane, and sclera of the eyes become yellow. When bilirubin breaks down, a yellow pigment is released. If the condition of the body is not disturbed by anything, it is excreted along with other decay products. If there is insufficient liver activity or pathologies of the biliary tract, a large amount of bilirubin is not excreted from the body, but circulates in the blood. Part of this substance exits through the skin and is also excreted through the kidneys. Jaundice color of the skin occurs if the bilirubin level is more than 2.5-3 mg/dl.

On a note! Jaundice is a common disease. It has a high prevalence in countries with hot climates. The likelihood of contracting jaundice increases if hygiene measures are not followed.

Jaundice as a sign of hepatitis

People usually call jaundice hepatitis. This disease occurs under the influence of viruses, characterized not only by the appearance of a yellow tint to the skin, but also by intoxication and pathologies in the functioning of the liver. Hepatitis B and C are highly prevalent. Sometimes diseases arise as a result of aggravation of autoimmune pathologies, toxic damage to the body, and the action of bacteria.

On a note! The incubation period for jaundice often lasts several months. Hepatitis can manifest itself in acute or chronic form.

Types of jaundice

Jaundice manifests itself with the development of various diseases that affect Negative influence on metabolic processes, in particular, the removal of bilirubin. There are several types of true jaundice, which differ clinical picture. Symptoms depend on which organs are affected.

Appears upon destruction large quantity red blood cells, stimulating the production of indirect bilirubin. This phenomenon occurs if the body produces a large number of protective cells, primarily in the spleen, and also when it enlarges. The cause of the disease can be various hemolytic poisons, etc. This type of jaundice is the easiest to diagnose.

Symptoms:

1. The skin turns moderately lemon yellow.
2. There is no skin itching.
3. Anemia develops: the skin and mucous membranes turn pale, the liver may become enlarged.

When diagnosed, urine and feces will be dark in color, and the reaction to bilirubin in it will be negative. A blood test will show elevated levels of serum iron, indirect bilirubin and normal level direct, the number of leukocytes is increased. Cholesterol and liver tests were normal.

On a note! If the amount of bilirubin in the blood constantly increases, the liver cannot cope with its removal, which is why a large amount of this substance remains in the blood.

Diseases and abnormalities that provoke the destruction of excessive amounts of red blood cells:

1. Malaria.
2. Sickle cell disease.
3. Spherocytosis caused by a congenital predisposition.
4. Thalassemia.
5. A large amount of narcotic substances and other toxic elements in the body.
6. Autoimmune pathologies.

Hepatic jaundice

It develops if the liver parenchyma is affected in acute forms of such disorders:

1. Some types of hepatitis.
2. Biliary cirrhosis of the organ.
3. Long-term use of certain drugs or uncontrolled use of drugs that inhibit liver function.
4. Poisoning with toxic substances.
5. Autoimmune mechanisms that destroy cells.
6. Oncological tumors.
7. Retention of bile in the smallest intrahepatic ducts.

Basically, with all of the above diseases, disturbances in the metabolism, uptake and transport of bilirubin, blockage of the bile ducts appear.

Symptoms of the prodromal period last 2-3 weeks. At this time, jaundice gradually increases: the skin acquires a yellowish-reddish tint. First, the eye sclera and soft palate turn yellow, then the skin turns yellow. A person quickly gets tired and loses his appetite. Symptoms of this type of jaundice also include itchy skin, weakness, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. If jaundice lasts for a long time, the bilirubin deposited in the skin will give a green color.

During diagnosis, changes in liver tests are noted, the urine becomes dark, and then becomes lighter due to a decrease in stercobilin in it. The liver is enlarged and painful on palpation. If the disease is severe, it can lead to liver failure.

Subhepatic jaundice

It manifests itself in pathologies of bilirubin excretion into the intestines. As a result, the amount of bilirubin in the body constantly increases.

Negative factors leading to pathologies of bilirubin excretion:

The following signs indicate this type of jaundice:

1. Yellowing of the mucous membranes and skin, hyperpigmentation and the formation of xanthoma.
2. Light-colored stool and the presence of an increased amount of fat in it.
3. Skin itching (more severe than with suprahepatic jaundice).
4. Hypovitaminosis.
5. Cholelithiasis.

During diagnosis, the blood may contain bile acids, the plasma has increased levels of cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, it comes out with urine, staining it dark color. Bile acids can also enter the blood, and the content in the plasma increases. Long-term release of substances contained in bile into the blood can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis.

Risk factors

If you notice that you have a predisposition to the formation of diseases leading to the appearance of jaundice, or often come into contact with people with hepatitis, contact Special attention for the likely occurrence of characteristic symptoms. People suffering from congenital thalassemia or spherocytosis have an increased predisposition to the appearance of jaundice. People who frequently drink alcohol are susceptible to the disease. They may develop hepatitis, pancreatitis, and it is possible that they may develop cirrhosis of the liver, which leads to a jaundiced tint of the skin. People who have frequent contact with people with hepatitis A are predisposed to developing jaundice if they subsequently suffer from liver cancer.

Diagnostic signs of jaundice

Initially, jaundice often does not manifest itself with significant symptoms. Patients contact medical institutions due to yellowing of the skin, pain in the liver, and digestive pathologies. To conduct a competent diagnosis, they are based not only on the signs of the disease, but also collect anamnesis, learn about the diseases that the patient had previously.

Any changes in the body are used as diagnostic criteria. Also important criteria are a decrease in total body weight, bad habits, the likelihood of poisoning with toxic or poisonous substances. Great importance have surgical interventions, injuries to the liver and nearby organs.

On a note! In some cases, diagnosis of the disease is complicated, since its course is influenced by concomitant pathologies and negative environmental factors.

Diagnostic signs of jaundice manifested during physical examination:

1. With cholestasis, scratching appears on the hands.
2. Chronic liver pathology can be identified by pronounced spider veins.
3. Cholesterol deposits visible under the skin indicate metabolic disorders.
4. The hardness of the liver and an increase in size can be noticed upon palpation. These deviations may indicate not only a strong inflammatory process, but also the presence of a tumor or metastases in the organ.

After discovery external signs laboratory and instrumental studies are carried out for jaundice:

Common diagnostic methods:

1. Endoscopy using fluoroscopic equipment.
2. Ultrasound. It is carried out if there is an exacerbation of the symptoms of the disease. It is often used for accurate diagnosis of the condition of patients with an unexpressed clinical picture.
3. X-ray or CT. They make it possible to detect the exact localization of liver tissue destruction and associated pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Liver biopsy. Used in in rare cases. Necessary to clarify changes in cells, confirm or exclude the adverb of a cancerous tumor.

Video - Jaundice

Symptoms of jaundice during pregnancy

If jaundice occurs in pregnant women, patients often complain of a feeling of heartburn, itching, and almost constant nausea. Usually the disease occurs in mild form, if it occurs in 1 month of pregnancy. A complete loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting are possible, causing the woman to lose weight. When jaundice appears for more than later liver or kidney failure occurs. In this case, the disease is more dangerous. Based on the symptoms described above, only a doctor will determine the specific type of jaundice after conducting all the necessary studies.

If jaundice appears, complicated by failure of vital organs, fluid may accumulate in the serous cavity and edema may form. Pathologies during pregnancy can lead to constant bleeding and fetal death. To prevent complications of jaundice during pregnancy, it is necessary to promptly detect the symptoms and treat the pathology.

But in fact, these concepts hide various pathological changes affecting the liver and other organs.

A violation of bilirubin metabolism always leads to the appearance of jaundice. As a result of the development of liver failure and obstruction of the biliary tract, its accumulation in the blood begins.

It is accompanied by yellow discoloration of the sclera and mucous membranes. Only a small amount of bilirubin is excreted through the skin or kidneys.

The disease “jaundice” is one of the most common. It is most often found in countries with warm climates where there are no normal sanitary conditions. It can occur at any age: in adults and children. Jaundice is most common in infants.

Onset of symptoms

In the development of jaundice, the incubation period can take several months. The disease can be acute, protracted or chronic depending on its duration.

Symptoms of jaundice are yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera and mucous membranes. This is due to excess bilirubin in the body. The size of the liver and spleen may also increase. The number of red blood cells in the blood increases.

Jaundice can manifest as changes in the color of urine and stool. A high concentration of bilirubin in the body leads to dark urine and gray stool. Another symptom of the disease is the appearance of itching on the skin.

The patient also experiences spasmodic or nagging pain in the right hypochondrium and loss of appetite.

In what cases may symptoms of jaundice appear?

By jaundice, people usually understand Botkin's disease, which in medicine is called hepatitis A. This viral pathology leads to general intoxication of the body and disrupts liver function. Other types of hepatitis accompanied by jaundice are also known: and. In addition, jaundice can occur in a toxic, bacterial, drug, autoimmune, or mononucleosis form.

Anemia and cirrhosis due to the development of hepatitis or alcoholism often lead to disturbances in the functioning of the liver and gallbladder. Also, jaundice often occurs due to the formation of stones big size in the gallbladder and malignant tumors in the pancreas.

Obstructive jaundice occurs due to impaired removal of bile from the ducts due to the occurrence of malignant tumors, cysts or stones. The patient develops a yellow-green complexion and a fever.

Also, inflammation of nearby lymph nodes often occurs and severe pain appears in the liver area. With this type of jaundice, the patient experiences severe itching on the skin, so he scratches it to the point of wounds. The stool becomes lighter and the urine becomes darker.

Newborns often develop conjugation jaundice, which is caused by a sharp increase in bilirubin content in the body. In some cases this form Jaundice is also observed in adults. This is due to the impact of various negative factors to the liver. One of them is the use of medications. In rare cases, conjugation jaundice refers to congenital pathologies, in particular, Gilbert-Meulengracht syndrome.

Diseases such as lymphocytic leukemia, anemia, lymphosarcoma and tropical malaria lead to the development of hemolytic jaundice. As a result of disturbances in bilirubin metabolism and immaturity of the enzyme system, physiological jaundice occurs in many premature and weakened newborns. It manifests itself in yellowness of the skin, mucous membranes and drowsiness.

Sometimes a baby will develop neonatal jaundice immediately after birth. It may be associated with the accumulation of high amounts of bilirubin in the blood and insufficient ability of the serum to bind it. Another cause of such jaundice is the enzymatic immaturity of hepatocytes. This pathology may require immediate treatment, since indirect bilirubin is a neurotoxic poison. It can cause damage to the cerebral cortex and subcortical nuclei.

Impairment of the structure and functioning of hepatocytes can lead to parenchymal jaundice. This disease occurs due to acute viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. The patient is usually diagnosed with an enlarged liver. In this case, the skin acquires a yellow and subsequently a slightly reddish tint. Spider veins – telangiectasia – appear on the patient’s body.

The disease can be caused by drug-induced liver damage, cirrhosis, viral or alcoholic hepatitis, and the presence of malignant liver tumors. As a result of the development of the disease, loss of appetite, nausea, pain in the right hypochondrium, change in the color of urine and feces, and icteric discoloration of the skin are observed. Drug therapy is selected depending on the cause that led to the development of hepatic jaundice.

Prehepatic jaundice in adults develops due to the rapid breakdown of red blood cells in the body - hemolysis. In human blood, bilirubin levels quickly rise to a maximum. The liver does not have time to process the pigment and it quickly enters the blood, turning the skin, mucous membranes and whites of the eyes yellow. Typically, such jaundice is the result of hereditary diseases or poisoning of the body with certain poisons.

Symptoms of the disease can also include:

• pale skin;
• darkening of stool;
• a significant decrease in red blood cell and hemoglobin levels;
• an increase in the size of the liver and spleen;
• the appearance of pain in the right hypochondrium.

Carotene jaundice does not pose a risk to human health. It is caused by consuming large amounts of foods with carotene, such as pumpkin or carrots. With this type of jaundice, the feet and palms are usually stained. It is very easy to cure such jaundice. By reducing the consumption of these products, the body is cleansed and quickly gets rid of pigmentation.

Conclusion

1. Jaundice in adults is a common group of pathological disorders. They can be associated with a wide variety of diseases.
2. The appearance of a jaundiced discoloration of the skin and pain in the right hypochondrium are serious reasons that should force the patient to urgently consult a doctor. This will help avoid negative consequences and quickly cure the disease.
3. If there are problems in the functioning of certain organs, bilirubin accumulates in the liver and is absorbed back into the blood. It is called indirect bilirubin and has a toxic effect on the entire human body. When bilirubin accumulates in tissues and mucous membranes, they turn yellow and jaundice occurs. This process can continue for several months.
4. The pathogenesis of the disease can only be determined by a doctor through the use of various diagnostic methods.

Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, Infectious disease specialist

Diagnoses, carries out prevention and treatment of stomach ulcers, gastritis, hepatitis, dysbacteriosis, diarrhea, esophagitis, pancreatitis, flatulence, constipation, colitis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.