Ask a doctor - What is jaundice?

Q. What is jaundice?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes. This yellow discoloration is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a yellow-orange pigment that is formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin and excretes it in bile, but when there is an issue with this process, bilirubin can accumulate in the body, leading to jaundice.

There are several potential causes of jaundice, including liver diseases (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis), blockage of the bile ducts, hemolytic anemia (accelerated breakdown of red blood cells), and other conditions that affect the normal metabolism or excretion of bilirubin.

Jaundice itself is not a disease but rather a symptom of an underlying medical problem. It is important to identify and address the root cause of jaundice to effectively treat the condition. Symptoms of jaundice may also include dark urine, pale stools, fatigue, and abdominal pain, depending on the underlying cause. Diagnosis and management of jaundice typically involve medical evaluation, blood tests, and sometimes imaging studies.