Ever met a person with yellow eyes and yellow skin? That person may be suffering from jaundice. This disease is able to turn the white part of the eyes and the skin yellow and it affects both babies and adults. This article focuses mostly on how to get rid of jaundice in adults. Adults usually get jaundice when the amount of bilirubin in their body is in excess. Bilirubin is a yellow or orange substance that is found in the blood cells (red). At the death of these cells, the liver swings into action by filtering them from the blood. But in the case where something goes wrong and the liver is unable to do this then bilirubin accumulates and causes the yellow color of the skin.
Causes of Jaundice in Adults
Diagnosis of jaundice is done by conducting some series of test like a bilirubin test. This test would measure the quantity of bilirubin in the blood. A complete blood count test may be done and some other tests for the liver. A high level of bilirubin indicates jaundice. The doctor may also request medical history and your symptoms. There might also be a need for physical examination, all these are needed to help come up with the right diagnosis.
Below are some of the causes of jaundice in adults:
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an infection that is usually viral. There are two types of hepatitis, the acute type or the chronic type. Acute hepatitis only lasts for a short period of time while chronic hepatitis happens over a long period of time like six months.cause of hepatitis can include autoimmune disorders or drugs. With time this can harm the liver leading to jaundice.
Liver disease (alcohol-related)
Drinking too much alcohol for a long period of time can be harmful to the liver. Alcoholic cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis are two of the health conditions that can arise from alcoholism.
Obstructed bile ducts
Inside the body, there are some tiny tubes that transport bile away from the gallbladder and the liver into your small intestine. This passage can sometimes get blocked or obstructed by cancer, uncommon liver disease or gallstones. This can cause jaundice.
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer can cause blockage of the bile duct and this causes jaundice. This type of cancer has been recorded as the 9thmost common in women and 10thin men.
Certain medicines
Thee are some specific drugs that have been associated with liver disease. This drug includes steroids, pills for birth control, acetaminophen, and penicillin.
How to Get Rid of Jaundice
There is no particular treatment for jaundice rather it is what caused it that can be treated. Jaundice is more like a signal to an existing health condition, it could be that the liver is not functioning properly or some other health issues. If for instance, the cause of jaundice is an infection like malaria or hepatitis C, the doctor may administer antibiotics, antivirals or antifungal.
If jaundice resulted from alcoholism or the use of drugs then the patient will have to quit or reduce consumption. Dietary habits may also lead to jaundice, if this is the case then the person will have to eat more vegetables, beans, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, and legumes.
The treatment for jaundice that occurs due to organ damages may include radiation, blood transfusions, surgery, and chemotherapy.
Home Remedies
The liver, pancreas, intestines, or gallbladder conditions are usually linked to yellow eyes. It is better to ascertain a diagnosis from your doctor.
If a jaundice diagnosis is given then there are some adjustments that you can make in your lifestyle to ease the function of these organs thus helping to relieve symptoms.
These adjustments include;
- Staying hydrated
- Eating sufficient dietary fibers. You can find it in in vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, legumes, and beans
- Consume more of lean proteins like legumes, nuts, and fish
- Stay away from packaged or processed foods
- Stay away from high trans and saturated fats
- Avoid carbohydrates that have been refined, they can be found in candies and baked sugary goods
- Limit or totally do away with alcohol
- Stop using products of tobacco or smoking
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid using illegal or hard drugs or abusing medication prescription
Some natural remedies have been recommended for jaundice. However, the available research supporting these natural remedies are either lacking or weak.
Here are some natural supplements that are usually recommended to aid liver problems;
- Licorice root
- Milk thistle
- Coffee
- Vitamin E
- Naringenin which can be found in grapefruits and tomatoes
- Resveratrol found in wine, berries, and grapes.
If you begin to notice yellow skin or eyes first go see a doctor before treating yourself with any of these remedies. Remember a diagnosis needs to be made first and the real battle is not the yellow skin but the health condition that causes it. Most of these conditions require medical attention and can not be treated with home remedies.
If the cause is not treated several complications may arise like organ failure and tissue damage. Eyes with dark yellow color require urgent medical attention. Note that the adult cases of jaundice are rare but do happen especially with the cause that has been outlined above.
Summary
The best tip on how to get rid of jaundice in adults is to first get a diagnosis. Once the cause is discovered the next step is to administer treatment for that health issue. The patient has to comply with the doctor’s instructions. Do not miss medications, carry out all the requested test, don’t try any home or natural remedy without first consulting your doctor as it could worsen your condition. Early diagnosis and treatment are much better this is why you should report changes in your body as soon as you notice them.
