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According to the UK National Health Service and a number of other sources, the medical name for jaundice is icterusA,B,C and it is caused by a build up of a substance known as bilirubin in the blood.A,B,C Bilirubin is a waste productB (normally yellow in colour)A,B,C that forms during the breakdown of red blood cells (specifically the breakdown and removal of iron from haemoglobin)A,B and is normally extracted from blood by the liver and then filtered by the kidneys before being excreted in urine.A

If for some reason bilirubin cannot be removed from blood by the liver, then it builds up in the body and can cause a yellowish tint to the skin and the whites of the eyes.A,B In more severe jaundice the sclerae (the whites of the eyes) may even turn brown.B

Jaundice is relatively common in new born babies and is a result of their liver being underdeveloped and so not fully functional. This type of jaundice usually requires no treatment and is not serious, usually lasting only a week.A

It should be noted that jaundice itself is not a disease, rather it is a symptom of other underlying conditions.A,B,C As such it cannot be treated directly, it is instead necessary to treat the underlying causes of jaundice.A,B

There are three main types of jaundice which are divided into groups based on their underlying causes. Information on these (taken from the UK NHS website) is summarised below:A

1. Hepatocellular jaundice

This occurs when bilirubin remains within the liver, rather than travelling to the kidneys for removal from the body. This can be caused by liver failure, liver disease (cirrhosis), hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) or by taking certain medication. This is the most common type of jaundice.

2. Haemolytic jaundice

This occurs when an excess of bilirubin is produced due to the break down of a large number of red blood cells. This may be due to anaemia or a problem with metabolism and a number of other conditions.

3. Obstructive jaundice

This occurs when the bile duct becomes blocked preventing bilirubin from leaving the liver. This is usually caused by gallstones, a cyst or a tumour of the bile duct or pancreas.

Sources:

A Jaundice - An Overview: UK National Health Service Website.

B What is Jaundice?: MedicineNet.com.

C Jaundice: Wikipedia Entry.

Please see related links
"acerbity", "acrimony", "bitterness", "icterus", "tartness" and "thorniness"
Jaundice can be described as a yellowing of the skin and eyes.

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9y ago

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