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The liver has many functions, one of which is to break down worn out and damaged red blood cells. If the liver fails, it is unable to break down the hemoglobin pigment in the old RBCs completely. The pigment turns from a bright red color to a yellow color and the yellow color circulates in the blood. If the concentration gets high enough (which it will in liver failure), the yellow pigment starts to settle out into the skin, eyes, tongue, etc where we see it and call it jaundice or icterus.

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Can jaundice kill teens?

Jaundice is a symptom of liver failure. It doesn't happen often, but it is possible for teens to die from liver failure. So jaundice must be taken seriously.


Why would somebody turn yellow when on cocaine?

Yellow skin, also known as jaundice, is a symptom of liver failure. This is not a typical problem with cocaine but it can happen.


What is the degenerative disease that frequently results in jaundice and ultimately liver failure?

The degenerative disease that frequently results in jaundice and ultimately liver failure is cirrhosis. This condition is characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, leading to a loss of liver function and potential liver failure. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, is a common symptom of liver dysfunction in cirrhosis.


What organs does Jaundice affect?

Liver failure (typically "Acute Liver Failure"), and Pancreatic Cancer causes Jaundice, a Yellowing of the skin or of the whites of the eyes more correctly called conjunctival icterus.


The degenerative disease that frequently results in jaundice and ultimately liver failure is?

Cirrhosis


What is the degenerative disease that frequently results and jaundice and ultimately liver failure?

Cirrhosis


What would happen if the body liver failed?

If your liver fails, you develop jaundice in which your skin and eyes turn yellow. If not treated, death is imminent. Your liver is essential to survival. Hence the name; LIVEr.


Can you get jaundice by kissing?

Jaundice is a descriptive term for yellow skin. Your skin won't turn yellow from kissing someone. If the cause of their jaundice is an infectious diease, you may contract it from kissing. The viral hepatitis infections are not spread by kissing.


What drugs cause jaundice?

Jaundice means yellowing. The skin is yellow. Even the whites of the eyes are yellow. These are both seen in jaundice. This is due to high bilirubin levels from liver diseaseand cancer of the liver. Gall stones can block the gall ducts and also cause this.


How did they name yellow fever?

They named it yellow fever because one of the symptoms is liver failure that causes jaundice of the skin and eyes. Jaundice causes a yellow tint.


Jaundice Is transmitted disease?

if its caused by hepatitis virus then it is like infection so it is transmitted,but if it is caused by liver failure then it is not transmitted


When was jaundice discovered?

Jaundice is a symptom, often the result of liver failure and a buildup of bilirubin -- a red-yellow salt, in which the skin and sclera appear yellowed. This symptom has been observed for thousands of years.