Hepatocellular jaundice is caused by a dysfunctional liver that cannot metabolize bilirubin, leading to a yellow tint in the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. It can be caused by various diseases and conditions, including excessive alcohol consumption, hepatitis, and autoimmune diseases. Diagnosis involves blood tests, X-rays, and scans. Prevention includes reducing alcohol consumption, vaccinating against hepatitis, and safe food handling practices.
Hepatocellular jaundice defines a yellow tint to the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes caused by a dysfunctional liver. The condition occurs when too much bilirubin is produced or when the liver cannot metabolize bilirubin and excrete it from the body as bile. Bilirubin is a byproduct produced by red blood cells, which the liver converts into bile for excretion in the urine.
Many diseases and conditions can lead to hepatocellular jaundice, including hepatitis, malaria, cirrhosis, and autoimmune diseases. Blockages in the bile ducts could also cause the skin to turn yellow due to excessive bilirubin. Doctors typically test patients to find out the underlying condition causing hepatocellular jaundice.
Liver jaundice could result from excessive use of alcohol which damages the liver. Hepatitis B or C could also affect liver function and lead to hepatocellular jaundice, along with some drugs and toxins in chemicals. Malaria increases the number of red blood cells and can hinder the liver’s ability to metabolize the excess bilirubin produced as a byproduct.
Conditions defined as posthepatic jaundice usually focus on blockages in the biliary tract. Gallstones could form in the bile ducts and prevent the bile from being released into the intestines for excretion. Pancreatitis, defined as inflammation of the pancreas, sometimes causes blockages in the duct that leads from the pancreas to the liver. Cancer of the liver or related internal organs might also block the bile ducts and increase blood bilirubin levels.
Neonatal hepatocellular jaundice occurs in infants born with immature livers. The condition usually goes away within a few days after exposure to colored light. If hepatocellular jaundice in newborns is caused by a blood type incompatibility between mother and baby, blood transfusions may be needed. Some babies might be born with birth defects in the liver or bile ducts that often need surgery to correct.
During the diagnosis process, doctors typically check blood levels of bilirubin and red blood cell counts. A hepatitis test and anemia screening may also be done. X-rays or scans of the abdomen could indicate a blockage in the gallbladder or pancreas from stones or tumors. These tests could also show liver damage from other disorders.
Hepatocellular jaundice may be prevented by reducing alcohol consumption and vaccinating against hepatitis. People traveling to a region where malaria is present should be vaccinated against the disease. Safe food handling practices could prevent contamination that causes hepatitis A. Avoiding intravenous drugs and risky sex could prevent autoimmune diseases caused by viruses.
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