Jaundice
Definition:
Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes and of the white of the eyes caused by elevated levels of the chemical bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). The term jaundice is derived from the French word jaune, which means yellow. Jaundice is not a disease per se, but rather a visible sign of an underlying disease process.
Signs & Symptoms:
The most pervasive sign of jaundice is a yellow tinge to the skin and sclerae (whites of the eyes). This usually starts at the head and spreads down the body.
Symptoms of jaundice include:
Yellow tinge to the skin and the whites of the eyes
Pruritis (itchiness)
Fatigue
Abdominal pain – typically indicates a blockage of the bile duct.
Weight loss
Vomiting
Fever
Paler than usual stools
Dark urine.
Cause:
Jaundice most often occurs as a result of an underlying disorder that either causes tissues to become over-saturated with bilirubin or prevents the liver from disposing of bilirubin.
Some underlying conditions that may cause jaundice are:
Acute inflammation of the liver – may impair the ability of the liver to conjugate and secrete bilirubin, resulting in a buildup of bilirubin.
Inflammation of the bile duct – may prevent the secretion of bile and removal of bilirubin, causing jaundice.
Obstruction of the bile duct – prevents the liver from disposing of bilirubin, which results in hyperbilirubinemia.
Hemolytic anemia – Production of bilirubin increases when large quantities of erythrocytes are broken down.
Gilbert’s syndrome – an inherited condition that impairs the ability of enzymes (biomolecules that provoke chemical reactions between substances) to process the excretion of bile.
Cholestasis-a condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is interrupted. The bile containing conjugated bilirubin remains in the liver instead of being excreted.
How To Cure:
The following are some natural foods that are effective in Jaundice.
Tomato juice: One glass of tomato juice, mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper, taken on empty stomach in the morning is a very effective home cure for jaundice.
Radish leaves: Radish leaves contain compounds which induces appetite and regularises the bowel movements. Take some radish leaves and extract juice from it, with the help of a sieve. Drink about half a litre of the extracted juice daily, in about ten days the patient should get relief from the disease.
Papaya leaves: Add one tablespoon of honey to one teaspoon of papaya leaves paste. Eat this regularly for about one or two weeks. This is a very effective home cure for jaundice.
Sugarcane: The properties in sugarcane helps in proper digestion and proper liver functioning, thereby helping the patient to recover quickly from jaundice. Take a glass of sugarcane juice and add some lime juice to this. Drink this juice twice daily for better results. Ensure to clean sugarcane properly before extracting juice from it.
Basil leaves: Take about 10-15 basil leaves and make a paste of it. Add half a glass of freshly prepared radish juice to it. Drink this daily for about two to three weeks for better results.
Gooseberry: Gooseberry is rich in vitamin C and is a very useful in alleviating the symptoms of jaundice.
Barley: Boil a cup of barley water in about three litres of water and allow it to simmer for about three hours. Drink this water as frequently as possible throughout the day for treatment of jaundice.
Lemon: The anti inflammatory property in lemon helps in treating jaundice. Lemon also unblocks the bile ducts , thereby making it the most effective home remedy for jaundice. Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons and add it to a glass of water. Drink this minimum thrice a day , as it protects the liver cells from damage.
Pigeon peas leaves: Extract juice from pigeon pea leaves by crushing them and take at least 60ml of this juice daily for treating jaundice. The leguminous beans of these are also very nutritive and can be added in the diet.
