Yellowing of the eye
It is said that the eye is the mirror of health, through which it is possible to identify the health status of the human being in general. The visible part of the eye consists of the pupil; the dark part of the center of the eye, the iris; the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil, and the solid, the white part of the eye that surrounds the iris. The body may be exposed to a condition that causes solid yellowing and iris. This is called jaundice, which occurs when the proportion of bilirubin in the blood increases.
Bilirubin produces the breakdown of hemoglobin – the main component of red blood cells responsible for the transport of oxygen – in the liver. Normally, bilirubin travels from the liver to the bile duct and into the intestine to be removed outside the body with the stool. Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Causes of yellowing of the eye
Jaundice, which causes yellowing of the eye, results from several disorders in the body, including:
- Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition that occurs when the liver is infected with a pox due to the accumulation of collagen protein in it, and the causes of cirrhosis of the liver:
- Alcohol abuse.
- Accumulation of fat in liver cells.
- Hemochromatosis, a disease in which the concentration of iron in the blood increases and builds up in the tissues of the body.
- Alagille syndrome is a genetic disorder in the digestive system.
- Chronic viral hepatitis B, C, and less hepatitis A and D.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Glycogen storage disease; a genetic disorder in the metabolism of sugar.
- Hepatitis A itself; an inflammation of the liver resulting from an excessive reaction of the immune system in the patient’s body against liver cells.
- Primary gallbladder cirrhosis, a disease that results in destruction of the bile duct.
- Infection of parasites, such as, schistosomiasis.
- Take some medications, such as methotrexate.
- Wilson’s disease, a genetic defect caused by the accumulation of copper in liver tissue.
- Bile ductile dysfunction, a congenital defect that results in bile duct obstruction.
- Blockage of the gallbladder (bile duct) leading to the accumulation of bile material, and the blockage of gallbladder is caused by:
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the portal of the liver.
- Inflammation and narrowing of bile ducts.
- Be gravel in the gallbladder.
- Bile duct tumors.
- Pelvic canal duct.
- Worms grow in the bile duct, causing clogging.
- Pancreatic duct obstruction, resulting in several medical conditions including pancreatic cancer.
- Blood disorders, which affect the rate and age of red blood cell production, such as:
Symptoms of jaundice
In addition to the yellowing of the skin and the hardness of the eye there are other symptoms of jaundice, including:
- Color of pale stool due to lack of bilirubin.
- Bleeding in the rectum.
- Poor appetite and weight loss.
- Confusion.
- Abdominal pain and head.
- Fever and chills.
- Dark urine color.
- The feeling of itching in the skin.
- Feel tired and tired.
- Swelling of the legs, and abdomen due to fluid accumulation.
- Diarrhea.
Diagnosis of jaundice
The doctor can diagnose jaundice through the following tests:
- Check signs of liver disease such as:
- The presence of an angiocytoma, a coagulation of blood clotted or subcutaneous under the skin.
- Bruises in the skin
- Spinal erythema: Redness of the palm of the hands and fingertips.
- Check the urine sample to detect the presence of bilirubin.
- Blood test includes:
- Ultrasound imaging of the liver.
- Computed tomography of the liver (CT).
- Liver biopsy.
- Imaging of the liver magnetic resonance (MRI).
- Check liver enzymes to detect bile duct obstruction, or hepatitis.
Treatment of jaundice
The treatment of jaundice depends on the knowledge of the cause of the disease and treatment, and treatment of complications that may result from, and relieve symptoms, and methods of treatment of jaundice:
- Give the patient fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Treatment using antibiotics, antiviral drugs.
- Blood transfusion.
- Antihypertensive drugs and vomiting.
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- The doctor may seek surgery, and transplant the patient’s liver.
Prevention of jaundice
Jaundice can be prevented by:
- Avoid alcohol.
- Obtain the hepatitis B vaccine and (A).
- Avoid practices that include the risk of transmission of hepatitis B as unprotected sex, or injecting drug use.
- Avoid drugs and toxins that cause hemolysis, or cause liver damage.
- Avoid contaminated water and food that may cause hepatitis A.
Yellowing of the eyes in newborns
On the second or third day of childbirth, some children become infected with yellowing of the eyes due to lack of maturity of the liver enough to get rid of bilirubin in the blood, causing jaundice. This type of jaundice is called “physiological jaundice.” In some cases, Like:
- Liver dysfunction.
- Deficiency of enzymes in the body.
- Internal bleeding.
- Blood poisoning.
- Infection of a child with a bacterial or viral infection.
- Red blood cells break.
- Incompatibility between maternal and child blood.
When to see your doctor
Sometimes jaundice may indicate that the child has other serious illnesses, so parents should see a doctor if the following signs appear on the child:
- The spread of jaundice towards the lower back, below the knees.
- The child’s nervousness increases and the difficulty of calming him or, on the contrary, the difficulty of awakening the child.
- Frequent crying of the child.
- Stiffen the child’s muscles, or curl his back back.
Treatment of jaundice in neonates
Although jaundice in infants is often normal, bilirubin accumulation can damage the nervous system that can not be repaired. Juvenile jaundice can be treated by exposing the body to ultraviolet light that breaks down bilirubin into other products that the body can easily dispose of, and to ensure breastfeeding to provide the baby with adequate fluids.
Learn more about why your eyes are yellowing.