Jaundice: Information & jaundice specialists

Jaundice (medically known as icterus) is the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes and sclera (conjunctiva of the eyes). It is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin (bile pigment) in these tissues. The causes can be very diverse. Accordingly, there are also various treatment methods.

Here you will find further information and selected jaundice specialists.

Symptoms of jaundice

Typical and eponymous for jaundice is the yellowing

• of the skin,
• the mucous membranes and
• the conjunctiva of the eyes.

The yellow coloration is caused by an accumulation of bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin is a yellowish bile pigment that is produced when the body breaks down haemoglobin, the red blood pigment. The body normally excretes bilirubin via the liver and bile ducts.

If this does not happen, the bilirubin remains in the body and leads to jaundice.

Pain may also occur. A painless jaundice can be an indication of a malignant tumor disease (e.g. pancreatic cancer).

If jaundice remains untreated, bilirubin can enter the bloodstream. This can lead to sepsis(blood poisoning).

A special feature of cholestatic (occlusive) jaundice is that it leads to

• discoloration of the stool and
• darkening of the urine ("beer-brown" urine).

Jaundice is noticeable, among other things, by yellow discolored eyeballs © blackday | AdobeStock

What causes jaundice?

Various disease processes are possible causes of jaundice, such as

• Prehepatic (haemolytic) jaundice: increased breakdown (e.g. due to medication) of red blood cells leads to increased haemoglobin being released and broken down. This leads to an increase in bilirubin.
• Hepatocellular (parenchymal) jaundice: Inability of the liver cells to sufficiently excrete the bilirubin produced, e.g. in hepatitis or liver cirrhosis
• Cholestatic (occlusive) jaundice: disruption of bile outflow due to e.g. bile duct stones, liver tumors or pancreatic tumors

Diagnostics for suspected jaundice

Laboratory tests show an increase in liver and bile values as well as the bile pigment. However, they cannot provide any indication of the cause.

Further examination methods of choice are

• Ultrasound,
• computer and magnetic resonance imaging and
• ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography): visualizes the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct.

Treatment of jaundice

Jaundice can have different causes. There are therefore various treatment options. The aim of therapy is to treat the cause. This also causes the jaundice to disappear.

In the case of prehepatic (haemolytic) jaundice, for example, the triggering medication is omitted as therapy.

If hepatitis is the cause of jaundice, the treatment also depends on the cause of the hepatitis, such as

• viruses,
• medication,
• alcohol,
• blood lipids.

In the case of liver cirrhosis as the cause of jaundice, absolute abstinence from alcohol is the treatment of choice. In the final stage, liver transplantation is the only chance of a permanent cure.

Interventional and surgical methods are used for cholestatic jaundice.

ERCP is the treatment of choice for bile duct stones; in a few cases, surgical correction of the bile duct is necessary. Tumors of the liver or pancreas can be surgically removed (depending on their size and extent).