Causes
Jaundice occurs when excess bilirubin builds up in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow-brown colored substance in the bile that is formed during the body's normal process of breaking down red blood cells. Bile is a liquid that carries waste products (including bilirubin) away from the liver. It also helps break down fats in the small intestine.
There are several reasons why too much bilirubin can build up in the blood. They include:
- Excess breakdown of red blood cells, which can occur in:
-
A blockage in or near the liver that prevents the flow of bile, such as:
- Gallstones or pancreatitis
- A tumor in the liver or bile duct
- Cancer in the pancreas
- Congenital defects, including biliary atresia
- Pregnancy
Liver, Gallbladder, and Bile duct
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Liver damage caused by:
- Viral hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Adverse effects of certain medications or environmental toxins
- In babies, insufficient amounts of a certain liver enzyme during the first two weeks of life, possibly made worse by breastfeeding
- Inherited metabolic disorders, including Gilbert's, Crigler-Nager, and Dubin-Johnson syndromes
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The risk factors for jaundice are those that increase the risk for liver and gallbladder disorders. They include:
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Use of illegal drugs
- Taking medications that may harm the liver
- Exposure to hepatitis A (through contaminated food or water), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C (through contaminated needles or unsafe sex)
- Exposure to certain industrial chemicals
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