Jaundice is a commonly occurring medical condition. The incidence of jaundice is associated with the level of bilirubin in the blood. As part of the general functioning of the human body, the RBCs are manufactured and destroyed in a regular cycle. On aging of RBC, the process of destruction of the RBCs release the oxygen carrying molecule called hemoglobin.

Bilirubin is produced as a byproduct of this very process. Bilirubin being a waste product needs to be removed from the body, a function that is taken care of by the liver. Bilirubin goes to the liver and is thereafter secreted into the bile in the form of conjugated bilirubin. Eventually, this conjugated bilirubin is excreted from the body in the form of feces. The brown color of the feces is a resultant of the presence of bilirubin in it.

There could be various reasons for the elevation in the quantity of bilirubin in the body. There can be conditions wherein the body ends up producing such high levels of bilirubin that may not be proportionately eliminated. One such disease that leads to this situation is referred to as hemolytic anemia in which the red blood cells are destroyed at an abnormally high rate, subsequently resulting in high levels of bilirubin. Any infection or disease of the liver can also hamper its functioning or ability to eliminate the adequate amount of bilirubin. Lastly, obstruction in the bile ducts due to reasons such as cancer, gall bladder stones and swelling, can also reduce the flow of bile and bilirubin towards the intestines for excretion.

The first few symptoms of jaundice include yellowing of the skin and white portion of the eyes called sclera. The discoloration is directly related to the quantity of bilirubin. The higher the bilirubin level, the darker is the staining. Other indications include dark colored urine, appetite loss, having a bitter after taste in the mouth, having a fur like coating on the tongue, pale and foul smelling feces, nausea, itchy skin, low pulse rate, sluggishness, and confusion. 

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