Jaundice

 This is a yellow discoloration of the skin that is caused by high levels in blood of a chemical bilirubin.When the level of bilirubin is high, they tend to be brown .Jaundice is not a disease, but a symptom that can occur in many different diseases. Jaundice is frequently seen in liver disease such as hepatitis . It may also indicate leptospirosis.Yellow discoloration especially on the palms and the soles, but not of the sclera and mucous membranes  is due to carotenemia, a harmless condition.

  Jaundice is classified into three categories depending on which part of the physiological mechanism the pathology affects. They are Pre-hepatic/ hemolytic, Hepatic/ hepatocellular, Post-Hepatic/ cholestatic.

  Symptoms of jaundice commonly include:

Cancers may produce no symptoms, or there may be fatigue, weight loss

  • Dark colored urine
  • Hepatitis may produce nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or other symptoms
  • Pale/clay-colored stools
  • Yellow color inside the mouth
  • Yellow skin and the white part of the eyes

 Treatment depends on the cause of the jaundice.

 Hepatitis

 Hepatitis is often used to refer to a viral infection of the liver. It often leads to anorexia, jaundice and malaise. 

 Hepatitis can be caused by:

  • Medications, like overdose of acetaminophen
  • Liver damage from alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, or any other poisons
  • Infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, B, or C), bacteria
  • Immune cells in the body attacking the liver and causing autoimmune hepatitis

 Symptoms of hepatitis include:

  • Weight loss
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • General itching
  • Fever, usually low-grade
  • Fatigue
  • Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools
  • Breast development in males
  • Abdominal pain or distention

 Treatments depend on the cause of your liver disease.

 Abdominal Tuberculosis

 TB  is caused by various strains of mycobacteria, Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but latter also affects other parts of the body.Tuberculosis can involve the entire GI including the  pancreatobiliary  and peritoneum system.The Abdominal TB is seen commonly between 25 and 45 years of age.

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal distension
  • Abdominal pain
  • Anorexia
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Malaise
  • Severe fever
  • Weight loss

 Treatment

 It is treated with atleast 3-4 anti TB drugs for first two months and then with 2 anti TB drugs for atleast 8-10 months

 Mal-absorption

 Mal-absorption is difficulty in absorbing nutrients from food across the tract. Three basic categories of Mal-absorption are selective (seen in lactose malabsorption), partial (observed in a-Beta-lipoproteinaemia) and total (as in coeliac disease).

Causes of Mal-absorption

  • AIDS and HIV
  • Biliary atresia
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Cholestasis
  • Certain types of cancer  like lymphoma, pancreatic cancer etc
  • Certain medications like cholestyramine, tetracycline etc
  • Celiac disease
  • Cow's milk protein intolerance
  • Crohn's disease
  • Damage from radiation treatments
  • Parasite infection
  • Whipple's disease

Vitamin B12 mal-absorption is due to:

  • Tapeworm infection
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Bowel resection

Symptoms:

  • Weight loss
  • Failure to thrive
  • Fatty stools
  • Muscle wasting
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Bulky stools
  • Bloating, cramping, and gas

Treatment:

Vitamin and nutrient replacement is necessary.

Long-term mal-absorption can result other diseases like:

  • Anemia
  • Gallstones
  • Kidney stones
  • Osteoporosis and bone disease
  • Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies