Beware of Jaundice

We often refer jaundice as a malady but in reality it is an indication from the body that all is not well from inside the body and there is development of some kind of illness in the body. Scientifically, jaundice is usually referred to as Hepatitis B. Jaundice develops due to escalating level of bilirubin. It has been put in the category of seasonal infections that starts occurring due to change of weather or drinking grimy water or eating contaminated food. Jaundice is generally classified under the category of ‘water borne diseases’.

Jaundice starts developing when the level of bilirubin which is a kind of yellowish substances present inside the bile increases manifold in body. In such cases, liver becomes overloaded with worn out red blood cells, thereby reducing the capacity of liver. It is emitted in both the urine as well as bile. In jaundice, surface of the entire skin, urine and also white portion of both the eyes starts turning yellow. Jaundice can also occur due to some blood related disease, adverse effect of a medicine or infection in liver.

Symptoms of Jaundice are easy to identify. However, it is better to diagnose it through recommended medical tests. The affected person suffers from drowsiness, fever, recurrent vomiting, reduced appetite and dark yellow colour of urine as well as that of above mentioned parts of the body.

Nonetheless, jaundice can be easily prevented by exercising very simple health related precautions. Here, the role of public and personal hygiene is extremely important. Whenever you start eating or drinking or have come home from outside, make sure to wash your hands with a good ant-bacterial soap or solution so as to cleanse your hands from any sought of germs.

Never drink or eat anything from a place which does not maintain proper hygiene standards. As a precautionary measure, vaccination is also available for prevention of jaundice. Drinking clean water itself  is the biggest remedy.

Summer season is the breeding ground for the spread of diseases like jaundice, so it is best to minimize the intake of oily and spicy food. Even vegetables that we eat in raw or cooked form must be washed with water and then boiled thoroughly to kill any germs.