Introduction
Jaundice is an unnatural yellowing of the skin or the conjunctiva of the eyes and the mucous membranes, which is caused by an increase in the metabolic product bilirubin. If the total bilirubin in the body rises to values above 2 mg/dl, yellowing is triggered.
Jaundice therapy
Due to the very many different causes of jaundice, numerous therapeutic approaches can help to reduce jaundice. The therapies mentioned above are possible treatments for jaundice but are not suitable for every potential underlying cause. The focus should always be on the causal therapy of the causal disease.
For the treatment of jaundice, the underlying disease should be treated first. If it is a bile duct stone that prevents the outflow of bile acid, the passage must be ensured by salvaging the stone. Since the pancreatic tumor is a very serious disease, which is often already in the final stage of pancreatic cancer at the time of diagnosis, the only option is often to insert a so-called stent.
This is a tube that is inserted between the pancreas and the bile duct and is intended to ensure the flow of acids again. Hepatitis either heals on its own or is treated with antiviral therapy. In the case of hemolyticus neonatorum (neonatal icterus), light irradiation is applied to the newborn for a few hours. Unfortunately, there are no known therapies for the numerous so-called hyperbilirubinemias.
- Phototherapy with blue light
- Blood exchange transfusion
- Change of diet to light whole food
- Avoid harmful foods like alcohol and fatty foods
- Avoid liver-damaging drugs in consultation with the doctor
- Protection against liver-damaging infectious diseases, e.g. hepatitis B vaccination
- Regular breastfeeding of an infant to prevent neonatal jaundice
These home remedies can help
In principle, jaundice is a serious symptom that can indicate serious diseases of the blood, liver or other organs. If serious causes have been excluded by a doctor, home remedies can be used in addition to medical treatment to improve jaundice. Some foods stimulate dehydration and can thus speed up the excretion of bilirubin.
These include lemon, cucumber, watermelon, celery or asparagus. Low sugar levels may be caused by liver damage, which can be corrected with fast-acting sugars in food under a doctor’s prescription. Other foods that can protect the liver and detoxify the body include almonds, ginger, tomatoes and turmeric.
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