Yellow eye may indicate liver or bile duct problems
Changing eye color is a symptom that can indicate several health problems. When the white part of the eye (sclera) acquires a yellowish color, for example, it is called jaundice. Typically this occurs due to an excess of bilirubin, a substance produced in the liver by the destruction of red blood cells, stored in the gallbladder to be eliminated in feces or urine.
“When bilirubin is not processed properly and accumulates in the bloodstream, it is deposited in tissues such as the skin and mucous membranes, especially in the eye region, causing them to turn yellow. This phenomenon is a sign that the liver or blood vessels have bile i ducts do not function properly, resulting in difficulty in eliminating bilirubin from the body”, explains Roberto Launde Pimentel, ophthalmologist and professor of Medicine at the Unime Lauro de Freitas.
Jaundice can be a sign of several diseases and seeking a specialist should be urgent. Below, check out some of its causes:
1. Liver diseases
THE liver plays a crucial role in the treatment of bilirubin. When it is compromised, as occurs in conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer, the substance is not eliminated properly, causing the skin and eyes to turn yellow.
2. Hematological diseases
Jaundice can also be caused by diseases that affect the production of blood cells, such as hemolytic anemias, in which red blood cells break down more rapidly than normal, releasing excess bilirubin.
3. Biliary tract problems
Conditions that block the flow of bile, such as gallstones or bile duct cancer, can also lead to the buildup of bilirubin in the blood, causing jaundice.
4. Gilbert’s syndrome
It’s a genetic condition common in which the liver fails to process the problematic bilirubin, causing occasional episodes of jaundice, which are usually not serious.
Diagnosis and treatment from jaundice
Although jaundice is not a disease, it is an important sign that something is not working properly in the body, and medical advice is essential, especially if the symptom persists or is accompanied by other signs, such as abdominal pain, nausea, fever or whitish. stools.
“The diagnosis is made through blood tests and ultrasounds abdominal or other specific tests depending on the suspected condition. Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause of the jaundice and can involve any therapy, from drugs to control infection or inflammation, to surgical interventions in more serious cases”, concludes the specialist.
By Nicola Montini PereirTHE
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
