Starfruit Juice
suggested by Pragya on Thursday, March 1, 2007
Jaundice is a symptom that can develop as part of various diseases. It refers to the yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes. This happens when levels of the chemical bilirubin increase in the bloodstream. Mild elevation in bilirubin levels causes the skin to become yellow. When bilirubin levels are very high, the skin takes on a brown or yellow hue. Jaundice can be categorized into three main types, hepatocellular, hemolytic and obstructive jaundice. Hepatocellular jaundice occurs when injury or disease affects the liver. Hemolytic jaundice develops when the breakdown of red blood cells takes place at an accelerated pace. Obstructive jaundice is the result of a blockage in the tubes that transport bile between the liver, gallbladder and small intestines. Such an obstruction does not allow the bilirubin to leave the liver and this leads to jaundice.
The most prominent of all jaundice symptoms is the yellowish staining of the skin and whites of the eyes. This discoloration first becomes discernible in the facial region and then spreads across the body. Some of the other common symptoms of jaundice include:
Jaundice commonly develops in babies, usually soon after birth. Infants affected with jaundice may have yellowing of the skin, but this may be difficult to identify since the skin tone of babies is different from adults. Jaundice tests are usually done 36 hours after birth. One can also tell if a baby has jaundice by gently pressing the infant's forehead. If the skin appears yellow in the area that was pressed, it is possible that the baby has jaundice. In case other symptoms such as persistent crying, listlessness and poor feeding are present, it is important for the child to receive medical care.
Jaundice mainly occurs when an underlying condition affects the bilirubin levels in the blood. In some cases, the liver is unable to remove bilirubin while in other cases; bilirubin may accumulate in the tissues. Some of the underlying disorders that may result in jaundice include:
There are also some rare disorders that can lead to jaundice. These include:
The treatment of jaundice usually begins after diagnosing the underlying cause. The treatment will then be aimed at resolving the specific cause. Jaundice that occurs due to anemia may be treated by elevating the iron levels in the blood through iron supplements or with the intake of foods rich in iron. Jaundice induced by hepatitis may be treated with anti-viral medications. Surgery may be required in cases where the condition develops as a result of blockages. In some cases, jaundice may even develop as a result of, as a side effect from certain medications. In such cases, the jaundice may be treated by altering the dosage or changing the medication.
Medical treatment however is absolutely essential, not just for the treatment, but more importantly for an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause, so as to facilitate appropriate treatment. Home care and lifestyle modifications are however an important aspect of treatment and the recuperation process. You can also try using other natural methods that are believed to help in the treatment of jaundice, but not all of these methods have been scientifically proven, so exercise caution. Some of the most common jaundice natural remedies include:
Proper diet and adequate rest is essential for recovery from jaundice. Here are some helpful dietary tips for those affected by jaundice:
The best way to prevent jaundice in babies it to ensure that they are fed sufficiently. Babies that are breast-fed should get 8 to 12 feedings daily for the initial few days after birth. In case of babies that are formula-fed, one to two ounces given every couple of hours is recommended during the first week after birth.
To get rid of jaundice in new born babies, breastfeed the baby every two hours or less to move the bowels and keep your baby under direct morning sunlight (between 8-10)for one hour everyday till jaundice vanishes.
Breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed. The more you nurse, the more the baby needs to move his/her bowels This gets rid of the bilirubin. So breastfeed continuously. (May have to wake a sleepy baby...)
2. Another remedy for jaundice that I use to my patient is: Take 3 spoons of the powder obtained from the plant called "Momordica Balsamina" to be mixed with 3 eggs. Prepare an omelet, give the patient everyday for one week. sorry for my poor English. Yacouba from Niamey, Niger
Starfruit juice(carambola),diluted with about 1/2 a glass of water should be had as often as possible.Tender coconut water,papaya & pineapple juices are excellent in jaundice.