Obstructive Jaundice - Essay Example

Here most of the bilirubin combines with glucuronide to form conjugated or direct bilirubin, then is absorbed in bile, and excreted in the feces. If a disorder prevents this process from completing itself, the yellow-colored bilirubin builds up in the system until it becomes remarkable in the mucous membranes and skin (What is Jaundice 2006). The discoloration usually is detected clinically once the serum bilirubin level rises above 3 mg per dL (51.3 mol per L) (Roche and Kabos, 2004). Jaundice in an adult patient can be due to a wide array of benign or deadly disorders.

Organizing the differential diagnosis by prehepatic, intrahepatic, and posthepatic causes may help make the work-up more manageable. Prehepatic causes of jaundice include hemolysis and hematoma resorption, which lead to elevated levels of unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin. Intrahepatic disorders can result to unconjugated or conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The conjugated (direct) bilirubin level is often elevated by alcohol, infectious hepatitis, drug reactions, and autoimmune disorders. Posthepatic disorders also can cause conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (qtd.

from Roche and Kobos, 2004). . Hepatic jaundice causes range from acute viral hepatitis to liver disease caused alcoholism. Neonatal jaundice, common in newborns, is usually brief lasting only a week or so and is thought to be a result of the still-developing physiology. Though it is usually harmless and in most cases passes on its own, any infant displaying signs of jaundice should be seen by a pediatrician. (In newborns the liver sometimes requires a week or so to adjust and jaundice may be present during this time.

Though this is not due to disease, it is still considered hepatic because liver function is at the root of the condition (What is Jaundice 2006).Post-hepatic (obstructive) jaundice, occurs when bile cannot discharge properly to the feces. Gallstones obstructing the bile duct, other ductal obstructions and certain cancers can cause post-hepatic jaundice marked by pale stools lacking the normal pigment contained in bile (What is Jaundice 2006).Obstructive jaundiceObstructive jaundice caused by obstruction of the bile ducts, as with gallstones.

The liver normally produces about 1 litre of bile each day, which is secreted (passed) into the bile duct system and stored in the gallbladder. The bile duct empties into the upper intestine (duodenum) to help in digestion. Obstruction anywhere in this drainage system causes the blood levels of bilirubin to increase, resulting in "obstructive jaundice (What is obstructive Jaundice 2005)."Causes of obstructive jaundiceJaundice is not critical by itself however could indicate a more serious underlying conditions that should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible (What is Jaundice 2006).

A thoroughly investigated is needed so that the underlying cause can be