What is Obstructive Jaundice?
Obstructive jaundice is a type of jaundice which is caused by a blocked bile duct, leading to a build-up of a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is a waste product which gets rid of the body’s dead blood cells. It is normally disposed of by the liver and drained through the bile duct.
With obstructive jaundice, the bilirubin stays in the blood stream, and is carried to your tissues, skin and eyes, making them yellow.
How common is Obstructive Jaundice?
Common causes of obstructive jaundice include liver disease, reactions to drugs, alcoholism, bile duct stones and cancer.
What are the symptoms of Obstructive Jaundice?
Obstructive jaundice causes yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. It turns your urine dark and makes your stools pale. Other symptoms include sleepiness, fatigue sickness, and itchy, dry skin.
How is Obstructive Jaundice treated?
Obstructive jaundice can be treated by removing the blockage that is causing the problem. Temporary measures include ERCP and PCT. Resection is the surgical removal of the damaged part of the body.
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