We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Obstructive Jaundice?

By Steven Symes
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,953
References
Share

Obstructive jaundice is a medical condition caused by a blockage in the body’s biliary system that leads to a buildup of bile in the body's bloodstream. Once the bile is in the bloodstream, it is then transported around to the body’s various organs. The biliruben contained in bile has a yellow color, causing the person’s skin, eyes and mucous membranes to turn yellow as well. Since obstructive jaundice is a serious condition, if it is not treated by healthcare professionals it can lead to infection and even death.

Blockages inside the body’s biliary system can originate from one of several different causes. The most common source of a blockage comes from gallstones that accumulate in the bile duct. Obstructive jaundice may also be a sign of pancreatic cancer, with the cancerous growth blocking the passage in the head of the pancreas. Less-common causes include parasites living inside the bile duct, tumor growths in the biliary system and general trauma suffered by a patient. Some people are born with an abnormally-shaped biliary system, which does not allow bile to flow correctly.

The introduction of bile to the bloodstream can lead to serious infection. If a person suspects they or someone else is suffering from obstructive jaundice, that person needs to seek emergency medical attention without delay. Without proper treatment, the bile flowing into the bloodstream from obstructive jaundice can result in not only serious infections of various organs, but also organ failure and eventually death.

Yellow skin and eyes are the most obvious symptom of obstructive jaundice. Other symptoms include dark urine, pain in the abdomen and light-colored stools. Life-threatening symptoms include a fever that measures 101 degrees Fahrenheit ( 38.3 degrees Celsius), severe abdominal pain or bloating and nausea.

What treatment a patient suffering from obstructive jaundice receives depends on the cause of the condition. Some patients might only need to adjust their diet or take antibiotics to correct their condition. Surgery may be necessary to correct the structure of the biliary system or to remove obstructions, or chemotherapy may be necessary to treat cancerous growths.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-obstructive-jaundice.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.