Jaundice is a common symptom of liver dysfunction that results in the yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Most treatments related to jaundice often depend on understanding the underlying liver condition—whether it’s a liver infection, bile duct obstruction, or a chronic disease like hepatitis or cirrhosis. With advancements in medical technology, more jaundice hospitals are introducing treatments aimed at diagnosing and treating jaundice more effectively than ever.
In this blog, we’ll explore the cutting-edge jaundice treatments that have emerged in recent years and how they’re helping patients achieve better liver health outcomes.
Understanding Jaundice
Before diving into the innovative treatments, let’s briefly understand what causes jaundice and why treating it effectively is critical. Jaundice itself is not a disease but a symptom indicating an issue with liver function. When the liver cannot process bilirubin, a yellow pigment from red blood cells breaks down, and bilirubin accumulates in the blood, causing jaundice.
This condition may have various triggers, though it is primarily caused by the following health issues:
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Gallstones or Bile Duct Obstructions
- Liver Cancer
- Tumours
Besides these medical conditions, overconsumption of certain drugs and certain blood disorders can also lead to jaundice.
Most jaundice treatment hospitals provide specialised care for these underlying issues, ensuring that the liver can get back to efficiently processing bilirubin and reducing jaundice symptoms.
What is the most effective treatment for jaundice?
The treatment for jaundice usually involves assessing the disease or complications behind it and treating it based on its progressed stage.
With diagnostic accuracy improving, innovative treatments for jaundice have also made it easier to manage liver conditions effectively.
Hospitals focused on liver care address jaundice through the following treatment approaches;
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Treatment
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is used to guide minimally invasive treatments directly to the liver and bile ducts. This is particularly useful for drainage procedures, where blocked bile ducts need to be cleared to relieve jaundice. EUS allows for the precise placement of stents or drainage tubes, offering a targeted approach that minimises tissue damage and speeds up recovery.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Tumour Treatment
For patients with liver cancer or bile duct tumours causing jaundice, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is an innovative, minimally invasive procedure that uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to destroy cancer cells. This treatment is especially valuable for those who may not be candidates for surgery. By shrinking tumours, RFA can alleviate jaundice symptoms and improve liver function.
Biliary Stenting
When jaundice is caused by bile duct blockages, biliary stenting can be a lifesaver. During this procedure, a small tube (stent) is inserted into the bile duct to keep it open, allowing bile to flow freely. This can quickly relieve jaundice and prevent future blockages, especially useful for patients with recurring bile duct obstructions or cancers that compress the bile ducts.
Liver Transplantation
For end-stage liver disease or severe cirrhosis where jaundice is persistent, and liver function cannot be restored, a liver transplant may be necessary. Innovations in transplantation, including living donor liver transplants, have made the procedure safer and more accessible. Jaundice hospitals with transplant programs provide rigorous pre-surgical and post-surgical care to improve transplant success rates.
Targeted Drug Therapies
Innovative medications have been developed that target specific liver conditions, helping to treat jaundice at its source. For example:
- Antiviral drugs are effective for managing hepatitis-induced jaundice.
- Immunosuppressants are used for autoimmune liver diseases that may cause jaundice.
- Bile acid supplements aid in dissolving certain types of gallstones that block bile flow, reducing jaundice symptoms without surgery.
While these treatment methods have yielded great results, new medications continue to be researched and developed, offering hope for more effective treatment of chronic liver diseases that lead to jaundice.
Innovative treatments for treating jaundice in new-borns
Jaundice in new-borns, known as neonatal jaundice, is a common condition that typically appears within the first few days after birth. It occurs due to an immature liver being unable to effectively process bilirubin. While mild jaundice often resolves on its own, more severe cases may require treatment to prevent complications like kernicterus, a type of brain damage
A well-equipped jaundice hospital should be able to accommodate treatment facilities for jaundice in both adults and new-borns, reaffirming their specialisation in liver care.
Due to their distinct anatomy and increased proximity to diseases, treatment for jaundice for infants differs greatly from treatment for jaundice for adults.
Treatments for treating jaundice in infants include:
Phototherapy
Phototherapy is the most common and effective treatment for neonatal jaundice. In this method, the baby is placed under special blue-spectrum lights that help break down bilirubin in the skin, allowing it to be excreted more easily. This non-invasive treatment is safe and highly effective, often resolving jaundice within a few days.
Fiber Optic Biliblankets
A fibre optic biliblanket is a portable phototherapy device that wraps around the baby’s body. Unlike traditional phototherapy, it allows parents to hold and care for their baby during treatment. The biliblanket emits a blue light similar to standard phototherapy, helping break down bilirubin without disrupting bonding time between the baby and the family.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
For new-borns with jaundice due to blood type incompatibility between mother and baby (e.g., Rh or ABO incompatibility), Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) can help reduce bilirubin levels. IVIG works by decreasing the breakdown of red blood cells, thus preventing an excessive bilirubin build-up. This is typically reserved for more severe cases where phototherapy alone is insufficient.
Exchange Transfusion
In rare, severe cases where bilirubin levels are dangerously high, an exchange transfusion may be necessary. This procedure involves gradually replacing the baby’s blood with donor blood, effectively removing the excess bilirubin. While this treatment is invasive, it is life-saving for babies with critically high bilirubin levels unresponsive to other therapies.
In hindsight, a good jaundice hospital should have state-of-the-art facilities and experienced liver care experts and should provide a wide range of treatments for jaundice, ranging from adults to new-borns. As new innovative treatments are being researched, more hospitals specialising in jaundice need to stay in the loop with the latest advancements in liver care. The more a hospital integrates the latest advancements and therapies, the more specialised its services become.
If you’re looking for a state-of-the-art jaundice hospital specialising in liver care in Chennai, reach out to us at RPS Hospitals.