In this guide
6 min readLiver Care
Jaundice causes yellow eyes, dark urine and sometimes itching, fever or abdominal pain. It can be due to liver inflammation, hepatitis, bile duct blockage, stones or pancreaticobiliary disease.
Key Takeaways
- Hepatitis A, B, C or other liver inflammation
- Alcohol-related liver disease
- Bile duct stone or blockage
- Liver cirrhosis
- Pancreaticobiliary disease
Common causes of jaundice
Jaundice needs evaluation because treatment depends on whether the problem is in the liver, bile duct, gallbladder or pancreas.
- Hepatitis A, B, C or other liver inflammation
- Alcohol-related liver disease
- Bile duct stone or blockage
- Liver cirrhosis
- Pancreaticobiliary disease
Warning symptoms
Jaundice with fever or severe pain can suggest infection or blockage and should be assessed quickly.
- Fever with chills
- Severe upper abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Confusion, bleeding or severe weakness
- Pale stool with dark urine
Tests and treatment planning
Evaluation may include liver function tests, viral markers, ultrasound, CT or MRCP. ERCP may be advised for selected bile duct stones or blockage.
Follow-up care
Follow-up depends on the cause. Hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis and obstruction all need different treatment plans.