Jaundice is a condition that leads to yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes (like the lining of the mouth), and eye sclera (the white surface of the eyes). The appearance of yellowing is attributed to a change in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a pigment that has a yellow colour, and it forms after haemoglobin destruction in the body. However, in some cases, the liver’s role is to process the bilirubin and discharge it into bile, which is a digestive fluid that gives stool its brown colour.
Jaundice is a condition that develops as the bilirubin concentration in the body increases due to hepatitis or a blockage in the bile duct. Jaundice is a condition itself that is produced by another disease; therefore, it is not considered a disease, but it becomes a sign of the presence of a disease. It can be due to a range of causes, including liver diseases including hepatitis or cirrhosis, blocked bile ducts that may be from gallstones or tumours, and faster damage to red blood cells than they can be replaced by the body, leading to haemolytic disorders, or certain infections or drugs.