Jaundice
Yellow Discoloration Disease
Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Jaundice isn't an illness in itself but it is a medical condition. It can occur in infants, children, and adults. It occurs when too much bilirubin, a compound produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells, is circulating in the blood. All this bilirubin cause the eyes, skin, and mucus membranes in the mouth to turn a yellow color. Because the bilirubin is processed by the liver, Symptoms of Jaundice could cause damage to the in liver then liver failure, if not treated, for adults. Jaundice is very common for babies. In healthy babies Jaundice may go away on its own. Otherwise most babies are put under a "Bili Light", which helps break down bilirubin.
Prevalence in Africa
Jaundice is prevalent everywhere in Africa because it's very common in new born babies. It effects the poorer areas the most because they can't treat it as easily as rich people can. Poverty plays a role in this because if someone doesn't have the finances to get treated, liver failure can follow and cause death. On the bright side, Jaundice is curable.
About 80,000 babies die in the first 4 weeks of life because of Jaundice.
Jaundice isn't a major disease but it's common.
What can be done?
It's hard for doctors to give specific prevention advice in most cases of Jaundice. However maintaining alcohol limits, healthy weight, and managing cholesterol can help prevent Jaundice.