Jaundice

This is a descriptive term for the development of a raised level of bilirubin within the blood. It presents with a yellow colouring often seen in the eyes or skin. Causes may reflect either, increased breakdown of red blood cells (pre-hepatic jaundice- as occurs in haemolytic anaemia), damage to liver cells that process breakdown products of blood (hepatic jaundice- as occurs in hepatitis or alcohol related liver damage), or as a consequence of blockage of the drainage of those products (bile) into the bowel (post-hepatic jaundice).