Overview

Jaundice is a state where there is the presence of an excess quantity of bilirubin in the blood. This bilirubin is a pigment released when there is death of red blood cells, which is filtered mostly by the liver. The level is kept in moderation, but when there is an excess deposit due to various causes, it leads to yellowish discolouration. 

Causes

• Blood clots                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

• Hepatitis                           

• Alcohol-related liver disease,

• Blocked bile ducts

• Hemolytic anemia

•  Pancreatic cancer

• Certain medications.

Symptoms

• Fever

• Stomach pain

• Chills

• Dark urine

• Tar- or clay-colored stools

• Flu-like symptoms

• Itchy skin

• Weight loss

• Feeling unusually irritated

• Confusion 

• Abnormal drowsiness

• Bruising or bleeding easily

• Bloody vomit

Ayurvedic View

Kamala - it is a disease which follows after pandu roga(anaemia and malnutrition). Due to three dosha aggravation, namely vata, pitta and kapha, reaching sira and dhamani (blood vessels, tubes), vitiates dhatus(body tissues)like rasa that is already vitiated, along with low digestive power,rakta is vitiated in this disease. Sometimes the marga(pathway ) of pitta and vata is blocked by kapha, or with no obstruction, resulting in yellowing of skin, eyes, urine, etc, symptoms seen in jaundice are observed. The Ayurveda way of approach is to correct agni (metabolism), bring doshas back to prakruta awastha (balance state), and reduce the symptoms by Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment.