Misinformation is deadlier than lack of information. If something is misinterpret or misinformed to masses, it can wreak havoc more than anyone can think of. Myths about diseases can cause more health damage to people and so, they need to be busted. Jaundice is one condition that is not season-specific and is quite common among people of all age groups. There are so many misconceptions about jaundice that makes it difficult for people to get the right aid. Considering that, onlymyhealth spoke to Dr. Adi Rakesh Kumar, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Therapeutic Endoscopist & Endosonologist at Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad. Scroll down as he cleared the air about jaundice.
What is jaundice?
Firstly, let us brief a little about jaundice. This is a caused by a buildup of a substance called bilirubin in blood. Jaundice is a yellow color to your skin and the whites of your eyes. It is majorly caused in cases:
- Your liver is damaged and can't process bilirubin properly: called as Hepatitis and is caused commonly due Alcohol, Viruses or certain drugs
- Something blocks your bile ducts (tubes that carry bile from your liver to your intestine) , Common causes of blocked bile ducts include gallstones and tumors.
The prominent symptoms of jaundice include yellow skin, yellow eyes (the part that's normally white), itching all over the body, dark urine and light-colored stool, and sometimes abdominal Pain and Fever.
Common Myths And Facts About Jaundice
MYTH #1 Jaundice patients should eat bland and boiled food
FACT: This is not true at all! You will have to eat nutritious food. Food should be low fat moderate protein and high carbohydrate. Eating nutritious food will enhance the functioning of your liver. So, if someone comes to you suggesting that you should eat plain boiled food, tell them that the doctor doesn’t advise so.
MYTH #2 There is no Allopathic Medicine for Jaundice
FACT: It is one of the very popular myths that this condition can only be cured through alternative medicine (homeopathy/Ayurvedic ). If you think there is no allopathic medicine for jaundice, you are mistake. Most of the cases of Jaundice due to Acute Hepatitis is self limiting, hence only symptomatic treatment care is required in most cases as liver can recover on its own.
Also Read: Jaundice Diet: Here Are Some Foods Groups To Avoid If You Have Jaundice
MYTH #3 Alcohol taken with food does not cause Jaundice
FACT: A lot of alcoholics do not stop consuming it believing that it won’t harm their health. In reality, Alcohol taken beyond permissible limits can severely damage the liver irrespective of food intake. Besides, Alcohol should be stopped at least for 3 months after liver function test normal.
MYTH #4 If your jaundice is caused due to Hepatitis B or C, it is fatal
Facts: There are 30 to 50 million Hepatitis B & C infected individuals in India who are living normal lives, and the majority of whom will live till old age. The infection does not kill every one. It is also assumed that once Infected, Hepatitis B and C cannot be cured! Actually, if detected timely there are very good drugs available to effectively eradicate the virus from body and save the liver.
The doctor also adds that Hepatitis B/C doesn’t spread by touching, coughing and sharing utensils with infected person. It is spread only when body fluids from an infected person enters another through pricking, transfusions or sex.
Also Read: What Is Breast Milk Jaundice? Know Causes, Symptoms and Prevention Tips
Myth #4 Jaundice in newborn is treated by feeding water and not mother’s milk
A lot of people believe that when a newborn has jaundice, it means that the baby is not adjusting to her mother’s milk; the baby should be fed water instead. But the fact is that breast milk is the best, safest and the only complete food option for a newborn. Do not administer water as it may worsen the jaundice and may even cause a host of other infections if it is not clean.
These are just seven common jaundice myths that we came across. Never fall for these myths and misconceptions as it can affect your health adversely. Seek professional medical help for faster recovery from jaundice.
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