Take care, Jaundice is in the air

Though advises pour once you are detected with jaundice, don’t panic, please visit the doctor and undergo necessary tests and get well soon, writes Gayathri V Raj

With the arrival of summer, not only the scorching heat is going to take a toll on the people but they should also the bear the brunt of the power shut downs, irregular water supply and most important of all, the spread of epidemic.

Several cases of jaundice have already been reported in the city and the Mysore City Corporation has also announced there is a breakdown of jaundice and cautioned people to take precautionery measures for the same.

The main reason for this is drinking contaminated water that is supplied and there are incidences that the public themselves vent ire on the officials with the sample of contaminated water and have staged protests.

Contaminated water

With the water levels understandably decreasing in the reservoirs, residents of certain layouts are haunted with literally no water.

The areas that get water supply can find that the water is either contaminated or seen with suspended matter most of the time.

Similar incident of water contamination in Vidyaranyapuram had created headlines last year and people complaining of uneasiness and unbearable stench of drinking water. The water samples were sent to laboratories and immediate steps were taken to tackle the same.

MCC Commissioner K S Raykar in a press release had stated that water samples of the affected areas have been sent for testing and there is no need to panic as steps have been taken to supply chlorinated water to the residents.

Jaundice is a condition that occurs because of an accumulation of bilirubin in the bloodstream.  Jaundice symptoms are usually minor.

Signs and symptoms

First it’s important to differentiate between signs of jaundice and symptoms of jaundice.  Signs are objective physical findings, whereas symptoms are things that a patient feels or notices. 

Yellow eyes,  is a sign of jaundice, whereas itching is a symptom of jaundice.
In majority of the cases patient approaches the doctor only after physical signs like yellow pigmentation of skin and the conjunctiva overlying the white sclera of the eyes. 

Other symptoms are more likely related to the underlying conditions that cause jaundice and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain especially in the right upper part of the abdomen where the liver is located, weakness, loss of appetite and fatigue. 

The district administration has repeatedly warned the citizens to drink only boiling water and also take caution not to consume cut fruits sold outside and also prevent eating in unhygienic eateries.

Do’s

If the following signs and symptoms are observed, it is very important to report to the doctor and have a check-up.

A person having yellowish eyes, skin, nails, face, urine, burning sensation in the body, weakness, indigestion, slight fever, white or yellow-coloured stool, loss of appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, dryness of mouth, distended abdomen, vomiting sensation, itching and body ache.

Blood tests like serum bilirubin, urine for bile salts and bile pigments should be ruled out first.

After knowing the severity of the disease, treatment should be taken accordingly.
Steam preparations are light enough for patients.

Besides, dietary precautions, recommendations have to be followed for early and proper recovery.

Don’ts

Due to impaired bile secretion digestion and absorption of fat is affected. Therefore, it is advisable to decrease fat intake.

Alcoholic drinks even in minor quantities can damage the liver and shorten the patient's life. 

To be avoided

Tea, coffee and tobacco affect the functioning of the liver and should be avoided or taken in very small, diluted quantities.

Do not get tense and angry or indulge in sex. 

Do not take oils, fried foods, spicy food, pickles, and sour products. They are very harmful for the liver and stomach.