What is Bilirubin? Bilirubin is a byproduct of red blood cell destruction and are conjugated in the liver and excreted in bile. It is the main pigment which is responsible for the color of bile, feces and urine. If the bilirubin in the blood is too high (hyperbilirubinemia), it leads to jaundice or icterus, which is the >> Read More ...
Neonatal jaundice is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera (“whites” of the eyes), mouth and deeper lying tissues of the body in a newborn baby due to a high level of bilirubin in blood (hyperbilirubinemia). Jaundice can lead to a complication known as kernicterus which is the damage to the brain as a >> Read More ...
Cholesterol is a waxy substance known as a sterol that is manufactured primarily by the liver or to a lesser extent by other cells in the body (endogenous cholesterol) and is also absorbed from food in the gut (exogenous cholesterol). Cholesterol does not contain fatty acids but since it is made from fatty acid molecules, >> Read More ...
What is a bile duct stone? Bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis) are gallstones that are present in the bile ducts, sometimes within the cystic duct of the gallbladder but more frequently in the common bile duct. Most gallstones are formed in the gallbladder and if small enough, it will pass out into the cystic duct and >> Read More ...
Asymptomatic gallstones (silent gallstones) do not need to be treated. In majority of the cases, these gallstones will not cause any symptoms. Gallstone disease (symptomatic gallstones) requires treatment and these days surgical removal of the gallbladder, known as a cholecystectomy, is frequently conducted. However, if >> Read More ...
What is gallbladder sludge? The proper term for gallbladder sludge is biliary sludge. It is a gelatinous bile that may be a precursor to cholesterol stones. However, in most cases, biliary sludge does not develop into a stone and dissolves within the gallbladder or may be passed out of the gallbladder. What does >> Read More ...
Although the direct link between gallstone development and diet is inconclusive, certain dietary habits may be contributing factors to the development of gallstones. It is therefore advisable for a person prone to recurrent gallstones to consider dietary changes as a part of conservative management. Diet to Prevent >> Read More ...
What is Jaundice? Jaundice is the medical term for yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera (whites of the eye) and deeper tissues like the mucus membrane of the mouth usually as a result of high levels of bilirubin in the blood. The word ‘jaundice’ essentially means yellow color (Latin ~ glabinus, French ~ >> Read More ...
What is Obstructive Jaundice? Obstructive jaundice, or cholestatic jaundice, is the yellowish discoloration of the skin, sclera and deeper tissue as a result of high plasma levels of bilirubin due to obstruction of bile flow In obstructive jaundice, the liver cells absorb free bilirubin and it is conjugated within the >> Read More ...
What is bile? Bile is a digestive juice that is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Excess substances that the body does not need, byproducts like bilirubin and wastes processed by the liver are passed out through the bile. It empties into the duodenum of the small intestine where it assists with the >> Read More ...