View All Digestive System Articles

Obstructive Jaundice: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of obstructive jaundice?

Obstructive jaundice can cause many different types of symptoms, which vary in intensity among individuals.

Common symptoms of obstructive jaundice

Obstructive jaundice can cause any of the following symptoms, and at times, any of these symptoms can be severe:

  • Abdominal pain (typically occurs in the right upper quadrant of the body)
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Diarrhea
  • Easy bleeding or bruising
  • Fever and chills
  • Itchy skin
  • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
  • Malaise or lethargy
  • Pale stools
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Yellow coloration of the eyes and skin (jaundice)

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, obstructive jaundice can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

  • Abdominal swelling, distension and bloating
  • High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Severe abdominal pain
INTRODUCTION

What is obstructive jaundice?

Obstructive jaundice is a condition in which there is blockage of the flow of bile out of the liver. This results in an overflow of bile and its by-products into the blood, and bile excretion from the body is incomplete. Bile contains many by-products, one of which is bilirubin, a pigment derived from dead red blood cells. Bilirubin is yellow, and this gives the characteristic yellow appea... Read more about obstructive jaundice introduction

CAUSES

What causes obstructive jaundice?

Obstructive jaundice is a condition in which there is a blockage of the flow of bile out of the liver. This results in an overflow of bile and its by-products into the blood, and bile excretion from the body is incomplete. Bilirubin, a component of bile, is yellow, which gives the characteristic yellow appearance of jaundice in the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.... Read more about obstructive jaundice causes

TREATMENTS

How is obstructive jaundice treated?

Your health care professional can develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. It is important to precisely follow your treatment plan for obstructive jaundice to help minimize your symptoms and decrease the chance of your symptoms recurring over time.... Read more about obstructive jaundice treatments

UP NEXT ›› Causes
Medical Reviewer: All content has been reviewed by board-certified physicians under the direction of Rich Klasco, M.D., FACEP. Last Annual Review Date: May 2, 2011 Copyright: © Copyright 2011 Health Grades, Inc. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or reprinted without permission from Health Grades, Inc. Use of this information is governed by the HealthGrades User Agreement.

More on Better Medicine

Your Guide to Digestive Health

This Article is Filed Under: Digestive System


Top Features in Digestive Health

Popular Digestive Health Slide Shows

Did You Know?

View Source

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors. In fact, it's estimated that as many as 20 percent of adults have symptoms of IBS.

Digestive System Quizzes


Health News Today

Feed