Question

Sclera and skin of the person suffering from jaundice turns yellow. Explain.

Answer 1

The red blood cells which are damaged or the cells which have completed their life cycle, migrate to the liver cells are destroyed and broken down to form bile pigments called as bilirubin and biliverdin. When the liver cells are damaged due to hepatitis infection or injury, the bilirubin pigments increase in human blood. Hyperbilirubinemia is excessive bilirubin in the blood. This increase also results in the yellowing of the tissues which is referred to as jaundice. It is caused by an obstruction in the bile duct, excessive hemolysis, or viral infection. It leads to deposition of bilirubin in mucous membrane, sclera, nail tissues and skin so that the patient looks yellow. The colour of the urine is bright yellow.