Table of Contents
Causes of yellow eyes
1. Hepatitis
2. Liver cirrhosis
3. Gallstones
4. Malaria
5. Pancreatitis
6. Hemolytic anemia
7. Leptospirosis
Jakarta, goldensamoyed Indonesia
—
When you go to the doctor, the first thing the doctor usually looks at is
eyes
and tongue, then other vital signs.
Why?Usually a change in eye color can indicate a condition
disease
certain.Yellow eyes, of course, are a sign of alertness.
Yellow eye occurs when the white part of the eye, called the sclera, turns yellow.Actually, yellow eyes are a sign of what disease?
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Causes of yellow eyes
Launch
WebMD
, the yellow color of the eyes is usually caused by a buildup of a substance called bilirubin in the blood.Bilirubin is a yellow substance that is formed when red blood cells are broken down.
Normally, the liver processes bilirubin and excretes it through bile into the digestive tract.If this process is disrupted, bilirubin builds up and causes the eyes to turn yellow.
The following are a number of diseases that can cause yellow eyes and you need to be aware of.
1. Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver which is usually caused by a viral infection, such as hepatitis A, B, or C. This condition can be acute (temporary) or chronic (long lasting).
When the liver becomes inflamed, its ability to process bilirubin decreases, so that bilirubin builds up and causes yellow eyes.Apart from infection, hepatitis can also be caused by drugs or autoimmune disorders.
2. Liver cirrhosis
This condition occurs when healthy liver tissue is slowly replaced by scar tissue.
This disease usually develops over years due to various factors, ranging from excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, to long-standing hepatitis B and C infections.
Cirrhosis disrupts liver function, so that bilirubin cannot be filtered properly.Finally, the eyes turn yellow.
3. Gallstones
Gallstones are hard objects resembling pebbles that form in the gallbladder, a small organ under the liver.These stones can block the bile ducts which function to drain bile from the liver to the intestines.
If the bile ducts are blocked, bilirubin cannot come out and accumulates in the blood, causing yellow eyes.Gallstones are the most common cause of blocked bile ducts.
4. Malaria
This disease is transmitted through the bite of mosquitoes that carry malaria parasites.This parasite can damage red blood cells, which are then destroyed by the liver and spleen.
Excessive red blood cell damage can cause anemia and a buildup of bilirubin, resulting in yellow eyes.Malaria is also accompanied by high fever and other symptoms.
5. Pancreatitis
This is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas, an organ that helps digestion by producing enzymes.
Quote
Very Well Health
, during an attack of pancreatitis, sufferers often experience severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and can be accompanied by yellow eyes.
Severe inflammation can block the flow of bile, causing bilirubin to build up in the blood.
6. Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia is a blood disorder when the body destroys red blood cells faster than they can be produced. As a result, the number of red blood cells decreases drastically, causing anemia.
The bilirubin produced from the breakdown of red blood cells accumulates.This condition causes the eyes and skin to turn yellow.
7. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can attack humans and animals.This disease often appears in warm climates and in places contaminated with animal urine.
Some leptospirosis sufferers experience symptoms of yellow eyes and skin due to liver dysfunction that occurs during infection.
Yellow eyes are not an aesthetic problem, but are a sign of serious health problems.If you experience yellow eyes, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
(rea/asr)
