Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Jaundice
YELLOWING OF THE SKIN
HCA UK's experts can help to diagnose and treat a range of conditions, including jaundice
About
Jaundice causes yellowing of your skin and of the whites of your eyes. It occurs as a result of a build-up of a yellow substance called bilirubin in your body, which is a by-product produced during the normal breakdown of old red blood cells.
Need to know
There are many different causes. Some affect the liver tissue, directly like alcoholic liver disease, and some that block the flow of bile from the liver, like cancer of the head of the pancreas.
The most common symptoms of jaundice are:
- yellow skin
- yellowed whites of the eyes
In some cases, you may also have itchy skin, darker urine and paler stools.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should urgently arrange to seeyour GP or consultant who can assess your condition as they could be signs that your body isn’t functioning properly.
Your GP or consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and diagnose which type of jaundice you have based on what’s disrupting the normal removal of bilirubin from your body. Tests they recommend may include:
- a urine test to measure levels of urobilinogen (a substance produced when bacteria inside the digestive system break down bilirubin)
- a blood test (to test serum bilirubin levels and liver function)
- an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan to detect abnormalities within the liver
- biopsy of the liver to assess liver tissue
Treatment options for jaundice depend on the extent of the condition, the underlying cause and your overall health and fitness. These may include medical treatments, stents or surgical operations.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.