������Դ

• Home / ������Դ & Ayurveda / Digestive / Causes

Jaundice is generally noticed by its visible sign: a distinct yellowing of the skin and eyes. This condition occurs when the blood has an excess of yellow pigment called bilirubin. Even though many people think that Jaundice is just a simple issue, it actually signals bigger health issues that need attention. Ayurveda aims to restore total health by dealing with the underlying disturbances that lead to jaundice.

Ayurvedic Causes of Jaundice

Jaundice or Kamala in Ayurveda is related to an imbalance of Pitta dosha, which is basically responsible for digestion and metabolism. When Pitta is aggravated, it disrupts the liver function and blood tissue, triggering yellowing of skin and eyes. As per Ayurveda, the way this imbalance happens is :

Dietary Causes:

• Sour, salty, as well as spicy foods cause Pitta to flare up.
• Frequent consumption of oily or fried foods and non-vegetarian diets also contribute.
• Irregular eating and consuming stale or incompatible food items interfere with digestion.

Lifestyle Factors:

• Suppressing natural desires to urinate or defecate increases the toxic load on the liver.
• Too much physical activity immediately after eating disrupts digestive and liver function.
• Hormonal imbalances worsen Pitta due to mental stressors like anger and depression.

Environmental Influences:

• Heat or sun exposure could increase Pitta within the body.
• Even exposure to strong chemical substances could also cause liver stress and dysfunction.

Understanding these factors is essential for managing jaundice. Ayurveda suggests a balanced lifestyle and diet to control Pitta, maintain liver health & treat jaundice at its source.

Modern Causes of Jaundice

Jaundice occurs when bilirubin (which is a result of old red blood cell breakdown) builds up within the body. This could happen for many reasons, generally showing issues with liver function or bile ducts. Common causes identified by modern medicine include:

Liver Inflammation (Hepatitis): Viruses, alcoholism, autoimmune disorders or toxicity may easily inflame the liver and hinder bilirubin production.
Alcohol Liver Disease: Chronic consumption of alcohol leads to liver damage, particularly cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Fat buildup in the liver - usually due to obesity, high cholesterol or diabetes, could inflame and harm liver cells.
Blocked Bile Ducts: Obstructions from gallstones or tumors prevent bile from draining out of the liver.
Pancreatic Disorders: Issues such as pancreatic cancer might obstruct bile ducts near the junction with the pancreas.
Genetic Conditions: Several inherited illnesses like Gilbert's syndrome affect how the liver processes bilirubin.

These are some medical conditions that restrict the regular removal of bilirubin, causing the yellowing of the skin & eyes & leading to Jaundice.

Conclusion

Jaundice is best understood through an understanding of its Ayurvedic as well as modern medical causes. As per the Ayurvedic viewpoint, a healthy Pitta through a balanced diet and lifestyle is essential, while modern medicine refers to liver diseases and bile duct obstructions. Ayurveda treats the root cause, not just the symptoms, to attain complete healing. The natural healing process starts with determining the true source of jaundice. Consult an Ayurvedic expert today for holistic treatment options.