Jaundice is not an illness but a symptom indicating the presence of other disorders. A person suffering from jaundice will have high bilirubin levels in his or her blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is responsible for discoloration of skin and eyes during jaundice. Bilirubin normally occurs in the hemoglobin and a very low amount of it circulates through the body, everyday. However, this amount is too negligible to be visible, in a normal healthy person. Very often jaundice indicates a malfunction of the liver in handling excess bilirubin. Common symptoms of jaundice are appetite loss, pain in the stomach or abdomen, queasiness, and vomiting.
Any person suffering from jaundice needs to get as much rest as possible for a full recovery. For the first few days, include as much fluid in the diet as possible, to flush out the excess bilirubin via the urine and stools. Drink plenty of boiled water and juices from fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapes, and pears. You can drink vegetable juices such as juices from carrots and beets. Juices will provide the nutrition that your body needs along with keeping you well hydrated in case you are vomiting. Some doctors may prescribe a juice fast for a week followed by an all fruit diet for three to five days following the juice fast. During this period you can also drink some barley water as part of the juice fast. Keep away from alcoholic beverages and caffeine.
After the jaundice symptoms subside, you may start eating soft, easy to digest food such as, cereals, porridges, rice, and vegetable broths. Avoid raw foods and fried food as these are difficult to digest. Ask your doctor before consuming eggs. Try to eat small meals instead of three big meals; once again this is to ease digestion. Meals should be high in calorie and moderate in protein. However, keep away from fats such as butter and cheese until your doctor permits you to resume a normal diet. Also to be avoided are semi cooked foods, meats, organ meats, red meats, and foods high in cholesterol. Make sure to eat foods that are well cooked. Ask your doctor to prescribe some multivitamins and mineral supplements. Buy capsules that have a soft gel-cap that can be easily absorbed by the body. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and is good for your liver. Follow your doctor’s advice and take your medications on time and in the proper dosage.