Yellow eyes

[S.Wilson]

We just found out my boyfriend of 14 years has hep C. He was diagnosed at the er where we live. They didnt tell us anything other than that he has it. His eyes and skin are very yellow and have been for about 2 weeks now. We just got him an appt with a family doc for friday. My question is is there any way to help the yellow go away. They didnt give him any meds at the er or really tell us anything just said to get in with a family doc?! Not really sure where we need to go from here any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[KimInTheForest]

While you are waiting to see the doctor, I would suggest doing everything possible through diet and lifestyle to reduce the burden on your boyfriend's liver. Reduce or eliminate: alcohol, drugs, sugar, salt, fat (especially saturated fat - butter). Don't take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or any cold remedies containing acetaminophen. Reduce or eliminate junk food, processed food, candy bars, chips, fries, etc. Eat healthy - fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, etc. Cook from scratch - prepared food tend to be high in salt. Drink lots of fluids. Avoid stress and avoid anger. (Anger is very damaging to the liver - Five Element Theory).

Many of these protocols can be relaxed once your boyfriend is stabilized. Probably most people here do consume some degree of salt and sugar. But for the time being, if it were me with yellow eyes and skin, I would go all-out on my liver-support protocols.

Good luck, and please let us know how you and your bf are doing!

Kim

[KimInTheForest]

Another part of the liver support protocol is no big heavy meals - have multiple small meals and snacks. Digestion is the single biggest demand we place on the liver.

Best wishes,
Kim

[Mike]

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye) can be caused by a number of things, most commonly, however, would be hepatitis, alcohol abuse, a block bile duct (gallstones), and or ingestion/exposure to substances toxic to the liver.

Jaundice, in adults, is generally not treated - rather the underlying cause of the jaundice is treated.

For example, in the case of alcohol-induced jaundice, the treatment would be to stop all alcohol consumption.

In the case of viral hepatitis-induced jaundice, the treatment would be to rid the body of the virus.

If the jaundice is caused by a blocked bile duct, the treatment would be to unblock the  duct through surgery (the gallbladder may also be removed).

Jaundice will usually resolve by itself; but this does not mean the underlying cause has resolved.

In the case of your boyfriend, and, assuming that other causations were ruled out by the ER doctor, it appears that the Hep-C is causing the jaundice (which it does in some who contract HCV). 

Your family doctor will  likely order additional blood work, and most likely make a referral to a liver specialist for further diagnosis and treatment.

It might be helpful to have the ER discharge report with you at the appointment and have the doctor review it for additional insight and to confirm that other causes of jaundice have been appropriately ruled out.

The good news is that Hep-C can be effectively treated and the viral infection can be cleared (cured).

Best wishes, Mike