There are several myths that surround jaundice. Does turmeric aggravate the symptoms of jaundice? Can sugarcane cure jaundice? Let’s clear these and other common myths about jaundice.

Myths related to Jaundice

Myth 1: Jaundice happens solely due to water-borne infections

Reality: Water-borne infections like hepatitis A and E do cause jaundice but they are not the only causes. Hepatitis B and C, malaria and dengue also cause jaundice and they are not water-borne. Obstruction of the bile duct due to bile stones or cancer also leads to jaundice.

Myth 2: Jaundice is due to liver problems

Reality: Not always. Excess breakdown of red blood corpuscles in the blood and obstruction to the flow of bile can also cause jaundice [known as obstructive jaundice].

Myth 3: Itching means you are recovering

Reality: Obstructive jaundice is often accompanied by intense itching. But it is not a sign of recovery.

Myth 4: Excess sleepiness is normal

Reality: Though fatigue is common, excessive sleepiness [drowsiness] or altered sleep patterns [daytime sleepiness and sleeplessness at night] is not normal. It’s a warning sign that indicates acute liver failure, which needs emergency medical care.

Myth 5: Once diagnosed, you don’t need to investigate further since there is no treatment for the condition

Reality: It is important to evaluate the condition further with the help of liver function tests to know its severity and cause. Only then can we facilitate complete recovery.

Often, the cause of jaundice is treatable. But if we don’t investigate further and get to the root of the problem, the cause might remain untreated, which can lead to complete liver damage [cirrhosis of the liver] or sudden worsening of liver functions [fulminant liver failure], which can be life threatening.

Some causes like obstruction of the bile duct may need either endoscopic intervention or surgery to relieve the condition.

Myth 6: A person with jaundice should eat bland food with no spices and that too in less quantity to help the liver recover fast. The person should also abstain from eating non-vegetarian food.

Reality: You don’t need to switch to a bland diet, as it will do no good. In fact, improper nutrition causes lack of nutrients, which may aggravate nausea.

Doctors advise not eating food with strong flavours during jaundice because it could precipitate nausea. You need to consume a normal diet with moderate spices and eat light and well-balanced meals. This provides the body with the right nutrients and helps the liver heal faster.

Small, frequent meals help keep the food in the stomach as most patients suffer from nausea and vomiting. This improves the overall daily calorie intake, which facilitates recovery. You can eat non-vegetarian food, provided it is cooked adequately and hygienically.

Myth 7: Adults with jaundice should consume anti-inflammatory foods such as turmeric and ginger. However, they need to go easy on the turmeric as the yellow colour of turmeric can aggravate symptoms

Reality: There is no evidence to suggest that consumption of any of these substances helps the liver recover. Also, the yellowness of turmeric (haldi) does not add to that of bilirubin to aggravate the condition. So, consumption of turmeric and ginger in moderation is advised and will not do any harm.

Myth 8: Sugarcane juice is the best treatment

Reality: Although sugarcane is a good source of carbohydrates, which helps increase the nutrition quotient of your diet, it is not a treatment option. Consumption of sugarcane during jaundice may keep the body from becoming weak as appetite is reduced. Also, sugarcane can improve overall health due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antihyperglycemic, diuretic, and hepatoprotective (preventing damage to the liver) effects.

Myth: When a newborn has jaundice, it means that the baby is not adjusting to her mother’s milk; the baby should be fed water instead

Reality: Breast milk is the best, safest and the only complete food option for a newborn. Do not administer water as it may worsen the jaundice and may even cause a host of other infections if it is not clean.

It is important to continue to only breastfeed the baby. You may also have to wake the baby for feeds as babies with jaundice are often more sleepy than others.

The post Yellow lies: Myths about jaundice appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

To understand hair transplantation, you need to first understand baldness. Male-pattern baldness or Androgenetic Alopecia, which is the commonest type of baldness, is directly related to the male hormone, testosterone.

The hair follicles are sensitive to testosterone, excess of which causes reduced growth and thinning of hair. Some men have baldness only in the front or at the vertex, while in others it is more severe.

But, no matter how extensive the baldness, there is always a ‘horseshoe’ shaped area of permanent hair at the back and sides of the head. This hair is genetically programmed to resist the effect of male hormones. When transplanted into areas of thinning or bald areas, such hair continues to survive and grow permanently.

This forms the basis of hair transplantation. Hair from some other parts of the body or from some other person cannot be used for hair transplant.

What does microfollicular hair transplantation involve?

After proper selection, a suitable hairline is first marked considering the aesthetic and facial dimensions of the person. Then a strip of hair is harvested from the back of the head and this donor area is closed by stitches.

This strip of hair is cut using magnification to make smaller grafts called as micrografts and minigrafts. Micrografts contain 1 – 2 hair and are placed in front to form the new hairline. This is actually a zone about 1.5cm wide and comprises thin hair. In this zone, the single and two hair grafts are delicately introduced into micro slits under magnification.

Beyond this, minigrafts which have 3 – 5 hair are placed. These add to the density. All the grafts are so placed taking into consideration the direction of further hair growth. Micro with Minigrafts produce a more natural look than the old fashioned Plug Method with its unnatural ‘Dolls Head’ look.

What should I expect after my surgery?

Your doctor will cover the operated site with a surgical cap, which you can remove on reaching home. Your forehead will be swollen for 2 – 3 days. The stitches will be removed after a week, and you shouldn’t take a head bath till then. The transplanted hair will usually fall off with the scab in 2 – 3 weeks after surgery. New hair grows in the area after about three months.

When can I resume my normal activities?

You should not travel for 2 – 3 days. You can resume work the next day if your office is close to your home.

Can the hair fall again?

The original hair in the bald area continues to fall even after the transplant. And the transplanted hair starts growing in about 12 – 16 weeks after the surgery. This hair is permanent and lifelong. The procedure can be repeated after six months, if needed, to achieve more density in the bald area. With more sittings, the density of hair growth becomes better.

Is everybody eligible for hair transplantation?

No. Patients with very small amount of hair at the back and sides of the head may not be good candidates for this surgery.

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