What is Gilbert's syndrome and should it be treated

What is Gilbert's syndrome

Gilbert's syndromeGilbert's syndrome. Symptoms and Causes called a violation of the liver. In general, it is harmless: the organ simply does not have time to break down and remove bilirubin from the body - a yellow pigment that is formed when red blood cells are destroyed. The substance begins to accumulate in body tissues and may one day manifest itself as jaundice - yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

Gilbert's syndrome is a hereditary disorder associated with the "breakdown" of one of the genes. According to statisticsGilbert's syndrome, it affects up to 16% of the population, mostly men.

People with Gilbert's syndrome do not always have liver failure. Certain stress factors lead to noticeable problems with the withdrawal of bilirubin:

• infectious diseases - the same cold or flu;
• fasting or overly strict diet;
• lack of fluid in the body (dehydration);
• menstruation in women;
• strong emotional experiences;
• excessive physical activity;
• lack of sleep;
• taking certain medications.

At the same time, the level of bilirubin in the blood increases only slightly. Therefore, jaundice, if it occurs at all, may be subtle. And it disappears within a few hours: as soon as the stress recedes, the bilirubin decreases.

What are the symptoms of Gilbert's syndrome

The most characteristic symptom is mild jaundice (usually the case is limited only to yellowing of the whites of the eyes). But it does not always appear.

Every thirdGilbert's syndrome a person with Gilbert's syndrome has no symptoms at all.

Most often, a violation is discovered by accident. For example, when a person passes analysis blood. Unreasonably elevated bilirubin - despite the fact that other blood parameters are normal, and the liver is completely healthy during examination - it is consideredGilbert's syndrome. Diagnosis and Treatment unambiguous indicator of Gilbert's syndrome. The diagnosis can be confirmed by genetic testing, but this is not necessary.

Why is Gilbert's syndrome dangerous?

In general, nothing. Gilbert's syndrome itself does not representGilbert's syndrome health risks, does not cause any serious complications and does not increase the risk of liver disease. Another thing is dangerous: confusion with symptoms.

Not only this harmless violation manifests itself as jaundice. Yellowing of the eyes and skin can be a sign of much more dangerous diseases: hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, cancer of the bile ducts and pancreas. If you ignore the change in the shade of the tissues, attributing it to Gilbert's syndrome, there is a risk of starting a fatal disease to the stage when it turns out to be incurable.

If you have jaundice, see a doctor immediately. Your life may depend on it.

Pay no attention to yellowing skin and whites of the eyes is possible only if two conditions are met at once:

• You have already been diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome.
• Jaundice is subtle and clears up quickly.

In any other case, a visit to the doctor is required.

How to treat Gilbert's syndrome

That is unnecessary. The syndrome, as a rule, does not cause trouble - with the exception of occasional mild jaundice. To avoid exacerbations, doctors recommend the following:

• Adhere to the rules of a healthy diet.The diet should be varied, include vegetables, fruits, cereals, meat and dairy products.
• Avoid skipping meals and avoiding low-calorie diets.
• Do not overdo it with physical activity.
• Learn to control stress.
• It is imperative to inform the doctors about the peculiarities of your health. In rare cases, Gilbert's syndrome can exacerbate the side effects of certain medications, so it is important that your doctor is aware of your diagnosis.