Gilbert syndrome is a hereditary disease associated with a gene defect that is involved in the metabolism of bilirubin . As a result, the amount of substance in the blood increases, and the patient occasionally has mild jaundice - that is, the skin and mucous become yellowish. At the same time, all other blood parameters and liver tests remain absolutely normal.
Gilbert's syndrome - what is it in simple words?
The main cause of the disease is the defectiveness of the gene responsible for glucuronyl transferase, a hepatic enzyme that makes bilirubin exchange possible. If this enzyme in the body is not enough, the substance can not be excreted completely, and most of it will get into the blood. When the concentration of bilirubin increases, jaundice begins. In other words, simply speaking: Gilbert's disease is the inability of the liver to reprocess a poisonous substance in sufficient quantities and remove it.
Gilbert's syndrome - symptoms
The disease is more often 2-3 times more often diagnosed in men. As a rule, the first signs of it appear at the age of 3 to 13 years. Gilbert syndrome the child can receive "by inheritance" from the parents. In addition, the disease develops against the backdrop of prolonged starvation, infections, physical and emotional stress. Sometimes the disease appears due to the intake of hormones or substances such as caffeine, sodium salicylate, paracetamol.
The main sign of the syndrome is jaundice . It can be intermittent (appearing after drinking alcohol, as a result of physical overstrain or mental trauma) and chronic. In some patients, the level of bilirubin in Gilbert's syndrome rises slightly, and the skin only acquires a slight yellowish tint, while in others even the whites of the eyes become bright-ocher. In rare cases, jaundice becomes stained.
In addition to yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, Gilbert's disease has the following symptoms:
- insomnia;
- weakness;
- fast fatiguability;
- heartburn ;
- the appearance of a bitter taste in the mouth;
- deterioration of appetite;
- bloating;
- feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
- stool disorder (patients often complain of diarrhea alternating with constipation);
- enlargement of the liver (occurs only in 25% of cases, while the size of the body changes slightly, and palpation remains painless).
Gilbert's syndrome - diagnosis
To determine this disease, you need to conduct several clinical studies at once. Required blood test for Zhibera syndrome. In addition to it, the patient is assigned:
- Analysis of urine;
- a study of the concentration of bilirubin in the blood;
- samples for bilirubin (with nicotinic acid, starvation or phenobarbital);
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity ;
- feces analysis for sterbilin;
- analyzes on alkaline phosphatase, GGTP, AsAT, ALT.
Analysis for Gilbert's syndrome - transcript
The results of laboratory studies are always difficult to disassemble. In particular, when there are so many of them, as in the diagnosis of this disease. If there is a suspicion of Zhibera syndrome, and bilirubin in the analysis exceeds the norms of 8.5 - 20.5 mmol / l, then the diagnosis is confirmed. An unfavorable sign is the presence of a poisonous substance in the urine. What is important - the markers of viral hepatitis in the syndrome are not determined.
Genetic analysis of Gilbert's syndrome
Because the disease is often hereditary, diagnostic activities in most cases involve DNA research. It is believed that the disease is transmitted to the child only when both parents are carriers of the abnormal gene. If one of the relatives does not have it, the baby will be born healthy, but at the same time will become the bearer of the "wrong" gene.
Determine the homozygous Gilbert syndrome in DNA diagnosis can be by examining the number of TA repeats. If they are in the promoter region of the gene 7 or more, the diagnosis is confirmed. Experts strongly recommend conducting a genetic test before starting therapy, especially when treatment with drugs that have hepatotoxic effects is expected.
How to treat Gilbert's syndrome?
It is important to understand that this is not an ordinary disease. Therefore, in special treatment Gilbert's syndrome does not need. Having learned about their diagnosis, patients are recommended to revise the diet - to minimize the use of salty, acute, - to try to protect themselves from stress and experience, to abandon bad habits, if possible to practice a healthy lifestyle. Simply put, there is no secret of how to cure Gilbert's syndrome. But all the measures described above could well bring the level of bilirubin back to normal.
Drugs with Gilbert's syndrome
Appoint any medicine should be a specialist. As a rule, drugs with Gilbert syndrome are used such:
- Medications from the barbiturate group. These drugs have antiepileptic effect, in parallel reducing the level of bilirubin.
- Hepatoprotectors . Protect the liver from the negative effects of stimuli.
- In the presence of dyspeptic disorders, Gilbert's syndrome is treated with antiemetics and digestive enzymes.
- Enterosorbents contribute to the rapid removal of bilirubin from the intestine.
Diet in Gilbert's syndrome
In fact, proper nutrition is the key to the successful restoration of the normal level of bilirubin in the blood. Diet with Gilbert's disease requires strict. But it is effective. Patients with this diagnosis are allowed to eat:
- wheat bread;
- low-fat cottage cheese;
- low-fat beef;
- boiled chicken;
- soups on vegetable bulbone;
- crumbly porridge;
- fruit (but not acidic);
- compotes;
- weak tea.
And the products with Gilbert's disease are forbidden as follows:
- fresh baked pastry;
- pepper;
- ice cream;
- fatty meat and fish;
- spinach;
- fat;
- sorrel;
- mustard;
- alcohol;
- natural coffe.
Gilbert syndrome - treatment with folk remedies
It is impossible to rely solely on alternative methods of treatment. But the syndrome of Augustin Gilbert is one of such diseases, in which folk therapy is welcomed even by many specialists. The main thing is to discuss the list of medicines with the attending physician, clearly determine the dosage for yourself and do not forget to regularly take all the necessary control tests.
Gilbert syndrome - oil treatment with vinegar and honey
Ingredients:
- olive oil - 0,5 l;
- Flower honey - 0,5 kg;
- apple cider vinegar - 75 ml.
Preparation, use:
- Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in one container and pour into a glass, well-closed container.
- Keep the medicine in a cool dark place (on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, for example).
- Before use, liquid should be prevented by a wooden spoon.
- Drink about 15 - 20 ml for 20 - 30 minutes before meals 3 to 5 times a day.
- Jaundice will start to descend on the third day, but the drug should be drunk for at least a week. The break between the courses should be at least three weeks.
Treatment of Gilbert's syndrome with a burdock
Ingredients:
- burdock leaves;
- water - 2 tsp.
Preparation, use:
- It is advisable to use fresh leaves collected in May, when they contain the maximum amount of useful substances.
- Wipe greens with water.
- Juice is recommended to drink 15 ml three times a day for 10 days.
What is dangerous Gilbert syndrome?
The disease does not lead to death and the quality of life does not worsen. But in this case, Gilbert's syndrome has negative consequences after all. Over the years, some patients with jaundice can develop psychosomatic disorders. What can significantly complicate the process of social adaptation and forces a person to go to a psychotherapist.
In rare cases, Gilbert syndrome produces pigmented stones in the bile or in the ducts of the bladder. If this happens, then due to the accumulation of an excessive amount of indirect bilirubin, precipitating. Liver changes practically do not concern. But if you do not limit yourself to alcohol, harmful food and take uncontrolled medicines, hepatitis can develop.
Gilbert's syndrome and pregnancy
At once it is necessary to calm all future mothers: this disease and pregnancy do not exclude each other. Gilbert's syndrome poses no threat to either the woman or her future child. The greatest danger of revealing an ailment during an interesting situation is the impossibility of taking those medications that are traditionally used to alleviate the condition of patients.
Gilbert syndrome is inherited, but a future mother can reduce the amount of bilirubin in the blood. For this you need:
- Completely eliminate physical activity.
- Refuse alcohol.
- Avoid even light stresses.
- Do not go hungry at all.
- Stay in the sun for a limited amount of time.