Glucose water prevents dehydration in Jaundice:

Can we give glucose in jaundice?

Jaundice is a condition where the skin and white of the eyes appear yellow due to accumulation excess bilirubin in the blood stream.



Most of the jaundice (except neonatal jaundice) indicates damage or overload to the liver or inability to move the pigment bilirubin from the liver to the gut. A mild form of jaundice can be effectively treated with good diet and adequate rest. However the recovery might be slow in severe cases due to pressure or obstruction in the bile ducts.

Complete rest in bed is very important for any case of jaundice till the acute symptoms subside. Intake of any solid foods should be avoided for the first few days and emphasis should be laid on fresh fruits, vegetables and their juices. Make sure to wash the raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly before extracting any juice because resistance is often low to infection.

The focus is a high carbohydrate diet and low fat diet in the treatment of jaundice to minimize the strain on the liver. Some patients even experience loss of appetite due to nausea and vomiting. Glucose water is a wise choice in such cases as it will not only provide instant energy but also suffice the needs of water and prevent dehydration. Make sure to make fresh glucose water each time it is given and avoid storing. Other fruit juices like orange juice, sugarcane juice, lime juice, coconut water, carrot juice, beet juice and other vegetable and fruit juices can also be included in the diet. As the acute symptoms of jaundice subside gradually soft foods can be included in the diet like fruit custard and cereal porridge or grovel and curd rice. A person with jaundice should avoid all the kinds of fats like oils, hydrogenated vegetable oils, butter, cream, fatty dressings for at least two weeks.

Gradually as the severity of the disease passes easily digestible fats like butter and cream (medium chain triglycerides) can be added in the diet slowly. Also the use of spices like chilies, pepper should be kept to minimum.



Certain foods which can cause any digestive disturbance like pulses, beans or fermented foods should also not be included in the diet till the symptoms subside. Any other home care, diet and treatment will largely depend on the severity and type of the disease. Also for an effective treatment the cause should be identified and treated. Before making any major changes in your diet consult a specialist or a registered dietician for a diet plan.