What is jaundice and what causes it?

Jaundice is the medical term to describe a yellowing of the skin or sclerae (whites of the eyes). Jaundice is due to excess bilirubin pigment in the blood getting deposited in skin and other parts of the body. High levels of bilirubin can be caused by:
•    Liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
•    Bile duct obstruction from a gallstone or stricture in the duct 
•    Red blood cells breaking down at an abnormally fast rate, known as hemolysis.