Final answer:
Hyperbilirubinemia occurs when the liver cannot effectively process and excrete bilirubin, leading to its accumulation in the blood and causing the skin and sclera to turn yellow, which is known as jaundice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hyperbilirubinemia leads to the accumulation of bilirubin, a yellow pigment, in the blood. When red blood cells (RBCs) are broken down, bilirubin is produced as a waste product. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin, which is then excreted in bile and ultimately into the feces. However, if the liver is damaged, or there is an excessive breakdown of RBCs, or the bile duct is obstructed, the liver cannot process all the bilirubin, leading to its accumulation in the blood. This causes the skin and sclera to turn yellow, a condition known as jaundice.
Three primary types of jaundice are: 1) Pre-hepatic or hemolytic, due to excessive hemolysis; 2) Hepatic, resulting from liver dysfunction; and 3) Post-hepatic, due to blockages within the bile or bile ducts. Pre-hepatic jaundice leads to an increase in unconjugated bilirubin, while hepatic and post-hepatic result in elevated levels of conjugated bilirubin.
Joyful yellow is a term you won't hear in this context, as the yellowing from jaundice indicates a serious medical condition, often requiring immediate medical attention to address the underlying cause.