Gallstones form in the gallbladder when cholesterol or pigments crystallize out of the bile. They vary in size and sometimes get stuck in the bile duct causing attacks of abdominal pain. The tendency to form gallstones is partially inherited and is more common in people who are obese, eat too much or lose weight rapidly. Some develop minor symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and nausea, loss of appetite, darkening of the urine, fever, clay colored stools, abdominal pain and jaundice. In most instances, the body's own defense mechanism will eliminate the infection.
Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Treatment, such as interferon, has encouraging results. A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A,B, and D. Cirrhosis is a process of scar tissue replacing heavy liver cells. Hepatitis, chemicals, alcohol abuse and metals can cause cirrhosis, which means that people from all walks of life may develop this disease. Fatty liver is the most common and abstinence from alcohol and appropriate nutritional treatment can result in complete reversal and cure. Alcohol hepatitis can be a severe illness and it may be present without symptoms which can progress to cirrhosis.