There are over 100 known liver and biliary tract diseases.
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.