Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Prominent liver and gallbladder diseases include cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD, and gallstones.

Cirrhosis is a liver disease characterized by scarring of hepatic lobules and their replacement by fibrous tissue.

Excess fat buildup in the liver, not caused by heavy alcohol use, results in NAFLD.

There are two types of NAFLD: non-alcoholic fatty liver or NAFL and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH.

Hepatitis is a liver inflammation caused by factors like viral infections, drugs, and toxins.

Gallbladder stones or gallstones form when bile has excessive cholesterol or lacks bile salts.

Small gallstones are usually passed without issue, but larger ones can damage the gallbladder or block the cystic duct.

Jaundice is  a symptom of underlying liver condition, resulting from bilirubin buildup, which causes a yellowish coloration of the sclerae, skin, and mucous membranes.

Prehepatic jaundice is caused by excessive bilirubin production, hepatic jaundice arises from liver dysfunction such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, and extrahepatic jaundice is caused by the obstruction of bile flow outside the liver.