What You Need to Know about Wilsons Disease

The first thing you need to understand is that wilson's disease is caused by copper in the tissues of the body. This can damage organs like the kidneys, the brain and the liver. If diagnosed early, people with this condition will be able to live normally. It can be fatal if not treated. Symptoms of Liver Damage Symptoms do not appear immediately. In fact it may take several years before signs manifest. Genetics may also be a factor. Symptoms rarely appear in people under six years of age. But they will manifest before 30 years of age. As copper accumulates, the organs will begin to deteriorate. Once the liver is affected, signs of jaundice will appear. This includes yellowing of the whites of the eyes. The skin will also appear yellow. More serious symptoms like vomiting of blood and anemia will appear. Cirrhosis of the liver can take place. The stomach and legs will swell up and the spleen bloat. The entire liver can fail. Effect on the Nervous System Signs will include uncontrollable jerk-like movements and stiffness of the legs and arms. You will experience difficulty walking. Other disease symptoms like trembling and difficulty in speaking may manifest.

Potential Effects on the Brain If the copper builds up in the brain, drastic effects will become apparent. Personality and behavioral changes can take place. Some people experience emotional distress, confusion and phobias. Other Signs of the Disease Some people afflicted with the ailment end up with a brown pigmentation surrounding the corneas. This condition is known as the Kayser-Fleischer ring. Complications that may arise include slower blood clotting, arthritis, osteoporosis and kidney stones. Diagnosis Diagnostics are difficult to perform because the symptoms can take years to appear. The symptoms are very similar to hepatitis, which can cause confusion. One effective method is to get an eye examination. Signs of Kayser-Fleischer rings will become apparent if you are ill. Urine and blood samples will show large amounts of copper. A liver biopsy must also be performed. Treatment of the Illness The goal is to lower the copper in your body. Medications like Cuprimine and Depen are used in chelation therapy. The medication sticks to the copper. It is then removed from the body via urination.

These are not the only treatments available. In fact they should not be tried by those who have penicillin allergies. People with kidney ailments must also use other forms of treatment. Syprine is another medication that can be used.