WILSON'S DISEASE

Wilson's disease is an genetic disease in which there is too much copper in the body's tissues. The excess copper damages the liver and nervous system. The copper accumulates in the liver gradually leading to cirrhosis, tremors, muscular rigidity, and cognitive disturbances: marked by Kayser-Fleischer rings.

Wilson's disease usually begins to show itself in the teenage years of one's life

SYMPTOMS

• Liver failure
• Jaundice
• Severe abdominal swelling
• Kayser-Fleischer rings

Kayser-Fleischer Rings are Brownish-yellow rings visible around the corneo-scleral junction (limbus). It is a result of copper deposits in Descemet’s membrane, extending into the trabecular meshwork. This is a clinical Sign of Wilson’s disease.

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What causes it?
Wilson's disease is caused by receiving a mutated gene from each parent.

Once you find out you have this disease you would start taking Syprine, a medication that draws out the accumulated copper. Later followed by a medication called Galzine, that helps the body rid of the copper that enters by food consumption.
People with this disease have to take this medication for life.

WHAT FOODS HAVE A HIGH CONTENT OF COPPER?

• Liver, pork, and shellfish
• Chocolate
• Nuts, seeds, dried fruit and beans
• Whole wheat flour
• Mushrooms, Avocado, and Mangos ect.

INTERESTING FACTS

• 1 in 45,000 people have Wilson's disease
• People with Wilson's disease should not drink tap water
• They can only take children's multi-vitamins

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Wilsonsdisease.org
• My own arsenal of knowledge