Impaired function of liver can lead to Wilson disease. Copper in excess is removed from the body through the liver and bile. But when the liver cannot function normally, it may not be able to filter and remove copper. This excess of copper will gradually accumulate in vital organs like brain, liver and even on the eyes. If left treated, this can cause various complications and even death.
Why Liver Is Important ?
Liver is an essential organ of the body in playing vital role in metabolic activities. Liver is capable of making proteins responsible for immunity and blood clotting. Further it can ingest, store and process the essential nutrients from food and distributes them to various parts of the body when needed. Liver is responsible for making bile which in turn excretes toxic materials and waste products from the body. Liver can also remove waste materials like fats and cholesterol and unwanted medications which your kidneys cannot remove.
Role Of Copper :
Copper is an important metal for healthy development of bones and nerves and it helps the skin in making melanin. Copper is found in foods like beef liver, dark chocolates, and dry fruits like almonds and apricot and lentils. Copper is easily digested and absorbed and excess is flushed out of body through bile. However, when a person has Wilson disease, his liver would not be in a position to secrete bile for removing excess of copper. This in turn gets accumulated in the body causing complications.
Wilson’s Disease Symptoms :
Very often the symptoms of Wilson disease are confused with other common diseases. Some of the symptoms of this disease include discoloration of the skin (yellow) and eyes, fatigue, loss of appetite, increased fluid accumulation in the abdomen and problems in swallowing. The person may have impaired liver function signs like nausea, vomiting, weakness, loss of weight and bloating sensation due to fluid buildup in the abdomen. Excess fluid can also affect the extremities of the body causing swelling of legs and hands. The person can develop spider angiomas on the skin.