Wilson's disease
Wilson's disease is a rare inherited disorder that causes a buildup of copper in the liver and other organs of the body, most often the brain, kidneys, and eyes. It most often occurs in teenagers and young adults.
Wilson's disease can be treated with a diet low in copper and by taking medication that removes copper from the body. Treatment is usually successful when it begins before serious liver or brain damage has occurred. In some cases of liver damage, the person may need a liver transplant.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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