Warning Signs Of Wilson's Disease To Watch For

Fatigue and Weakness

Fatigue and weakness are both common in patients with Wilson's disease, and they occur mainly because of liver involvement. Patients may feel so tired that they are unable to participate fully in work or school, and they may sometimes need to take days off from these. Along with fatigue and weakness, patients may notice they have less of an appetite than normal, and they may also experience abdominal pain. Patients with these symptoms may need help with daily tasks, and a doctor should be notified if fatigue worsens. Doctors can assess the severity of a patient's fatigue by taking a health history, and medications or lifestyle changes may be beneficial in reducing the symptoms for some patients.

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Vision And Speech Impairment

Vision and speech impairment may be signs of neurological damage in patients with Wilson's disease, and these usually occur if the excess copper accumulates in the brain. Patients may exhibit these impairments in childhood, but they are most common in adult patients with Wilson's disease. Patients may have trouble with articulating words clearly, and they may struggle with swallowing. They may also develop an involuntary tremor and a lack of coordination, and these symptoms may become progressively worse. Visually, patients may have neurodegeneration and other structural changes to the retina, and they may exhibit delayed visual evoked potentials. These eye symptoms can be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Vision and speech problems normally improve with medication for Wilson's disease.

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