Wilson disease is rare, inherited disorder involving a dysfunctional metabolism due to excessive absorption of copper from the small intestine and decreased excretion from the liver, resulting in an excessive deposition of copper in the liver, brain, and other tissues. Symptoms of this condition include liver dysfunction, jaundice, tremors, uncoordinated movements, psychotic symptoms, Kayser-Fleicher rings in the eyes, arthritis, anemia and kidney disease. Patients present with liver disease in the first decade of life or acute psychiatric symptoms in the third decade. Alcohol and other hepato-toxic drugs need to be avoided by such individuals, who may need lifelong and uninterrupted treatment.
Ayurvedic herbal treatment for Wilson disease is aimed at treating the root cause of the condition, preventing or reducing the damage to important organs, and preventing long-term complications. Most individuals need a lifelong chelating therapy to reduce copper deposition. Ayurvedic treatment is aimed at improving the excretion of copper through the liver and from the intestines with the help of specific herbal medicines which promote excretion of harmful and toxic substances from the body.
Herbal medicines which have a specific action on the liver, brain the central nervous system as well as other affected organs are also utilised in order to reduce specific tissue and organ damage and help in regeneration of healthy tissue. Special care needs to be taken to protect the liver, kidneys, and brain. Herbal medicines also need to be given to control the specific symptoms of affected individuals.
Depending upon the severity of the presenting symptoms in affected individuals, aggressive therapy may be required for about four to six months in order to control the symptoms or possibly bring about a complete remission of symptoms. After this, maintenance therapy in low doses with just a few medicines can be continued by the patient in order to prevent further deposition of copper in the body. Ayurvedic herbal treatment thus has a significant role to play in the management and treatment of Wilson disease.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
