COPD Awareness: The Most Common Questions Answered

COPD Awareness: The Most Common Questions Answered

You always hear about cancer and heart disease as a couple of the leading causes of death in the United States. These two diseases get a lot of press, and as a result, many people are educated on them. Educating people about deadly diseases is extremely important because this will help to prevent them.

The third leading cause of death, and consequently, the one that is also the easiest to prevent, is COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
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Understanding Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency? – Symptoms and Treatment

Understanding Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency? - Symptoms and Treatment

While emphysema is most often connected with smoking cigarettes, not everyone who has emphysema, a form of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), acquires it from smoking or other external factors like air pollution or work in factories with chemical fumes. A genetic disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (known as A1AD or AAT) can cause emphysema in people with no other risk factors. [1]

Fortunately, with early detection and treatment, A1AD is treatable.

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What is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?

What is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (also known as Alpha-1, antitrypsin deficiency disorder, or A1AD), is a genetic disorder—it is inherited from a parent. A1AD primarily affects the lungs and liver [1]. Often, people with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency will most often develop the symptoms of lung problems between the ages of 20 and 50.

In some cases, oxygen therapy may be required in addition to inhaled and other medications. [2]

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