Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic condition that is passed on by parents to their children through their genes and can cause serious liver disease in children and liver and/or lung disease in adults.

Symptoms of Alpha-1

• Family history of lung disease or liver disease symptoms
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing or non-responsive asthma
• Coughing with or without sputum (phlegm) production
• Recurring respiratory infections
• Rapid deterioration of lung function
• Unexplained liver problems and /or elevated liver enzymes

In patients with an Alpha1 lung condition supportive treatment is given as for other patients with chronic lung disease which include Inhalers, Antibiotics, Healthy eating, Lifestyle, Rehabilitation, Supplementary oxygen, Surgery options.

Medication given via inhaler: The medication within the inhaler is in a powdered form which you breathe in (inhale). The medication may be:

• A bronchodilator medicine. These medicines relax the muscles in the airways (bronchi) to open them up (dilate them) as widely as possible.
• A steroid medicine. Steroids reduce inflammation. A steroid inhaler may not have much effect on the usual symptoms of Alpha 1, but may help to prevent flare-ups.

People with this condition often have trouble breathing and are already on inhalers for asthma or bronchitis. All diagnosed Alphas should consider seeing a pulmonary specialist with experience in Alpha-1. But first, you should be tested for Alpha-1. You can ask your current doctor to order an Alpha-1 blood test, based on your symptoms, all of them good reasons to be tested. If for any reason your doctor is reluctant to do the testing, you can see the asthma/allergy specialist.

Inhalers are designed to send medicine directly to your lungs where it is needed. One advantage of this is that you usually need less medicine compared to oral doses (pills or liquids). Less medicine means fewer side effects. Initially the inhalers may be more difficult to use compared to swallowing pills. However, once you are comfortable using them, they become very routine. By learning to use your inhaler properly, you can better control your symptoms by getting the proper dose to your lungs.