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Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an
innate disorder that can cause lung disease
in adults and liver disease in adults and children.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein
that guards the lungs. The liver typically makes the
protein, and releases it into the bloodstream. Because
of a gene problem, few people have little or none of
it. Not having enough AAT puts you
at jeopardy of emphysema or liver problems. Three in
four adults with a stern deficiency will get emphysema,
some when they are younger than 40. If you smoke, you
augment your risk. Children with AAT deficiency can
build up liver problems that last their whole lives.
AAT deficiency can be treated but not
healed one treatment entails adding to or replacing
the missing protein. A lung transplant
may be a choice if you are seriously ill. Staying away
from cigarette smoke is vital.
A blood test may tell if you have the deficiency. If
you have it, your family members should also undergo
the blood test.
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