| Disease | Injury | Nutrition | Poison |
| Special Topic | Surgery | Symptoms | Test |
| |
|
|
| Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention |
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency |
| Alternative Names: |
| AAT deficiency |
| Treatment: |
Replacement (augmentation) therapy with the missing AAT protein is available. However, it is not known how effective this is once disease has developed or which people would benefit most. Certainly, quitting smoking is crucial. Other treatments include bronchodilators and prompt antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections. |
| Expectations (prognosis): |
| Some people with this deficiency will not develop liver or lung disease. Emphysema and cirrhosis, however, are both progressive diseases that can kill.
|
| Complications: |
| Calling your health care provider: |
| Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
|
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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