How Is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Treated?
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency has no cure. However, the lung diseases associated with this inherited condition have many treatments. Most of these treatments are the same as the ones used for a lung disease called COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). If you have symptoms related to AAT deficiency, your doctor may recommend: • Medicines called inhaled bronchodilators (brong-ko-di-LA-tors) and inhaled steroids. These medicines help open your airways and make breathing easier. They also are used to treat asthma and COPD. • Flu and pneumococcus (noo-mo-KOK-us) vaccines to protect you from illnesses that could make your condition worse. • Pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab). Rehab involves treatment by a team of experts at a special clinic. In rehab, you ll learn how to manage your condition and function at your best. • Extra oxygen, if needed. • A lung transplant. You may need a transplant if damage to your lung causes severe breathing problems. If you have a good chance of su
