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The mission

of the American Lung Association is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health.

News

08/19/2005

Gov. Joe Manchin awards a proclamation declaring May as Alpha-1 Month in May. Members of the Alpha-1 support group and their family accepted the proclamation on Wednesday, May 11.

Alpha-1 Fast Facts

May is Alpha-1 Awareness Month!

Does someone you know have a chronic breathing problem that isn’t responding to treatment? They could have Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, an under-diagnosed genetic disorder that can affect the lungs or the liver. It is more common than Cystic Fibrosis.

Researchers estimate that up to 100,000 adults and children in the United States have severe Alpha-1 and 2.5 million people nationwide may be carriers of this condition. Surprisingly, many medical professionals perceive Alpha-1 to be rare, so it is often misdiagnosed. An alarming 95 percent of people estimated to have Alpha-1 have not been identified.

Symptoms of the lung disorder may include shortness of breath, chronic cough and frequent respiratory infections and reduced lung function. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommend testing for Alpha-1 and for ANYONE diagnosed with COPD, asthma or other breathing difficulties. Alpha-1 can also affect the liver; it causes liver impairment and failure in both children and adults and it is the leading cause of childhood liver transplants.

May is Alpha-1 Awareness Month for the Mountain State and in many states across the country. The Alpha-1 Association and the Alpha-1 Foundation, two non-profit organizations, are dedicated to identifying those affected by Alpha-1 and improving the quality of their lives through support, education and advocacy. They are hopeful these efforts will save lives and improve the quality of life for millions around the nation. For more information on Alpha-1 contact the local support group at 1-877-WVALPHA or call the Alpha-1 Association at 1-800-521-3025.