ARTICLES / General /
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and Caregivers /
Other ArticlesBy Cheryl Ellis, Staff Writer
Administering any medications must be done as the
doctor directs. As with any medical decision,
if your loved one is diagnosed with Alpha-1, find a
doctor who recognizes the significance of diagnosis,
regardless of smoking history.
ONE DIAGNOSIS HELPS MANY
Within your own family, having a member diagnosed
with Alpha-1 can assist other family members should
problems crop up. Since diagnosis can be
confidential, testing can be done as a family health
project. The goal is to help future
generations maintain their health and receive
treatment appropriate to their situation. The
Alpha-1 Association has support groups, advocacy
efforts and information that bring power to patient
and caregiver.
Information can be frightening to some people.
Some worry that if the insurance company is aware,
they will be dropped. Alpha-1 seeks to
advocate on behalf of people who may be
discriminated against because of genetic conditions.
The more people who supply the organization with
information, the greater the chances of
understanding this (and other) genetic processes.
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