Subject: HEREDITARY DISEASE


Hello,
My name is Kathleen Rae Littlefield Walters,and I would very much like to post this important information along to the Littlefield,Clifford,Loftus and Duffer families.
I and my youngest sister,have Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency,which is an inherited disease. It it often misdiagnoised as asthma because the symptoms are the same. Please take a moment to read the following or go to
the web site of,"www.alpha1.org"!
Thank you for posting this vital information.
Love & Light,
Kathleen Rae Littlefield Walters
www.youravon.com/kwalters/
pw...EarthMother
(by the way, 25% of all on-line proceeds from the avon web site will be donated to the Alpha 1 Association..if anyone would care to help out.)

Alpha 1 Association Position Statement:
Early Identification of Alpha-1.....

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1), also referred to as
alpha-1, is a relatively common genetic disorder characterized by low levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin (Alpha-1), a protein found in the blood. This deficiency manifests most commonly as lung disease, less commonly, as liver disease,
or more rarely, as a skin condition called panniculitis.
Several lines of evidence suggest 80,000 to 100,000 Americans have severe Alpha-1 or approximately 1 in 3,000 individuals. Given this high prevalence, it is surprising that many in the medical community perceive Alpha-1 to be rare. An alarming 95% of those estimated to have Alpha-1 have
not been identified. The Alpha 1 Association believes that early identification of this genetic disease is of paramount importance. Early identification can provide people with the education needed to allow them to effectively evaluate career
options, lifestyle choices and insurance needs.

The single most important thing a person with Alpha-1 can do is avoid smoking. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are strongly discouraged in Alpha-1 because they can hasten lung and liver damage, respectively.
It has been clearly shown that smoking advances the progression of emphysema in severely deficient individuals by as much as fifteen years over their nonsmoking counterparts. Environmental pollution must also be viewed
as a hazard for those with Alpha-1.

Because of the increased neutrophil elastase burden created during infection in an affected individual's lungs, the Alpha 1 Association strongly recommends prompt, aggressive treatment of infections. Such aggressive treatment should help slow the assault of neutrophil elastase on the under-protected lungs. The Alpha 1 Association strongly recommends that individuals discuss appropriate antibiotic therapy with their physician.
If indicated, an evaluation of bronchodilator therapy is also advised. The Association additionally recommends that individuals with Alpha-1 discuss physical fitness, nutrition, annual flu shots and the use of pneumonia vaccine with their health care provider.
While augmentation therapy to raise the level of protective proteins in the blood is available, this treatment is not recommended for all persons with Alpha-1. Augmentation therapy is not a cure. It will not reverse the lung damage which has already occurred, nor will it treat or prevent
Alpha-1 related liver problems.
The Alpha 1 Association will continue to work in partnership with the health care industry and the public to identify and to assist those with Alpha-1. The mission of the Alpha 1 Association is "to improve through support, education, and research, the quality of life of those affected by alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency."