Listen: Alpha-1 awareness

1.2 million people in the UK suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It can cause breathlessness during exercise, a long-lasting cough with excessive phlegm, wheezing and repeated chest infections. COPD is often caused by age, smoking, etc. but one of the lesser-known causes is a rare, genetic disease, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD). However, a lack of awareness – in patients and healthcare professionals – and therefore a lack of testing for AATD can often result in misdiagnosis.

But tests do exist. And, in fact, experts have recommended that all people diagnosed with COPD should be tested for AATD, to rule it out as a possibility.

Community and industry organisations recognise the importance of awareness and access to testing and therefore are calling on people living with COPD or respiratory issues to take an online, interactive quiz to help them recognise if they may be experiencing signs of AATD and explore how to get tested.

Aston spoke to Karen O’Hara, chair of Alpha 1 UK Support Group.