Handy Health Tips for Alpha-1's  from Alphas-1's
OR
Handy Healthy Tips for all Heart and Lungs

Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (A1AD) - a genetic disease that effects the lungs and liver and can result in requiring a lung or liver transplant.

Exercise -  Use it or Lose it is the motto! Weak, underused muscles use more oxygen (it becomes obvious - tasks and breathing become more difficult) = Use a treadmill and weights or just walk; it really does make a big difference. Breathe deeply to assist the liver in detoxifying, as the liver is dependent on the amount of oxygen coming in through the lungs. Aerobic exercise (even walking) helps for the same reason. (Remember, check with your doctor first.)

Positive Attitude - which can be hard to keep up at times (which is also ok — a good cry can do wonders once in while) take charge of your health, don't let it take charge of you!

Minimize Stress -  as best you can  - Stress shows up in breathing and with ability to fight off infections; a lot of the time we have no control over stresses in our lives, but where we do have control, make changes to lessen the stress in your life.

Get Flu Shot  - every year; also pneumonia shot then booster shots as recommended by doctor. Alphas, don't forget Hep. shots as well.

Support your liver - Avoid putting un-due stress onto your liver AlAD can affect both the lungs and liver. Remember everything you touch, smell eat and drink has to be filtered through your liver. Drink little or no alcohol; Avoid caffeine: and do your best to avoid harmful chemicals especially cleaning solvents and pesticides: Reduce exposure to chemicals in the home and workplace as much as possible – try natural cleaning product alternatives, such as eucalyptus oil and bicarb. Soda.

Eat lots of fresh vegetables -  Include lots of fresh vegetables in your diet, particularly cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage, which are good for the liver. "Green foods" such as seaweed, spinach, spirulina and wheat grass are also liver-friendly. Vitamin C- rich foods boost antioxidant levels, to protect the liver and help the body's healing processes. These foods include citrus fruit, strawberries, red capsicum, dark green vegetables and kiwi fruit.

Avoid saturated fats - especially fried foods, sugary foods, meat, processed food, additives, preservatives) especially phosphates) and colourings. They're harder for the liver to process. Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) provide an excellent source of Omega 3, which helps combat inflammation, a side effect of some liver conditions.

Avoid - drugs and medications except where prescribed –

Quit smoking - and stay away from smoky areas. Inhaling cigarette smoke is known to accelerate the destructive processes at work in the lungs and puts the development of lung disease on the "fast-track." For Alphas who smoke, that fast track becomes an "express train." Second hand smoke can also cause considerable damage to the lungs of Alphas who do not smoke themselves. Smoking also adds more toxic chemicals for the liver to process;

Eat Small Meals - a large meal pushes the abdomen up against the diaphragm causing shortness of breath = Eat several small meals, several times during the day. Over-eating also puts un-due stress onto the liver.

Go into a Defensive Mode - at the first sign of an infection = Get lots of rest, eat well and, if necessary, get on an antibiotic early on (if you're at all junky or have a fever, get on an antibiotic, at the first sign of an infection. Go see your Doctor!

Flush out Your Sinuses - This is not the same thing as using a spray bottle of saline solution; that is for wetting a dry nose! To adequately flush your sinuses you have to use about two cups of warm saline solution once a day to keep those pesky little germs away.

Use Disposable Masks - Use them anywhere germs might be dangerous - in stores, in movie theatres, and even at home; Very useful when cleaning out dusty areas' around the house.

Carry Waterless Hand cleaner – like wet ones or (whatever brand) to wipe hands after being in public areas' – trolley handles at the shops carry lots of germs.

Don't Touch Your Face with Your Hands - they are germ carriers Avoid Direct Contact, especially when in public places such as public amenities. Open door with elbow, paper towel, sleeve of shirt, gloves or wrist: – anything but your hands! Not everyone washes his or her hands!!

Wash Hands - regularly!!! Wash! Wash! Wash!

Avoid All "Smelly" Things -  even pleasant odours, they can irritate and cause coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath; eliminate perfumes or after shaves in the home.

Get up and get moving every Single Morning! - Languishing in bed in the mornings, even if retired, can worsen breathing and sap stamina

Get involved - with an activity that takes your mind off your disease - Be it a good trashy novel, learning to draw/paint, do needlepoint; whatever interests you.

Try to Maintain Weight -  at a place that is ideal for you = If weight is up, breathing is a struggle; if it starts to get too low, the immune system may be lowered

Stop and Rest - when tired.

Know Your Body  - There are days when walking from one room to another is a problem; on those days, take it as a warning and slow down and get some rest (instead of getting the floors done, sit at the computer, read a book or watch TV—the floors will wait for a good breathing day).

Stay away from Sick People -Shop really early or really late when the super-market is less crowded.

Don't Live in a Bubble - you have to live a quality life and have fun— you may get hit by a car tomorrow, who knows when it's your time.

Get Work within Your Capacities - if your work gives up on you = Finding a job with less stress, shorter hours, and in the country or suburbs rather than in the city can help you keep working longer.

Get Regular Dental Check-ups -  especially before transplant = Inhalers can create some gum problems, even with the rinsing, and so forth. Get all or as much as possible done before transplant and then continue check-ups every six months. After transplant your body is so immune compromised you're already behind the eight ball even before the work begins. Also the mouth has some of the nastiest germs around, so get those dental check-ups.

Avoid Underground Railways - There are too many underground flights of stairs and the air quality is bad; use taxis or buses instead, if you don't like driving in large cities.

Jules :)

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