A doctor can help you determine which treatments may be most effective, or most appropriate. Not all treatments are right for everyone, and researchers continue to develop new treatments.

Some of interventions for treating lung disease include:

• Vaccinations for pneumonia and annual flu shots
• Inhaled bronchodilators
• Augmentation therapy
• Oxygen supplementation
• Lung rehabilitation
• Various drug treatments
• Corticosteroid or antibiotic treatments during infections
• Lung transplant

There is no cure or specific intervention for liver disease, but treatments can include:

• Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B
• Avoiding or minimizing alcohol consumption
• Various drug treatments
• Liver transplant

Augmentation Therapy

Augmentation therapy is the only approved treatment for lung disease in people with Alpha-1. In augmentation therapy, people with Alpha-1 are given supplemental AAT – the protein that is deficient in Alpha-1. This AAT comes from human plasma (a component of the blood) and is delivered intravenously (into the blood stream).

Augmentation therapy has been proven to slow the progression of lung impairment in people with emphysema or other lung complications. It is most effective for people with moderate disease. It remains unclear how effective it is for people with mild or severe disease and it is not recommended for people with no lung impairment. This topic is currently under study.