Doctor, here's my complaint

Doctor, you should test everybody with COPD for Alpha-1.

That's what the American Thoracic Society says. And the European Respiratory Society. And the World Health Organization.

You don't do that, doc. (I don't know any doctors who do.) This doesn't bother me a bit. COPD involves millions of patients, and I know you're super busy. Here's what does bother me:

You don't even test the prime suspects.

People with severe lung damage at 35 or 45 years old should be tested for Alpha-1, no exceptions. They're not being. Not by many, many doctors, including pulmonary specialists.

I often talk to these newly-diagnosed Alphas. With proper treatment, their massive lung damage might have been stopped or slowed, years ago.

That bothers me very much.

What's Alpha-1?

What's Alpha-1? And who cares?
Nobody cares. No reason you should. Unless... * You get short of breath easily. * You have asthma. * You get a lot of colds, and they always seem to be worse than other people's and stay around longer. * You have COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, whatever your doctor calls it). * You have liver disease and you were never a heavy drinker. * Somebody you love has these symptoms. In that case, you need more information. It can make a huge difference in your health. It might even save your life. You can check the links in these posts for lots more information. You can also email me; see the link above.

AlphaMale