Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, sometimes referred to as A1AD, is a rare hereditary medical condition that causes an individual to be deficient in the protein Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), which is crucial in protecting the body, particularly the lungs and liver, from naturally occurring enzymes used by the body to digest damaged cells and bacteria. The naturally occurring enzyme, neutrophil elastase, is fundamental to the health of the lungs and liver, because it fights degenerative toxins, but in a person with A1AD, it is detrimental to healthy cells as well.

Fortunately for most people, especially children of patients suffering from A1AD, the condition is quite rare. It is a recessive trait and therefore a person must inherit abnormal ATT genes from both parents in order to suffer from the symptoms of the disorder. This is not to say that A1AD should not be considered a real threat to a person's health and well-being, because the lungs and liver are truly fundamental to a person's life, but rather to reassure those who may be related to someone with A1AD that the chances are slim of anyone else being affected as well.

Because A1AD is a genetic disorder, medical evidence or symptoms may be present from birth, however not all patients will present any symptoms whatsoever. In the worst cases, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency might cause emphysema due to the damage caused by the neutrophil elastase in the patient's lungs. Obviously, smoking or working in conditions of poor air quality will greatly exacerbate any natural tendency toward emphysema and should therefore be carefully avoided by a person with A1AD. In the worst cases, A1AD patients must receive lung transplants as the damage from the neutrophil elastase becomes too severe.

Another potentially fatal threat to the health of an Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficient patient is cirrhosis of the liver. Again, the essentially helpful protein neutrophil elastase, while doing its job of clearing the liver of harmful toxins and bacteria, also causes irreparable damage to the healthy, useful liver cells in individuals with A1AD. Therefore, the food and beverage intake of a person with A1AD must be carefully monitored by a medical professional so as to minimize any self-inflicted liver damage. Again, sometimes the liver of the A1AD patient becomes so damaged by its own naturally occurring enzymes that the only solution is a liver transplant. Fortunately for these individuals, the new liver generally is not AAT deficient and the person is able to lead a healthy, normal life after the transplant.

Again, because every patient presents their A1AD symptoms differently, there will be variations in how each person experiences and manages their disorder. For those individuals who are fortunate enough not to suffer from emphysema or cirrhosis of the liver, some more minor indications may be present. These could include shortness of breath, either with or without physical exertion, chronic bronchitis, unintended and unexplained weight loss, regular wheezing, nausea, and general weakness.

If someone is suspected of having Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, there are several methods by which a medical professional may diagnose this condition. First, a physical examination may reveal a barrel-shaped chest, and upon listening to the lungs, the doctor may perceive wheezing or labored breathing. At this point the doctor may order that certain blood tests be perform to determine the presence, or absence, of Alpha-1 antitrypsin in the patient's blood stream. CT scans and x-rays of the chest might also be performed, as well as an assessment of the arterial blood gases, and a pulmonary function test.

Of course, a thorough analysis of the overall health of the patient should also be performed. Indicators of A1AD could include early onset emphysema, such as before the age of 45, particularly if the patient has never been a smoker or worked in conditions with poor or toxic air quality. The presence of hepatitis or liver disease in a person who has always been careful about his or her health and diet would also indicate to a doctor that further testing to establish the presence of AAT in a person should be executed.

Although rare, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can be a very damaging and difficult disorder to manage. And because of its rarity, diagnosis is sometimes challenging and time consuming. Any person who suspects the absence of AAT due to the presence of the above outlined symptoms should immediately seek the advice of a medical professional and determine the best course of action should they eventually be diagnosed with A1AD.

The Key to a Six Pack is Not a Mystery Anymore

You know that you have seen them. Those individuals who have that perfect physique. They have what you have always longed for a six pack. You crave that definition and tone in your abdominals, but you are not quite sure how to achieve the look. Well, the good news is that there are easy ways to get your abs in shape, which will also improve your health.

The first thing that you need to think about is your diet. A balanced diet everyday is an important aspect in the quest for your perfect stomach and your overall health. Basically, you want to clear away the layer of fat that is covering up your abdominal muscles. A really good rule of thumb is to try to actually eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day. This will help to kick start your metabolism so that it is burning more fat in a shorter period of time.

You will want to reduce or even eliminate the high fat and high sugar foods that can pile fat on. White flours, sweets, and lots of oils can really derail your fitness goals. Instead you want to focus on whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables. The truth is no matter what type of ab exercise you do you will not get that fabulous stomach unless you are eating a balanced diet.

To really tone up your abs you will need to focus on participating in a diverse workout routine. The best thing is to try to work out at least three - five times a week for 20-30 minutes at a time. Additionally, you will want to engage in a bit of cross training to be able to get the best results. You will want to shift between weight training, cardio, and ab exercises.

The great thing about cardio is that it will get your heart rate up so that you can burn fat faster. Running, swimming, cycling, and aerobics are some of the fun activities that can really get you moving. You will want to be sure that cardio is a full part of your workout regime so that you can tone up overall.

Weight training is important as well because simply losing weight is not the goal. The goal is to be svelte and toned which is where weights come in to play. Basically, as you are training your body with weights you are also training your body to burn more calories when in a resting state.

Ab exercises are essential to any program that is geared towards slimming down and defining your midsection. You want to be sure that you are working on your abdominals at least three times a week to ensure that they are getting enough attention. The key to getting the most out of your ab exercises is to actually slow down your workout so that you are able to isolate each of the layers of the abdominal wall. So what are some of the best ab exercises to try?

The reverse crunch is a fantastic way to tone up the lower portion of your abs. To do this you will want to lie flat on the floor with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. As you lie there you are going to put your hands either to your side or up by your head behind your ears. You will then engage your abs to lift your rear up off of the floor. You will do several repetitions of this.

Another ab exercise that can really help to get your middle in shape is to do a plank. The bent-elbow plank is actually a fantastic exercise for your entire middle. You want to start by laying face down on the floor. Then lift yourself up onto your forearms while being perched on your tip toes. Hold this position for five to ten seconds and then allow yourself to rest. Repeat as desired. Eventually you are going to want to work towards being able to hold the plank for a longer time period. Additionally, the entire time that you are up in your plank you need to keep your abdominals engaged.

The truth is that to get those six pack abs you need to put in quite a bit of effort. You need to watch your diet, increase your exercise routine, and focus on ab exercises that can hit all of the layers of your abdominals.