Homozygous alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for:
Severe difficulty breathing or blue-grey lips
New confusion, extreme drowsiness, or collapse
Coughing or vomiting blood
Black, tar-like stools
Sudden chest pain with marked breathlessness
These symptoms can have several causes.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek prompt medical advice for a sudden worsening of breathlessness, fever with worsening respiratory symptoms, new jaundice, a rapidly swelling abdomen, leg swelling, or painful skin lumps that break down.
They require urgent assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine medical review if you develop a lasting cough, wheeze, reduced exercise tolerance, unexplained abnormal liver tests, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Review is also appropriate if symptoms are gradually changing or if a close relative has been diagnosed.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Homozygous alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.