Can Alpha-1 cause additional complications?
Yes, Alpha-1 can lead to lung destruction and is often misdiagnosed as asthma or smoking-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Alpha-1 can lead to liver failure in childhood, making it a major cause of liver transplantation in children. It also may cause progressive liver damage in adults, often going undetected until reaching a critical, life-threatening stage.
