Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Today we're learning about emphysema, a chronic lung condition affecting millions of people worldwide.
- It's usually caused by exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke or any other kind of smoking that you shouldn't be doing, but in rare cases, emphysema can be genetic and can make it hard to breathe, even in people who have never smoked.
- There is always hope. Don’t let your questions go unasked.
Becci Ryberg, living with Alpha-1 related emphysema
- As a 42-year-old smoker, Becci was diagnosed with genetic emphysema. It means she has an Alpha-1 deficiency, causing emphysema and liver damage.
- They told her she had the lungs of an 85-year-old. She had to immediately go on oxygen and now uses supplemental oxygen.
- Becci now gets infusions every week to help boosts the levels to fight off inflammation.
- Her kids have had genetic testing to help them avoid future problems.
- She is now able to go kayaking and live an active life. She learned to “work her body or her body won’t work.”
- Becci said the earlier you know, the more testing that can be done, and the more information we can gain to find a cure.
Dr. Leonard Riley, pulmonologist and Alpha-1 specialist, The University of Kansas Health System and Kansas City VA Medical Center
- The main purpose of Alpha-1 is as an anti-inflammatory – it binds to different inflammatory proteins in the body, neutralize them and quickly eliminates the inflammation.
- It's a protein that's made in the liver, and then it is secreted out into the body, predominantly in the lungs.
- So whenever we inhale something that may trigger inflammation or we have like a small bronchitis or a little pneumonia or tobacco smoke or any other inhalational exposure, this Alpha-1 goes in there, binds to it and helps neutralize that inflammation, cooling off the lungs. So it's kind of a repair substance.
- Alpha 1 is a very rare disease – about one in 2,000-5,000 people have it.
- Vaping can accelerate the damage.
- Patients just don’t rely on medication, they also undergo pulmonary rehab, which helps improve their symptom management.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention & Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- COVID wastewater testing and COVID-related hospitalizations are up nationwide.
- In the Midwest, there is a slight decrease in wastewater detection.
- With schools starting, the virus circulation may increase, so continue to use good hand hygiene.
- We are also entering respiratory virus season.
- We just need to be a little more careful, especially when you're out in crowded public spaces and if you have a history of more severe chronic disease, or you are living with someone who may be older or in a high risk category. It’s always OK to wear a mask.
Thursday, Aug. 22 at 8 a.m. is the next All Things Heart. A new mom went from spending a morning snuggling with her baby to the emergency department and a stunning diagnosis. Learn more about her story.
ATTENTION MEDIA: Please note access is with Microsoft Teams:
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 235 659 792 451
Passcode: 6CSfGE
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 913-318-8863,566341546# United States, Kansas City
TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI
Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital
YouTube.com/kuhospital
Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.