[Congressional Bills 117th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. Res. 792 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 792 Expressing support for the designation of November 2022 as ``National Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Awareness Month''. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 22, 2022 Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Mr. Rubio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions _______________________________________________________________________ RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of November 2022 as ``National Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Awareness Month''. Whereas an estimated 1 in every 2,500 individuals in the United States have the genetic disorder alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (referred to in this preamble as ``Alpha-1''); Whereas there are an estimated 19,000,000 carriers of Alpha-1 in the United States who may pass Alpha-1 on to their children; Whereas Alpha-1 can lead to lung destruction and is often misdiagnosed as asthma or smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Whereas Alpha-1 symptoms relating to the lungs include-- (1) shortness of breath; (2) wheezing; (3) chronic bronchitis; (4) recurring chest colds; (5) less exercise tolerance; (6) year-round allergies; and (7) bronchiectasis; Whereas Alpha-1 occurs when there is a lack of a protein in the blood called alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is mainly produced by the liver; Whereas Alpha-1 symptoms relating to the liver include-- (1) unexplained liver disease or elevated liver enzymes; (2) eyes and skin turning yellow, known as jaundice; (3) swelling of the abdomen, known as ascites, or legs; and (4) vomiting blood; Whereas Alpha-1 is the most commonly known genetic risk factor for emphysema; Whereas Alpha-1 can affect individuals at any age; Whereas Alpha-1 cannot be diagnosed by symptoms or by a medical examination alone; Whereas individuals who may have Alpha-1 must take a blood test to confirm a diagnosis; Whereas early diagnosis and avoiding risk factors, such as smoking, can help prevent Alpha-1 from causing disease; and Whereas November 2022 would be an appropriate month to designate as National Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Awareness Month to-- (1) raise awareness about Alpha-1; and (2) encourage more individuals to get tested for Alpha-1 if they present symptoms: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate supports the designation of November 2022 as ``National Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Awareness Month''. <all>