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Alpha1 Germany eV.
Get vaccinated against the flu by the end of October at the latest, as doctors are expecting a severe and, above all, early flu season. One indication of this is Australia, which is six months behind us. There, a sharp and unusually early increase in influenza cases occurred at the end of winter.
Our immune system is probably not adequately prepared for the flu. During the coronavirus pandemic, our immune system was exposed to fewer viruses and bacteria because we had significantly less contact with other people. As a result, our immune system is not sufficiently trained.
Unfortunately, the flu virus changes every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) revisits the composition of the vaccine annually. This season, the vaccine contains antigens from the variants known from Southern Hemisphere circulation for the influenza A (H1N1) and (H3N2) virus strains, as well as the two influenza B lineages Austria and Phuket (information from the WHO). NDR Guide Health).
Simultaneous vaccination against Covid-19 and the flu is also possible. If you haven't already done so, make an appointment with your doctor, who will know best which course of action is right for you.
News about the Covid-19 vaccination
Three COVID-19 vaccines, specifically targeting the omicron variants, received EU-wide approval in September. BioNTech and Moderna offer vaccines against the BA.1 type, and BioNTech also has a vaccine against the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.
More information is available as always on the Pages of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) to find. Of course, a reference to the... should also be included. current newsletter of the MHH for our transplant recipients.
Focus Events
In our last newsletter, we highlighted upcoming events. This time, we would like to focus on events that have already taken place:
The event took place on September 3rd. 14th Lung Symposium (better known to many as "Hattingen") will take place virtually from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can watch all the presentations on the COPD Germany website.
We particularly enjoyed the presentations „Long-term oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation as important therapy options“ by Dr. Susanne Lang and „COPD – Nutrition in underweight and overweight patients“ by Britta Ziebarth and Roxana J. Nolte-Jochheim.
While browsing the pages of ERN Rare Liver (European Reference Network for Rare Liver Diseases) we noticed a seminar in German: the doctor-patient seminar of the German Liver Foundation on September 17, 2022, which was conducted by the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.
Everything is certainly worth watching, but two videos in particular caught our eye: „Can I influence my liver disease with my diet?“ by Valerie Böker and „What does the psyche do to the liver, what does the liver do to the psyche?“ by Dr. Natalie Uhlenbusch.
The Alpha 1 events in Heidelberg and Stuttgart were a great success and provided participants with a wealth of information. Reports on these events will be published shortly in the journal (planned for early December).
1st Digital AlphaCare Regional Day
AlphaCare, the patient service program of Grifols, and the Alpha-1 self-help group Münsterland We cordially invite you to the digital AlphaCare Regional Day. This time the topic is "Law and Social Issues in Chronic Illnesses".
Children's and Youth Day
Sat. Nov. 5th 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m
Patient event „Fit through the winter with AATM“
Sat. Nov. 12, 10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m
New on our website: the Alpha-1 glossary.
Today D is for DGP
You know this from our reports: always these abbreviations! Every year we report on the DGP Congress, and 'DGP' also comes up again and again in our presentations, but what does it actually stand for, who does what there, and why? The German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine e. V (DGP) short video created and we thank the society for its valuable work for us patients.
The following is currently happening, among other times on September 15, 2022: Press release The German Society for Pneumology (DGP) has published a paper entitled: „New possibilities for COPD diagnostics and therapy: Groundbreaking position paper makes concrete treatment suggestions.“ The authors, Prof. Wolfram Windisch and Prof. Daiana Stolz, emphasize the importance of effective treatment.
Practical things for our everyday life
Everyone knows the feeling, but hardly anyone changes their habits: We're talking about doctor's visits and the questions that go unanswered. Sound familiar? Then you're not alone, and you're not particularly forgetful either, because studies show that we only retain 10-20% of what the doctor says. Since what the doctor tells us is important – at least usually – we should work on retaining more. Checklists can help with this, especially good ones that are tailored to your individual needs. Compilable lists can be found on the pages of Patients University.
If many questions remain unanswered after a doctor's appointment, take someone you trust with you. Four ears hear more, and two brains remember more, and usually different, things.
Good for us
Sometimes one doctor isn't enough, and a whole team is needed. It's good to know that the Thoracic Surgery Heidelberg Awarded Center of Excellence Congratulations on this special award on behalf of the many patients who have already benefited from thoracic surgery (more information on our website at [link to website]). Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and treatment), e.g. with the Volume reduction or with valves.
And finally, something to learn and participate in:
7 reasons to exercise in the fresh air including a small Workouts. However, given the autumnal temperatures, we recommend not doing the training barefoot and placing a thermal seat cushion under your bottom 😉.
