What happens if you get diagnosed with asthma in the military?

Military personnel who develop symptoms of asthma are frequently declared unfit for service pending medical review. This has ramifications for the recruit and leads to avoidable healthcare costs.

Can you get a waiver for asthma in the military?

Recruits with minor, controllable symptoms can request a waiver. Asthma, only if requiring treatment after a recruit’s 13th birthday, may disqualify an individual from serving. This is a change from the military’s previous disqualification of all candidates with any history of asthma.

Does exercise induced asthma disqualify you from the military?

Asthma. Asthma (493), including reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm or asthmatic bronchitis, reliably diagnosed and symptomatic after the 13th birthday is disqualifying.

Can you have asthma in the military?

Asthma is common in active-duty service members, despite the diagnosis limiting entrance into the military, and there is potential for significant rates of underdiagnosis among new recruits.

How do you get rid of asthma without an inhaler?

Read on to learn more.

1. Sit up straight. Sitting upright can help keep your airways open.
2. Remain calm. Try to remain as calm as you can while you’re having an asthma attack.
3. Steady your breathing. Try to take slow, steady breaths during your attack.
4. Move away from triggers.
5. Call 911.

Is caffeine good for asthma?

Caffeine appears to improve airways function modestly, for up to four hours, in people with asthma. People may need to avoid caffeine for at least four hours prior to lung function testing, as caffeine ingestion could cause misinterpretation of the results.

How old do you have to be to join the military with asthma?

Military Rules for Recruits with Asthma. Applicants who have experienced asthma or reactive airway disease after age 13 will require all medical documentation. Waivers may still be considered, depending on the applicant’s medical history and possibly results from a pulmonary function test.

When does asthma become a disqualifying condition in the military?

In the present day, asthma is only disqualifying if it occurs after the applicant’s 13th birthday. Some waivers were granted back then, but typically only for non-combat jobs. Medical record screening may still be required, depending on the applicant’s medical history.

Can a person with asthma join the Coast Guard?

“With the Coast Guard, if you’re taking any asthma medications it is a disqualifier. In the Coast Guard, the service person must have spirometer test, and the recruit must get doctor’s consultation. The recruit will not be able to do strenuous jobs.”

Is it possible to get a medical waiver for asthma?

While medical waivers were sometimes possible, waiver approval usually required scheduling and passing a pulmonary function test. In the present day, asthma is only disqualifying if it occurs after the applicant’s 13th birthday. Some waivers were granted back then, but typically only for non-combat jobs.