Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/12/2007

Question
I just came in the army 1 year ago during basic training I found out that I have severe asthma the doctors then gave me a inhaler and i still had problems breathing but I made it through then when I got to AIT I recieved another inhaler and was told to just keep taking the inhaler. I am now stationed in Alaska and I have the worst time trying to breath the doctors here are telling me that if I can not get control of my asthma then they will send me to the medical board for discharge. Can they do that? Is it possible for me to get discharged for asthma and if so will it be a dishonorable or honorable. Before the army I was fine the doctor says that the army did not give me asthma but I think it is funny that I was breathing fine before.

Answer
Dear Adeclue --

The Army can medically discharge you if asthma is keeping you from being able to do your Army job.  

You will receive an honorable discharge unless you are refusing to do your job or refusing acceptable treatment and thus cannot do your job.  In this case, you would be getting an unsuitability discharge, not a medical discharge.  

Changes in environment and changes in levels of stress can cause someone to have asthma attacks even if you have not had them before.  

You may also have a condition such as exercise induced asthma when dry air causes your airways to swell when you exercise hard.  Alaska itself may be a problem for you either due to local allergens, the air quality, or the level of moisture in the air.  

You should be receiving a stress test to see what triggers an attack so they know how to treat your symptoms.  Ask your platoon sergeant to help you get the medical testing you need, so you are not medically discharged, if there is a treatment that works for you.

I wish you the best of luck in getting to the root of your asthma problem.