When Should You Call the Doctor About Your Breathing Issues?
United States military veterans know what it means to take a risk, serving our country in the face of significant danger. Yet, they might not know about the potential prospect of developing lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and bronchiolitis following overseas deployment. This combination of illnesses, called “War Lung Disease,” […]
Can Asthma be Related to War Burn Pits?
Since the 1990s, veterans deployed in Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, and Iraq have used open-air burn pits to dispose of waste. During both their occupation in the military and in the following years, many soldiers were diagnosed with asthma, sinusitis, and bronchitis. Because of the frequency with which they seemed to contract similar symptoms, many began […]
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Veterans
Some veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who were exposed to hazards such as burn pits, sandstorms, and improvised explosive devices may now have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s only one of the many lung conditions that are now known more broadly as “War Lung Disease,” which also encompasses other conditions such […]
Origins of War Lung Disease
Numerous veterans of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan have self-reported mysterious respiratory symptoms after their deployment. What’s known as “War Lung Disease” is actually a set of lung conditions resulting from exposure to a variety of different airborne hazards in these wars. Medical studies have found a plausible linkage between respiratory illnesses veterans […]
COVID-19 Vaccine Information for People with Lung Conditions
People with breathing problems and lung conditions are more likely to develop severe cases of COVID-19 if they contract the virus. Patients with shortness of breath are several times more likely to develop severe COVID-19 and be admitted to the intensive care unit. In fact, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a progressive lung disease that causes […]
Common Illnesses Associated with Burn Pits
In the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, burn pits were used to dispose of solid and human waste. They were often located near the living quarters of military personnel, exposing them to airborne health hazards. Although service members have complained about the health problems they’ve experienced likely due burn pit exposure, in the past it […]
Most Common Signs of War Lung Disease
War lung disease may be affecting thousands of veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars after being exposed to burn pits and other airborne health hazards. “War lung disease” encompasses a number of different lung conditions that may have long-term consequences for military personnel post-deployment. These include asthma, obstructions to the airways, constrictive […]
What is War Lung Disease
War lung disease is a mysterious pulmonary illness that some military veterans suffer from after being exposed to burn pits, sandstorms, and other hazards of war. It’s a condition that affects many veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but is difficult for doctors to diagnose. To date, more than 360,000 veterans of the […]
Mankato veteran pushed for new toxic burn pit legislation expanding health care benefits for veterans
President Joe Biden last week signed landmark legislation poised to expand health care benefits for millions of veterans battling illness after exposure to toxic substances during their military service.
After a long battle, veterans celebrate PACT Act’s passage. But the war goes on for many
After a week of delay and debate in Congress, President Biden on Monday will sign legislation that makes it easier for veterans to get VA benefits after becoming sick from exposure to toxins in war zones.