Is Asthma a Disability?

Asthma is a lung condition. It shows up when you inhale allergens viz., dust or pollen. These foreign particles can narrow finer tubules of your respiratory system. This makes your body to produce mucus which restricts flow of air to your lungs. This restriction can make you wheeze or gasp for breath. In most cases, asthmatic attacks can turn worse with work outs or at night. But is asthma a disability? It helps to have additional details.

Asthma is found to occur due to environmental and genetic reasons. If any of your parents has asthma, you are more likely to get it. In case of environmental factors, exposure to allergens and / or living in an air-polluted zone may cause such respiratory conditions. There is no permanent remedy for asthma. But you can manage its symptoms.

As per latest available data, nearly 300 million people are affected by it. More than 500,000 deaths are attributed to it. In most people living with asthma, sputum is made in their lungs; but most find it tough to bring it up with coughing. Your sputum may turn whitish as your system makes excessive count of white cells known as eosinophil. Signs are known to get worse during night hours or early hours of the day; exposure to cool air is one of the reasons.

A few other conditions may also accompany among those living with asthma. These include sleep apnea, sinusitis, acid reflux or acid burns. It is quite likely to experience a few mood-related conditions such as depression, staying anxious and ailments relating to the trachea i.e., respiratory tract.

Is asthma a disability?

Yes. it is categorised as a disability. As per the Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) clauses, this respiratory condition is indeed classified as one. A few years ago, ADA extended the definition of disability to include conditions that may show up intermittently. This amendment refers to conditions – such as asthma – which may not be present persistently; instead, they occur from time-to-time.

In other words, those with asthma do possess the rights to seek changes (reasonable ones though) when a few conditions at school or work make you a disadvantaged person. Those who can keep this lung condition under control may not turn eligible to claim benefits related to disability. But those who have severe forms of asthma can claim benefits via social security administration – in short, SSA.

A few states may allow you to turn eligible for supplemental security income – called SSI – especially, if you have fewer assets and also belong to a lower class of income.

However, in order to become eligible for asthma-linked benefits for disability, you need to have a scientific diagnosis of the lung condition. You also need to have availed treatment that are administered for severe spells of asthmatic condition. Such treatments are administration of antibiotic meds, extended sessions of bronchodilator therapies, intravenous administration of bronchodilator drugs, etc.

In general, health conditions that make you stay away from daily tasks like working, taking part in recreational programs or activities, participate in social or community activities and seeking preventive or treatment services are qualified as a disability. Asthma is characterised by shortness of respiratory cycles, tightening of chest, coughing as well as wheezing. These signs make you ill at ease, and thus prevent you from performing any of the aforesaid tasks.

Is asthma considered a disability Asthma can be considered a disability if it significantly limits daily activities or work. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), severe asthma may qualify for protections, requiring reasonable workplace accommodations. Social Security may also provide benefits if asthma meets its criteria for impairment, such as frequent hospitalizations or persistent symptoms despite treatment.

Medical science is yet to fully identify the likely cause which triggers an asthmatic spell. It is largely linked to a stronger response of your immune system. Your treating doctor may develop a personal asthma treatment plan; this plan has actions to be taken as well as medications. Drugs belonging to a genre called bronchodilators are widely used for treating asthma and similar respiratory conditions.

You are not advised to use bronchodilators on your own. It is a safe thing to adhere to your treating doctor’s advice and take meds accordingly.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.