Aviation Medicine

What are the rules regarding flying, DNIF, etc if someone loses consciousness? Hoser

I'm a non-prior who has completed the initial flying class 1. I posted a while back about floaters in my eye that started occuring after my initial flying class physical. I went to an opthomologist who said not to worry about them, but to get them checked out annually just to be cautious. I know floaters are not disqualifying as long as they don't disrupt normal vision. I would like to keep watch of the floaters as the doc said, but I also know I'd never want to outright mention a medical issue to the AF that didn't inhibit performance. My question is, once you're in the AF, can you go to a private doctor or opthomologist for an opinion, or are you at the mercy of the…

April 27, 2005 This thread will serve as my personal diary to help me follow my progress in improving my vision with the help of eye exercise introduced by the See Clearly Method program. I thought it would be a good idea because it seems there are many on these forums who wonder a lot if this stuff really does work. I haven't been to an eye doctor in over a year and a half so I can assume my vision is somewhere in between 20/50-20/70 with slight astigmatism. Last time I checked it was 20/40 but it probably got worse by now. Whatever it is, by the end of this year I will correct my vision to 20/20 or better, with no astigmatism (this program claims to be able to correc…

I have a quick question regarding Thalassemia Minor. It's a gene that I've received from my family that shows wacky blood levels. I produce more blood cells than normal. It does not affect me at all, just shows up in my blood and I've always had it. I was recently picked up for a pilot slot and I am waiting to see when I go to Brooks for my flying class I. I'm no longer anemic, I've been taking folic acid to raise my hemaglobin/hematocrit levels and they are normal. Is this condition waiverable? I'll provide more details if needed, but I can't stress enough how it does not affect me at all. Thanks.

I received my FC1 back today from AETC and I was disqualified for the hip to knee measurement (28in). I called the base that I took the original FC1 and they told me to come in and they would do it again. I went in,they did it again and I passed(25 in). I had pretty good idea that something was screwed up because I am only 5'11 and I do not have freakishly low knees. My question is this. When I send my stuff back in to AETC will they recheck the entire thing or will they look at the amendment that says I'm not a freak and stamp it passed. I'm worried because I am running out of time for the upcoming reserve board. Thanks

recently had my fc1a which went smoothly. got recent results back from my last pap and they came back abnormal graded low severity. i'm going into the doctors in a week to have further tests for HPV... assuming this is the case, how long do i have to wait for my flight physical to be considered for approval...(like do i have to have a certain # of clear paps before its submitted, or a certain amount of time?) :(

Yea, not the most fun topic, but this is what caused the C5 squadron in Newburgh to not seek a medical waiver. The details are what hurt me. November 2003. Had a slight case of bright red blood only when wiping, and only in small amounts. I contributed this later to food from the dining center, but I get checked out several times anyways. It was intermittent for a month, then in December, no more bleeding, and still none to this day. They (military docs) decide in December to send me to a civilian doc for a colonoscopy in January '04 depite my insistence that I've had no bleeding. The colonoscopy day rolls around and I get to see the butt doc and am prepped for the pr…

So I'm headed to Brooks this summer and was curious if bunions are anything to be worried about? For my DODMERB I had to get a letter from a podiatrist saying I had no problems with any type of miliary footwear. This was just a letter, and not a waiver. Also, do you know if you can get DQ'd for having a bunionectomy? My bunion is moderate, but I'd prefer just to get it fixed and not have to worry aobut it. I have no pain or complications from it, other than it being an eyesore. Thanks.

I donate plasma for a little bit of extra money while I am in school. Is this going to affect my physical results? I am just wondering if it is still okay to do before I go to Brooks at the end of the summer.

Hey I was diagnosed with Benign Familial Hematuria, aka Thin-Basement-Membrane Nephropathy, years ago (I'm 18). I was tested and found that my kidneys are completely healthy. It only shows up intermittently. As far as the rest of me goes, I am healthy, and I'm not affected in any other way. So, I just got back from my DODMERB for my ROTC scholarship, and my urine test came back with a positive on blood: 2+ and 8-12 RBC/HPF. I wasn't that surprised, but I found a list of conditions that are disqualifying for FC1, and "progressive or recurrent hematuria" is one of them. My question is, would my situation be considered disqualifying and, if it is, are there waivers ava…

I have a question concerning hypoxia; I did a search on this site and couldn't find any previous threads on this subject. I retired from the USAF in 2001 after many years of flying on the AC-130U Gunship; big fun, I still can't believe they paid me to do that job, haha, I would have paid them. Since my retirement I've been doing "contract" work flying over the friendly skies of Kosovo for the US KFOR and NATO. Lately we've been spending a lot of time around 13K MSL for up to 6+ hours unpressurized while flying over our targets. We have the wimpy civilian nasal cannula type O2 system on board. I've noticed that I'm experiencing hypoxia while climbing through 11.5 for 1…

I have kind of low gum lines in my mouth. When I had braces my orthodontist said I should get gingival augmentation to build my gums up. I never got it done. My gums don't seem to be receeding beyond their current level. They are kind of freakishly low though. Should I get the augmentation just to be safe?

Was at Brooks last week and found out I have a DQ condition known as Fleck dystrophy...basically little opaque spots on my cornea. They don't effect my vision at all, and they took a whole extra day to put me through every eye test I think ever invented, so I'm hoping the waiver process won't be too difficult. I also need a waiver for near acuity, but they were able to correct both my eyes down to 20/10. Also, the eye doc said the spots will not likely progress and get worse, so combined with that and the fact that my vision is correctable to 20/10, do you think I'll get the waiver pretty easily?

Poland’s syndrome (Brachymesophalangeal triphalangy type), a congenital deformity consisting of ipsilateral absence of the pectoralis major muscle and in some cases syndactyly. My brother has the above condition. He was able to attain an FAA Class 1 flying physical but is required to get a 1,000 test done every year to renew it. It's a long shot...but is that wavierable?

any one know where I can find the Air Force regs on uvietis and or iritis for pilot candidates?? thanks for all your help

Will taking Lamisil tabs DNIF you? Also, does the Air Force prescribe Lamisil to flyers? Thanks

When I was 12 I was diagnosed with a Slipped Epiphysis. The doctor put a five inch steel pin in my hip to correct the problem. I spoke with the NCO's at the Det about it, and they told me that it was a disqualifying condition. They said that I might be able to get a waiver, but that they had never worked with the condition before (it happens to 3 in every 100,000). I just want to know if anybody has ever worked with this condition before, or what the flight docs know about it. The hip is fully healed, and I can do anything I want to without restrictions. They can remove the pin, but it makes no difference if they leave it in. I always thought that the condition wou…

When I was 8, I had something called a Testicular Torsion,its where the testicle twists and cuts off circulation. By the time I got to the hospital it had untwisted and I was fine so the doctor sent me home. 7 years past with no problems until a few months ago it happened again when i was upnorth camping, It thought it would go away like the previouse time but it didnt, with no hospitals around I had to wait about 5 days till i got home. I finally got home and we rushed to the hospital for about a two week period i was in the hospital every two days, the doctors had no clue what was wrong. The hospital doctors finally sent me to the Urologist after 3 weeks of pain. I…

This week I finally got something back about the FC1/MFS I did at Brooks in April. It looks like I have to do some follow up work and was hoping F16PilotMD could shed some light on the problem I may have. From the Report of Medical Examination: "Request current consultation from: Orthopedics for finding noted on chest X-ray. There is evidence for a mildly increased thoracic kyphosis with moderate loss of height of the T8 vertebra and mild loss of height of T7. The findings are compatible with prior trauma." The report says to include examinee's personal and family history related to the condition, past and current signs and symptoms, treatment rendered, and da…

What happens to a military pilot who becomes pregnant? Is she immediately off flight status? How long is she at home after the baby is born?

Can one take antibiotics for acne during UPT? How do I get them approved?

What's the word on ulcers? I heard once that it was DQ. Any guidance?

Just wondering what the normal pulse rate range is and if they check at the flight physical. My blood pressure is fine, but the trainer at the gym told me my resting pulse is 90 and that it is high for someone who works out. I maintain a healthy lifestyle overall, so it doesn't make sense to me - have worked out regularly for years and haven't eaten red meat in 10+ yrs. Anyone know the range they are looking for?? Thank you. (90 is when I am relaxed - I imagine at the physical I will be nervous, so I am concerned it will be even higher) -Lauren

Will having them disqualifiy me from flight training? I have no symptoms at all (no pain or discomfort), but they are noticable on a small portion of my left thigh. Also, if I get them removed via Endovenous Laser Therapy (for the mere fact of passing the physical since they don't bother me at all), will having had this procedure disqualify me? Thanks [ 30 March 2003, 12:02: Message edited by: akondog ]