Panel finds sickly Legacy to Gulf War

[unhappycamper]

Panel finds sickly Legacy to Gulf War
November 17, 2008
Cox News Service

WASHINGTON - At least one in four U.S. veterans of the 1991 Gulf War suffers from a multi-symptom illness caused by exposure to toxic chemicals during the conflict, a congressionally mandated report being released today found.

For much of the past 17 years, government officials have maintained that these veterans -- more than 175,000 out of about 697,000 deployed -- are merely suffering the effects of wartime stress, even as more have come forward recently with severe ailments.

"The extensive body of scientific research now available consistently indicates that 'Gulf War illness' is real, that it is the result of neurotoxic exposures during Gulf War deployment, and that few veterans have recovered or substantially improved with time," said the report, being released Monday by a panel of scientists and veterans. A copy was obtained by Cox Newspapers.

Gulf War illness is typically characterized by a combination of memory and concentration problems, persistent headaches, unexplained fatigue and widespread pain. It may also include chronic digestive problems, respiratory symptoms and skin rashes.

Two things the military provided to troops in large quantities to protect them -- pesticides and pyridostigmine bromide (PB), aimed at thwarting the effects of nerve gas -- are the most likely culprits, the panel found.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/panel-finds-sickly-legacy-to-gulf-war.html?col=1186032310810

[jagmedic]

1. Gulf War Illness Real

I, we gulf war veterans need your help.
There are still many problems we have with the VA system.
Veterans will be allowed to speak by phone, if requested prior to meeting date.
Gulf War Illness exposures are so complicated it takes a team of medical and
social service providers to care for the wounded and their families, says,
a clinical psychologist with the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Heath Care System.
The 14-member, independent panel will advise the Secretary and the
department on the full range of health care and benefits needs
of those who served in the conflict.

Department of Veterans Affairs (008A1)
ATTN: Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans
810 Vermont Ave, Washington, DC 20420

202-461-5758
[e-mail] ,Lelia P. Jackson, Board memeber
The address is www.va.gov/gulfwaradvisorycommittee

www.invisibledisabilities.com/
www.gulflink.org