11 March, 2008

Gulf War Syndrome Is Declared Real...Nearly 20 Years AFTER The War

It took more than 15 years, but it appears all those members of the coalition forces from the 1991 Gulf War weren't making up the health problems that came to be known as Gulf War Syndrome according to a study released today. Not surprisingly, it looks like the chemicals that sickened them were doled out by the the military, in the form of bromide pills intended to protect against nerve agents and a variety of pesticides used around military bases. Even more disturbing, according to this article, is that those same pesticides that caused chronic problems such as memory problems, difficulty sleeping, muscle or joint pain, fatigue, rashes and breathing problems are still being used in homes and businesses around the world today.

"Furthermore, the same chemicals affecting Gulf War veterans may be involved in similar cases of unexplained, multi-symptom health problems in the general population," said study author Beatrice Golomb of the University of California San Diego's school of medicine.

Hopefully, people will now take sufferers seriously and work towards some effective treatments, preferably NOT at a Veteran's Administration facility. Of course with record high suicide rates among those returning from the current war, not to mention the large number of veterans having to live on the streets, these veterans may get shunted to the back of the line.

Salaam.

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