Download Gulf War Issues - American Gulf War Veterans Association

Gulf War Issues
Starring Your Host
Ian Welch
Topics of discussion
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Leishmaniasis
Brain Cancer
ALS
Undiagnosed Illnesses
Leishmaniasis
(Sand Fleas)
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What is Leishmaniasis?
What are the signs and
symptoms?
Other information
Leishmaniasis
What is Leishmaniasis?
• Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease
spread by the bite of infected sand flies.
• 3 types
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Visceral
Mucocutaneous
Cutaneous
Visceral Leishmaniasis
What are the signs and symptoms?
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Enlarged Spleen and Liver
Fever
Weight loss
Swollen glands
Possible low blood counts, including a low red
blood cell count, low white blood cell count, and
low platelet count.
Visceral Leishmaniasis
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Of the 21 Cases in Afghanistan that
were reported, all were in the 1980’s
According to the CDC, Only 2
American Service Members cases
have been reported since
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis?
What are the signs and symptoms?
• Have one or more sores on the skin.
• The sores can change in size and
appearance over time.
• Often look somewhat like a volcano, with
a raised edge and central crater.
• The sores can last for months or years.
• Can take weeks or months to develop.
• Can be diagnosed using a blood smear.
Leishmaniasis
Other information
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Treatment – Usually heals on its own
Can leave scar after healing
1.5 Million new cases each year
Is common in Iraq and Afghanistan
Leishmaniasis
Questions?
Brain Cancer
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Is Brain cancer caused by Sarin gas
exposure?
Study posted in the American Journal for
Public Health.
Statistical link only.
The study was criticized and continues to
be studied.
Any Gulf War veteran with brain cancer
should still file a claim.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
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Aka - Lou Gehrig’s disease
Gulf War veteran’s who served from
1990 to 1991.
VA and DoD Research shows these
veterans have a nearly two-fold risk
than those veterans who did not
serve in the Gulf.
Any Gulf War veteran with ALS
should file a claim immediately.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
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Signs and Symptoms
Weakness – begins more so in the hands
than the feet. May progress on one side of
the body more than the other.
Muscle cramping, twitching, spasms.
Tremors
Weakness of the throat muscles causing
speech difficulties, swallowing, even
breathing.
Many times it takes 10 or more years to
develop.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
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There is no cure but there is
treatment.
The VA is using sodium
phenylbutyrate and other
medications to slow the progress of
the disease.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Questions?
Undiagnosed illnesses
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What is an undiagnosed illness?
What are the conditions most
commonly associated?
Undiagnosed illnesses
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What is an undiagnosed illness?
Veteran must have served in the Persian
Gulf War.
Redefined – medically unexplained chronic
multisymptom illness (MUCMI®).
Disability that manifested itself to a
degree of 10% or more not later than
December 31, 2011. (extended)
Disability must be chronic for no less than
6 months. (proven with medical or lay
statements)
Undiagnosed illness
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What are the disabilities most
commonly associated?
MUCMI®
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Irritable bowel syndrome
What are the disabilities most commonly
associated? (cont)
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Fatigue
Headache
Muscle pain
Joint pain
Sleep disturbances
Abnormal weight
loss
Menstral disorders
Signs or Symptoms
of the following:
 Skin
 Neurological
 Neuropsychological
 Respiratory system
 Gastrointestinal
 Cardiovascular
What does all this mean?
Any veteran who served in the
Persian Gulf War that is suffering
from a disability (especially one that
is listed) should file a claim
immediately.
Questions??