Gulf War Syndrome – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Life Expectancy
What is Gulf War Syndrome?
Gulf War Syndrome is also called as the Persian Gulf War Illness (GWI), Dessert Storm Diseases, Gulf War Veterans Illnesses or Persian Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). It is actually a collection of symptoms which are reported by veterans who fought the Gulf war ever since the August of 1990.
It consists of medically explained symptoms that have not really been made clear if whether the symptoms were associated with the services during the Gulf War. As reported, they have manifested the syndrome after the veterans returned from their duty. The symptoms they manifest are culled out or are a result of the experiences they encountered upon battle. The syndrome is often a controversial topic to consider because some of them would not agree that such a syndrome truly exist. It is a rare kind of syndrome that doesn’t happen to anybody or everyone, for that matter.
Gulf War Syndrome Showing Effects to Soldiers as Well as Their Offspring
Gulf War Syndrome Symptoms and Signs
The symptoms that are associated with the Gulf war syndrome are myriad and most often they don’t appear at the same time. Persons, especially military persons or veterans, who are diagnosed to have such syndrome, will manifest the following symptoms:
- Loss of muscle control
- Headaches
- Loss of balance
- Mood wings
- Memory problems
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Shortness of breath
- Skin problems
- Indigestion
- Chronic fatigue
- Neuropsychological symptoms
- Sleep disturbances
- Menstrual disorders
- Abnormal weight loss
- Cardiovascular symptoms
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Neurologic symptoms
- Alcohol abuse
- Sexual discomfort
- Asthma
- Depression
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cancers
- Nausea
- Traumatic brain injury
- Swollen glands
- Fever
- Arthritis
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Chronic multi symptom illness
- Diarrhea
- Mood difficulties
- Seizures
- Speech difficulties
- Easily irritated
- Impaired decision making or problem solving
- Easily confused
- Ringing of the ears
- Concentration difficulties
- Attention difficulties
- Visual problems
- Terminal tumors
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Fibromyalgia
- Bronchitis
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Anxiety disorder
Gulf War Syndrome Causes
Because of the different symptoms that are associated with the Gulf War Syndrome, researchers believed that it may be due to a collection of numerous kinds of illnesses with different etiology rather than just merely a single cause. Researchers believe that the possible causes of why a person has Gulf War Syndrome may be due to:
Nerve gas medication and insect repellants
Researchers found out that one of the cause to why veterans during the Gulf War experiences the Gulf war syndrome is because most of them were exposed to carbamate acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and organophosphate.
Infectious disease
There have been reports also of veterans who were inflicted with infectious disease during the Gulf war period. Such of these infectious diseases were sandfly fever, travelers’ diarrhea, cutaneous leishmaniasis, malaria, west Nile virus, mycobacterium tuberculosis, campylobacter jejuni, coxiella burnetii or Q fever, non typhoid salmonella and mycoplasma infection.
Chemical weapons
Most often the weapons used during the Gulf war period were made of chemicals. Such chemicals causes debilitating symptoms to the veterans which resulted to some of the symptoms mentioned above.
Biological weapons
Another possible cause of Gulf war syndrome is because of biological weapons. It was also another weapon used during the Gulf War era which yielded to fatalities of veterans. Those who were affected suffered the symptoms that were mentioned earlier.
Anthrax vaccine
The use of anthrax vaccine yielded to serious negative effects which resulted to the GWI or Gulf War illness or syndrome symptoms.
Combat stress
Research suggested that persons or veterans of the Gulf war resulted to the Gulf war syndrome such as psychiatric illness. The combat stress may also lead to such symptom mentioned.
Oil well fires
During the war, they sometimes use oil well set on fire as their weapons. The smoke from the oil well fires, if inhaled by veteran or soldiers lead to acute pulmonary problems and chronic effects like bronchitis and asthma.
Depleted uranium
Autocannon and tank kinetic energy penetrator found in the war uses depleted uranium which resulted to burns and the production of combustion products which are toxic. It also leads to nephrotoxicity, and teratogenic effects.
Gulf War Syndrome Diagnosis
Basically the diagnosis of persons or veterans or soldiers, for that matter, is not really that specified. It will depend on the symptoms one was manifested. The usually action of physicians to persons having Gulf war syndrome is to conduct a:
- Thorough physical assessment
- Medical history
- Laboratory test
- Diagnostic test such as x-rays and the like
- Psychological test are done only if the person manifest psychological problems
Gulf War Syndrome Treatment
Persons or veterans or soldiers that have the Gulf war syndrome actually have no specific treatment as of the moment. The treatment will base on symptomatic approach. There might be prescribed medications which are temporary medication that can either remove or reduce the symptoms associated with the Gulf war syndrome. Some researchers claimed that cognitive-behavioral therapy will aid the patients having nonspecific type of symptoms which lead to more productive lives through the management of the symptoms.
Gulf War Syndrome Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of a veteran person or a soldier having the Gulf war syndrome will depend if the person himself or herself will be able to combat the symptoms or how he or she will respond to the treatment given or provided or recommended by his or her physician.
Gulf War Syndrome Complications
The complication of the Gulf War syndrome only happens when the person’s body have not well responded to the medication or treatment method suggested and provided by his or her physician. The worse complication one might have may be debilitating ones or even suffer their own death.
Gulf War Syndrome Prevention
As of the moment, there are no other ways to prevent illnesses or symptoms associated in the Gulf war syndrome. It comes with the risk of choosing to join the army and the war itself.
Google: Kenneth Tennant (Domestic Terrorism: USA vs Veterans and the First Amendment) The VA rates me at 100% “Service-Connected” disabled. The D.o.D. injected US troops, training as combat medics, 1987 at Ft Sam Houston, TX, with experimental harmful VACCINES, without the required Disclosure or Informed Consent. I have chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, bouts of IBS, HA, Photophobia, skin conditions, gout, dysphagia (trouble swallowing – becoming more frequent), memory problems, where was I going with this ? Still fighting VA for Earlier Effective date…see Gary Null’s documentary: GWS and You Tube: Dr. Carley. read Reigle Senate Report, KANSAS STUDY by Dr. Lea Steele. 3 of 4 of US vets with GWS did NOT deploy! 3935 Rolling Hills Dr., Bettendorf, Iowa (563) 355-7073 jaw bone has malformations/growths ? Dental X-rays may have caused or contributed ? Feres Doctrine is a fraud to cheat vets. It was a judicially created fraud that only Federal frauds use to cheat us disabled out of their promise to take care of us. Shame on this gov’t.
You are so correct. I was injected with these same experimental vaccines during advanced infantry training at Ft. Benning , Georgia approximately Nov. of 1990 , just prior to the first gulf war. It was done without my knowledge ( they would not tell us what it was) only that it was a cocktail and without my consent ( we were threatened with article 15 court marshall if we refused). Nothing and I mean nothing was put in my medical records about this shot even though all my other vaccinations were recorded. I later found out many years later that all of my medical records had ” dissappeared”. Here’s the thing, I was in a drill sargeant army reserve traing unit so I never went to the gulf, only got the ” vaccine” while doing active duty infantry training. I have had ALL of these gulf war symptoms at one time or another. They come and go , seems to move around the body effecting different things at different times. I was not aware of gulf war syndrome when I first started having problems and didn’t learn of it till many years later. I went to private doctors and hospitals only to be told we can’t find anything on the test like many other vets. I have been diagnosed with several auto immune diseases and after seeing infectious disease specialist at UVA who when they found out I had been in the military after seeing my blood test results were scared shitless and said they couldn’t help me, I was told by my general practioner that sent me to UVA that I would have to take some really strong antibiotics and stay on them for at least a year, ended up being 2-3, they obviously told him something but NO ONE would tell me what it was. I have dealt with this for about 25 years now and eventually turned to natural and nutritional medicine to treat myself as my body just could not handle the antibiotics anymore and everything mainstream medicine offers you is basically poison. I believe it is all caused 100% by the vaccines , other exposures only add to the effect to make it worse. In my opinion we were injected with mycoplasma fermentans ” incognito strain” as well as squalene and god knows what else in the cocktail. If you are suffering from GWS please seek antibiotic therapy or look into effective natural antibiotics, there are many as well as something like edta to dissolve the biofilms these organisms produce to protect them from antibiotics. Also look into detoxing and removing heavy metals such as ” aluminum” also an adjuvent used in vaccines known to induce auto immune disease, edta will help with this as well. I believe Dr. Garth Nicholson is correct in that this was done to us intentionally by our govt. as a huge experiment that they used to get numbers on deaths and incapacitating abilities of their pet project, the biological weapon M. Fermentans ” incognito strain”, not a natural organism but one made in a lab and weaponized that the DOD holds a patent on. I am convinced that this will never be anything but a cover up and sincerely hope this might help other vets get some help. The worst thing anyone can do to someone suffering from this is tell them its not real and all in your head. Infections and auto immune diseases are NOT psychological.
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Had polio and yellow fever vaccines together , I have suffered 18 years of degenerative illness since affecting largely the CNS. I have been to many neurologists etc but nothing to be found , breathing now very poor, Anybody else had anything similar?
Thanks
This a very serious diasese , it’s has an impact on the veterans lives daily,please do not allow any one you know join the military , they own you for life.
For 25 yrs, I’ve had GWS. I began the first clinic to study this and have been through 4 clinical research trials. All to not be able to receive any reports I can give to the regional VA offices to get my benefits. This is real and no one seems to care whether you are here or not. I think they are pushing the times on benefits just so they can wait until we are deceased. I have gone to DC to the Hill, to no avail. Just think of the kids coming back now. I pray for us all.
I feel like im dying basically.
My GWI justice gets worse and I have recourse other than marijuana which isn’t legal in KY yet so I’m breaking the law and feeling like a degenerate not to mention being disabled make it hard to afford the stuff on the street , I’m a retired Military Police Officer and it’s tough why can’t it be legal all around for veterans with GWI or PDST?? Not for young punks to have fun
I have found one must take their health into their own hands. I have been sick for many years with many things unable to be diagnosed. Bankruptcies, divorce and all of that comes with illness. I have seen a pattern with vets that begin many times with insomnia, irritability and eventually losing one’s temper. If your sick or in pain and/or unable to support yourself and your family, your going to be depressed. Unfortunately, the road to healing isn’t easy and requires significant effort. The first thing one needs to do is stop getting that vaccine poison. Detox the body of pathogens, metals and significantly more things. Stop eating the toxic processed foods. Yes, it’s tough but no one else gonna help us. They said I would never work again but I am working part time. It’s tough but things are getting better. Yes, healthy food isn’t the best tasting compared to chemical shit storms. One has to detox metals, pathogens and other. I would be glad to advise any brothers out there. Stop eating any gluten. Fasting to purge the body and other required. I have spent every dime I have had on alternative health even leaving the country for treatments, but learned so much. They damaged our nuclear dna/mitochondria. This controls all. So many navy vets also sick who never stepped foot on land in the gulf. Ask yourself what do they have in common? Modern medicine is a joke unless for emergencies. They treat symptoms. Look into the whites of your eyes. Are they bright white? If grey or yellow, your liver is full of toxins.
I get that the guilty parties want to cover up their involvement. I don’t get why we can’t get help for pain. No politician will even respond to any of my messages once they see the words Gulf War illness. Cowards die a thousand deaths. In a better world, you could win an election with the promise of helping vets. Medical marijuana sort of works, but it makes certain other pain worse. Strange they don’t do labs & try to keep you from getting detailed imaging of your head. My prostate seems to be manufacturing acid now. The sores show up even on your palms & bottom of your feet. I get good results taking lion’s mane, it helps clear up my thinking. We are much better off than some of the vets from other countries, they don’t have access to some of the treatments available to us. I had very light exposure to “burning air,” only a few moments while we were in the gulf. I get healthy food prepared for me. It is much cheaper than buying all of the ingredients & cooking it myself. They take notes, but don’t tell me anything or tell me what might be down the road. This crazy doctor threatened my life while I was hospitalized & very weak. It recently occurred to me that they wanted to see how susceptible I was to getting PTSD since service members with Gulf War illness have a higher chance of getting PTSD. I had to fight so hard & they are just now starting to treat my PTSD.
The politicians don’t give shit about any of us, The Government. I love my country but I damn sure wouldn’t do it again if I could do it all over. I only say that because of being looked down upon by people because I’m so young (not so much anymore) and not working. Family keeps saying “You have to be the squeaky wheel. You won’t get the oil unless you squeak.” I’m to tired to squeak anymore. I’m failing more and more and don’t have the fight left in me, very tired. I have a lot of the symptoms if not all. I’ve tried so many different things, diet, herbs, supplements, etc. Every time I feel like I might have a hold on it, it slaps me down like twenty armed pimp. I just want to say to my brother and sisters, that if you have someone by your side, thank them everyday. And to those spouses that have stayed by their failing service men and women, I solute you. You have done more than anyone has and I love you all for that.
I’m done. I can’t keep living like this anymore.