Gulf War IssuesGulf War Issues

Starring Your HostStarring Your Host

Ian WelchIan Welch

Topics of discussionTopics of discussion

LeishmaniasisLeishmaniasis Brain CancerBrain Cancer ALS ALS Undiagnosed IllnessesUndiagnosed Illnesses

LeishmaniasisLeishmaniasis(Sand Fleas)(Sand Fleas)

What is Leishmaniasis?What is Leishmaniasis? What are the signs and What are the signs and

symptoms?symptoms? Other informationOther information

LeishmaniasisLeishmaniasis

What is Leishmaniasis?What is Leishmaniasis?

• Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies.spread by the bite of infected sand flies.

• 3 types3 types VisceralVisceral MucocutaneousMucocutaneous CutaneousCutaneous

Visceral LeishmaniasisVisceral Leishmaniasis

What are the signs and symptoms?What are the signs and symptoms?

Enlarged Spleen and LiverEnlarged Spleen and Liver Fever Fever Weight loss Weight loss Swollen glands Swollen glands Possible low blood counts, including a low red Possible low blood counts, including a low red

blood cell count, low white blood cell count, and blood cell count, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.low platelet count.

Visceral LeishmaniasisVisceral Leishmaniasis

Of the 21 Cases in Afghanistan that Of the 21 Cases in Afghanistan that were reported, all were in the 1980’swere reported, all were in the 1980’s

According to the CDC, Only 2 According to the CDC, Only 2 American Service Members cases American Service Members cases have been reported sincehave been reported since

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis?Cutaneous Leishmaniasis?

What are the signs and symptoms?What are the signs and symptoms?

• Have one or more sores on the skin.Have one or more sores on the skin.• The sores can change in size and The sores can change in size and

appearance over time. appearance over time. • Often look somewhat like a volcano, with a Often look somewhat like a volcano, with a

raised edge and central crater. raised edge and central crater. • The sores can last for months or years.The sores can last for months or years.• Can take weeks or months to develop.Can take weeks or months to develop.• Can be diagnosed using a blood smear.Can be diagnosed using a blood smear.

LeishmaniasisLeishmaniasis

Other informationOther information Treatment – Usually heals on its ownTreatment – Usually heals on its own Can leave scar after healingCan leave scar after healing 1.5 Million new cases each year1.5 Million new cases each year Is common in Iraq and AfghanistanIs common in Iraq and Afghanistan

LeishmaniasisLeishmaniasis

Questions?Questions?

Brain CancerBrain Cancer

Is Brain cancer caused by Sarin gas Is Brain cancer caused by Sarin gas exposure?exposure?

Study posted in the American Journal for Study posted in the American Journal for Public Health.Public Health.

Statistical link only.Statistical link only. The study was criticized and continues to The study was criticized and continues to

be studied.be studied. Any Gulf War veteran with brain cancer Any Gulf War veteran with brain cancer

should still file a claim.should still file a claim.

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Aka - Lou Gehrig’s diseaseAka - Lou Gehrig’s disease Gulf War veteran’s who served from Gulf War veteran’s who served from

1990 to 1991.1990 to 1991. VA and DoD Research shows these VA and DoD Research shows these

veterans have a nearly two-fold risk veterans have a nearly two-fold risk than those veterans who did not than those veterans who did not serve in the Gulf. serve in the Gulf.

Any Gulf War veteran with ALS Any Gulf War veteran with ALS should file a claim immediately.should file a claim immediately.

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptoms Weakness – begins more so in the hands Weakness – begins more so in the hands

than the feet. May progress on one side of than the feet. May progress on one side of the body more than the other.the body more than the other.

Muscle cramping, twitching, spasms.Muscle cramping, twitching, spasms. TremorsTremors Weakness of the throat muscles causing Weakness of the throat muscles causing

speech difficulties, swallowing, even speech difficulties, swallowing, even breathing.breathing.

Many times it takes 10 or more years to Many times it takes 10 or more years to develop.develop.

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

There is no cure but there is There is no cure but there is treatment.treatment.

The VA is using sodium The VA is using sodium phenylbutyrate and other phenylbutyrate and other medications to slow the progress of medications to slow the progress of the disease.the disease.

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Questions?Questions?

Undiagnosed illnessesUndiagnosed illnesses

What is an undiagnosed illness?What is an undiagnosed illness? What are the conditions most What are the conditions most

commonly associated?commonly associated?

Undiagnosed illnessesUndiagnosed illnesses

What is an undiagnosed illness?What is an undiagnosed illness? Veteran must have served in the Persian Veteran must have served in the Persian

Gulf War.Gulf War. Redefined – medically unexplained chronic Redefined – medically unexplained chronic

multisymptom illness (MUCMImultisymptom illness (MUCMI®®).). Disability that manifested itself to a Disability that manifested itself to a

degree of 10% or more not later than degree of 10% or more not later than December 31, 2011. (extended)December 31, 2011. (extended)

Disability must be chronic for no less than Disability must be chronic for no less than 6 months. (proven with medical or lay 6 months. (proven with medical or lay statements)statements)

Undiagnosed illnessUndiagnosed illness

What are the disabilities most What are the disabilities most commonly associated?commonly associated?

MUCMIMUCMI®®• Chronic fatigue syndromeChronic fatigue syndrome• FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia• Irritable bowel syndromeIrritable bowel syndrome

What are the disabilities most commonly What are the disabilities most commonly associated? (cont)associated? (cont)

FatigueFatigue HeadacheHeadache Muscle painMuscle pain Joint painJoint pain Sleep disturbancesSleep disturbances Abnormal weight Abnormal weight

lossloss Menstral disorders Menstral disorders

Signs or Symptoms Signs or Symptoms of the following:of the following:

SkinSkin Neurological Neurological NeuropsychologicalNeuropsychological Respiratory systemRespiratory system GastrointestinalGastrointestinal CardiovascularCardiovascular

What does all this mean?What does all this mean?

Any veteran who served in the Any veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War that is suffering Persian Gulf War that is suffering from a disability (especially one that from a disability (especially one that is listed) should file a claim is listed) should file a claim immediately.immediately.

Questions??Questions??