Panel Confirms Gulf War Syndrome Is Real and Causes Are Definable

[Biscuit]

The Gulf War illness was caused by pyridostigmine bromide pills taken by U.S. troops to neutralize the effects of nerve gas attacks and by exposure to neurotoxic insecticides, according to a VA advisory panel.

These two factors amounted to a definable scientifically valid illness with significant nervous system symptoms often still affecting veterans of the 1991 conflict in Kuwait and Iraq, said the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses.

Exposures to neurotoxic compounds including insecticides -- which thousands of soldiers took as protection against nerve gas -- are the most likely causative candidates, added the report.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHe...Medicine/11814

[Mountain Man]

But the studies conducted by the Army at Fitzsimons found no traces of such chemicals in any of the patients, nor any evidence of hematologic or neurologic damage, and many of those complaining of symptoms did not take the pills.

Personally, I believe the Syndrome is real, but the exact causes remain unidentified.

[Biscuit]

Thanks for that MM!

[Mountain Man]

No thanks needed...I saw a lot of baffled and sincere troops who seemed to have genuine problems. The full bull in charge of the research program was totally baffled, and he did a million dollar workup on each and every one.