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WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Unexplained blood clots are among the reasons a number of U.S. soldiers in Operation Iraqi Freedom have died from sudden illnesses, an investigation by United Press International has found.
In addition to NBC News Correspondent David Bloom, who died in April of a blood clot in his lung after collapsing south of Baghdad, the Pentagon has told families that blood clots caused two soldiers to collapse and die. At least eight other soldiers have also collapsed and died from what the military has described as non-combat-related causes.
A disturbing parallel has also surfaced: soldiers becoming ill or dying from similar ailments in the United States. In some cases, the soldiers, their families and civilian doctors blame vaccines given to them by the military, particularly the anthrax or smallpox shots.
[?] [?] [?] I'm a little young to remember Vietnam, but what exactly (if anything) did they say about Agent Orange then and how is it different from what we know now? And when exactly was "Gulf War Syndrome" shown to be real?Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
I tend to agree with Russ; with the understanding the US gov lied about Agent Orange and Gulf I syndrome. Surely they wouldn't lie again.
Originally posted by russ_watters
[?] [?] [?] I'm a little young to remember Vietnam, but what exactly (if anything) did they say about Agent Orange then and how is it different from what we know now? And when exactly was "Gulf War Syndrome" shown to be real?
Agent Orange spraying missions were flown in Vietnam between January 1965 and April 1970.
VA's Advisory Committee on Health-Related Effects of Herbicides was established in 1979 to examine issues surrounding the possible health effects of herbicides on Vietnam veterans.
VA has offered special access to health services and studies since 1978, when it initiated a medical surveillance program for Vietnam veterans with health concerns.
By 1981, VA offered priority medical care to Vietnam veterans with any health problems which may have resulted from Agent Orange exposure. That program continues today.
As knowledge has grown from studies of Agent Orange, some diseases that may not have become evident in service have been recognized as service-connected. Based on clinical research, the following diseases are now on VA's Agent Orange list: chloracne, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, porphyria cutanea tarda, respiratory cancers (lung, bronchus, larynx and trachea), soft-tissue sarcoma, acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy, prostate and adult-onset diabetes.
In addition, monetary benefits, health care and vocational rehabilitation services are provided to Vietnam veterans' offspring with spina bifida, a congenital birth defect of the spine. VA presumes that all military personnel who served in Vietnam and who have one of the listed diseases were exposed to Agent Orange.
On Jan. 23, 2003, IOM issued a report citing "sufficient evidence of an association between exposure to herbicides" during the Vietnam War and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). That same day, Secretary Principi announced that he was directing VA officials to draft regulations adding CLL to the list of presumptive conditions associated with herbicide exposure
I am grateful to the Committee for allowing me the opportunity to review the GAO report on ÒGulf War Illnesses: Management Actions Needed to Answer Basic Research QuestionsÓ and for inviting me to present my views and recommendations on research directions for Persian Gulf War Related Illnesses or GWS, Gulf War Syndrome. My name is Dr. Howard B. Urnovitz. I received my doctorate degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Michigan in 1979. My entire CV is submitted with my written testimony. I currently hold the position of Scientific Director of the Chronic Illness Research Foundation as well as my current position as Chief Science Officer and Director of a publicly traded biomedical company.
Originally posted by Bystander
"Presumptive" association of a variety of medical conditions with agent orange; there's no report of any survey of the other carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic compounds in the chemical cocktail that was SE Asia, and to which troops were routinely exposed in the line of duty. "Whyzat?"
Tonnage-wise, the most likely candidates for veteran health problems resulting from service in SE Asia are the dyes used in smoke grenades and other pyrotechnic devices.
Originally posted by russ_watters
Maybe I'm missing the point, but it should be self-evident that you shouldn't drink or inhale "Roundup." I've heard all sorts of crazy things argued about Agent Orange (like that its a chemical weapon) and they generally ignore that simple fact.
And as far as the Gulf War Syndrome thing goes, war is unhealthy. That should also be self-evident.
Common symptoms of these blood clots include unexplained bruising, shortness of breath, chest pain, and swelling or pain in the arms or legs. Some patients may also experience dizziness, weakness, or headaches.
At this time, there is no known link to a specific medical condition or medication. However, further research is being conducted to determine potential causes of these blood clots.
According to reports, more than 30 U.S. troops have been affected by these mystery blood clots. This number may increase as more cases are reported and investigated.
Treatment for these blood clots may vary depending on the severity and location of the clot. In general, patients may be given blood thinners or undergo a minimally invasive procedure to remove the clot.
The U.S. Department of Defense is actively investigating these cases and working to identify any potential risk factors or causes. Additionally, military personnel are being advised to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience any concerning symptoms.