I am asking a question for personal reasons that I cannot disclose right now

[Horse with no Name]

BUT...are there any really good sources regarding illnesses/diseases that have been sustained by the military in Iraq/Afghanistan? I would be most curious about neurological manifestations.

Thanks in advance.

[littlewolf]

1. DAV (Disabled American Vets)

might be a good starting point ....

[Horse with no Name]

8. Thanks. Looking at this now. n/t

[notesdev]

2. Yeah look up ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease

Has a far higher incidence in Iraq vets in particular than normal.

check out http://alsa.org

[Horse with no Name]

3. Thank you.

I will make this my starting point.

You wouldn't happen to have a point of reference for the stats?
I believe you but this isn't just for me.

[notesdev]

4. Try these

http://www.alsa.org/assets/pdfs/advocacy/als_military_paper.pdf

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/associated_illnesses.asp


My grandmother died of ALS so I may possibly carry a hereditary gene for it (10% of ALS cases are hereditary IIRC). If you know of someone who has it, please send my condolences.

Stephen Hawking is afflicted with ALS and as far as I know has survived with it longer than anyone else on record, so he's a good person to look up too.


edit to add: The higher incidence of ALS is specifically linked to the 1991 Iraq war, not the 2003 war. I do not know if there is a linkage to the latest war.

[Horse with no Name]

5. I took care of a kid that had ALS

and his Doctor and I were discussing his case.

The doctor said (paraphrased)...that if he had ALS...his thumb would have 2 twinges. The first from the disease and the second from pulling the trigger. :(

I will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Recursion]

6. Check the Legion

I get the American Legion's mailer and they had something about neurological problems in GSAVE vets I think two months ago. I'll post here/PM if I can dig it up.

[elehhhhna]

7. don't forget the concussive head injuries.