8 Health Problems Facing Veterans

Shutterstock.com

Military members endure a lifestyle unlike any other, and, in kind, can be affected by a unique set of health and wellness issues.

Our military veterans have seen it all, and have been exposed to it all—harsh chemicals, unproven vaccinations, nonstop stress, explosive blasts, and so much more. These hardships take their toll on the body and mind over time—even for the toughest of warriors.

Awareness is the key to recognizing these problems in the veterans that may be your friends or loved ones—often, even they don’t recognize the toll that their profession has taken upon them, and no one bothers to make them the wiser.

Our veterans deserve to be taken care of for the service they’ve rendered us all, and so to better support the veteran in your life, take a look at these 8 health problems that they may be facing, and learn to read their often-subtle signs of suffering.

Autoimmune Disorders

Shutterstock.com

Autoimmune disorders—diseases which occur when the immune system attacks healthy tissue instead of focusing on foreign microorganisms—are disproportionately common amongst veteran populations.

Why? Because of stress.

Post Traumatic stress disorder is a serious mental health issue that can occur in anyone who has been traumatized, either physically or emotionally. The resulting damage causes a multitude of symptoms, including autoimmune disorders.

When under stress, the body is in a constant state of inflammation—it’s fighting for survival. But our bodies aren’t meant to remain in this state for long periods of time. Post-traumatic stress disorder can actually trigger biological changes in the body that can lead to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease, among many other disorders.

If you’re a veteran experiencing autoimmune disorder symptoms, consider the connection to your service, and to your mental health. The effects can be reversed, so see your doctor as soon as possible.

Hearing Loss

Shutterstock.com

Veterans are incredibly likely to suffer from some form of hearing loss. Whether they’re standing next to a running jet engine, firing guns, or being exposed to explosive blasts from enemy weaponry, military service is a high-risk occupation for those who value their ears.

This isn’t limited to a dampened aural sense. Other symptoms of exposure to extreme noise and vibration are a persistent, maddening ringing in the ears, or even a loud buzzing.

Sound and vibration aren’t the only source of hearing loss. Chemical exposure—namely, exposure to jet fuel—can cause hearing loss by interfering with the parts of the brain which interpret sound. Jet fuel is absorbed readily through the skin, and studies are beginning to find links between exposure and long-term neurological problems.

Hearing loss is the most common type of injury for veterans, so if you were ever involved in military service and find that your hearing isn’t quite what it should be, get checked out. Your doctor, Veteran’s Affairs or not, is willing and able to help you.

Lung Problems

Shutterstock.com

Anyone stationed at Balad AFB in Iraq can attest to the fact that the air was often filled with noxious smoke from the base’s waste disposal burn pits. The items burned in these pits included chemicals, paint, medical waste, metals, munitions, and plastics—not something you want to breathe on a daily basis.

The toxins in the smoke have led to a variety of skin, lung, eye, and cardiovascular problems in those exposed.

This is only one example of the many factors which could cause impeded lung function in veterans—there are a variety of other factors such as exposure to exhaust, foreign pollutants, dust particles, and chemical warfare agents.

But the end result—debilitating lung issues—is the same. Common symptoms are chest pain, persistent cough, excessive mucus in the throat, and difficulty breathing. Don’t hesitate to see your doctor if this sounds like you.

Chemical Injuries

Shutterstock.com

Exposure to toxic chemicals is a constant danger for military members. This can come from exotic sources such as jet aircraft hydraulic oil and fuel, chemical agents of war, or from domestic sources such as strong cleaning agents and, as we’ve seen, smoke from burn pits.

A well-known example of this is the exposure of Gulf War veterans to agent orange, the defoliation chemical used extensively to clear large areas of jungle. This chemical caused heart problems, in addition to a host of other issues. At the time, no one realized the destructive power of agent orange, but years later, its effects began to spread throughout the veteran population.

Don’t let your symptoms go untreated. Chemical exposure can cause an immense variety of issues—too many to list. But if you, or any veterans you know, worked around chemical hazards, keep an eye out for unexplained symptoms that don’t seem to go away with time, particularly those of a neurological variety.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Shutterstock.com

Traumatic brain, also known as TBI, is a serious health issue that affects recipients head trauma. This can come from the head being struck by an object, an explosive blast, or the head striking an object, such as in a vehicle accident.

Most frequently, we hear of TBI in connection to roadside explosive blasts while in warzones. Even from a considerable distance, the pressure wave from an explosive blast can cause grave damage to the delicate tissues of the brain, causing it to bounce back and forth within the skull. At barely three pounds, the brain simply can’t take this kind of punishment, and swells or bruises.

The severity of these types of injuries can range from mild disorientation to an extended loss of consciousness, but no head injury should ever be ignored. If you received a head injury of some kind during your service, and are experiencing changes in thinking skills, dizziness, fatigue, and memory problems, see your doctor.

Mental Health Issues

Shutterstock.com

PTSD, as we’ve learned earlier, affects a huge number of veterans.

Military service is traumatic by nature—it is the occupation of conflict, of war. Servicemen and women are exposed to gruesome scenes, extended periods of intense fear, and the threat of death. It is no wonder, then, that PTSD arises much more readily in veteran populations.

This can result in violent behavior, withdrawal from society, substance abuse, and any number of negative coping strategies as veterans become frantic in their search for peace.

But that doesn’t have to be the end for those who struggle with PTSD. Help comes in the form of therapy and counseling, and, with help, the mental health issues that can arise from military service are treatable and controllable.

Don’t give up hope if you experience mental health issues after your service. Veterans, be not afraid to seek out care for your emotional health—it is just as vital as any splinting a broken bone or applying pressure to a bleeding wound.

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Shutterstock.com

Being in the military is hard work. Even for those whose jobs are more administrative in nature, there are still physical challenges.

Those deployed to warzones are required to wear heavy body armor, backpacks, and helmets, in addition to carrying weapons—sometimes across great distances. In the event of an attack, it is often necessary to dive for cover, run, or otherwise physically perform while weighted down. This puts a great strain on the body.

A little over half of veterans seek health care, after deployments, to address pain in their necks, back, knees, and shoulders, with many reporting chronic muscle pain.

Even when at home, many military jobs require heavy lifting. Items like toolboxes, freight, and munitions are weighty, and if safety guidelines are disregarded—as they often are—injuries happen.

Sustained exercise can help reduce pain related to musculoskeletal injuries, and can prevent new ones from occurring. Veterans should speak with their doctors about beginning a long-term exercise program in order to keep any injuries they received as military members under control.

Infectious Diseases

Shutterstock.com

Finally, infectious diseases make up a big threat to service members.

Generally, all military members are well-vaccinated before deployment. Yet, strangely, they disproportionately suffer from infections and diseases which the normal civilian population does not normally contract.

These include bacterial infections, fungal infections, parasites, and viruses.

The simple act of leaving your home country for a foreign land comes with a huge risk of disease—service members simply don’t have adequate immunity to the indigenous diseases.

They may also be unaware of parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis, a disease caused by the bite of a Middle-eastern sand fly, which produces weight loss, fevers, headaches, and muscle pain—this can be fatal, if untreated.

Again, if you’re a veteran and you’ve deployed in the past, get any unexplained symptoms checked out as soon as possible. It very well may be treatable, leading to a better quality of life!