Female Vets & Gulf War Illness

A study of over 300 female veterans of the Gulf War found that 25 years later, they are experiencing twice the amount of symptoms of nondeployed fellow vets. Over 20 symptoms were found, including musculoskeletal pain. The study, reported in the Journal of Women’s Health, defined “Gulf War Illness” as having ≥3 of 6 symptom categories: fatigue, neurological/cognitive/mood problems, pain, respiratory, gastrointestinal and skin problems. Frequency of symptoms increased over time. The study calls for taking gender into account, as the illness manifests differently in women than men.

The goal is more effective treatment. The causes of GWI may include exposure to pesticides, nerve gas, and environmental toxins, and the pyridostigmine bromide soldiers took to protect against nerve agents. Female vets in general, from the Vietnam war onward, report higher rates of chronic pain; poor sleep, fatigue, insomnia; respiratory and skin problems.

 

Read the article and access the journal.

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• women's health