Service-Related Health Issues by Emily Walsh

The article attached is about the health risks of being in the military and some preventative measures and tips that maybe helpful to some. I have linked to reputable sources and studies in this field

Service-Related Health Issues
Guest column by Emily Walsh

The health dangers facing veterans can be very challenging. It is not so much combat itself, but other health hazards that can come from unexpected places. Some of these risks, like asbestos exposure, are well known. Asbestos causes a deadly disease known as mesothelioma.[1] Other risks are not so well known. Let’s take a look at a few health risks that may be dangers for military personnel.

Stress and Anxiety
Many of the challenges for military personnel involve a tremendous amount of stress. Stress can lead to health problems like depression and anxiety, difficulty sleeping, problems with memory and concentration, and substance abuse.

Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurring as a result of explosions in not uncommon among veterans serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. TBI is a head injury responsible for disrupting the brain’s normal functioning.

For Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, TBIs usually occur as a result of
improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These are roadside bombs, rocket, mortar, and artillery shells, aerial bombs, traps, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). They can also be the result of vehicle accidents, falling, or any injury caused by a blow to the head. Mild TBIs, or concussions, can also impair someone’s mental health and physical functioning.

TBI symptoms include loss of balance, ringing in the ears, persistent headaches and neck pain, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating or remembering, chronic depression or anxiety, and difficulty reading.

If you suspect you are suffering from TBI, pay a visit to your local VA health care office for screening.

Mesothelioma
What is mesothelioma? It is a lung disease caused by asbestos exposure. This material was once widely used in the military in fireproofing and insulating applications. It turned out to be highly toxic and made many veterans sick.

Most of the material has been removed and is no longer used in new items; however, it is sometimes found in older buildings and vessels. If you suspect asbestos, avoid stirring up the material and report it to your superior officer. The best prevention for mesothelioma is simply avoiding areas where asbestos can be found.

Radiation
Although less common than many other health risks in the military, radiation exposure is an extremely serious health threat for any personnel who have been exposed. Radiation can cause anyone exposed to develop cancers of the brain, bone, bile ducts, liver, pharynx, pancreas, salivary glands, stomach, thyroid, ovaries, and urinary tract.