It all started in Indiana in 1992. Veterans of the Gulf war began to experience a curious range of symptoms. These included sever fatigue, aching joints, headaches, rashes and hair loss. Other than these physical symptoms, many veterans reported memory loss. A new syndrome was born.
One of the best-known examples of post-combat disease suffered by army veterans is Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). Also known as Gulf War Illness, this condition exhibits a wide range of symptoms including chronic fatigue, headaches, dizziness and muscle and joint pain. These symptoms are characteristic of immune system disorders.
Since the Gulf War ended in 1991, both the United States Veteran Administration and the British Ministry of Defence have carried out many studies on Gulf War Veterans. These studies concluded that deployed veterans of the Gulf War exhibited a higher level of four of the medical conditions associated with GWS, namely, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, eczema, and dyspepsia.
GWS has resulted in a spate of conspiracy theories accusing the military authorities of cover ups. One of the most common theories is that GWS results from the unleashing of chemical and biological weapons by the Iraqis. As only 1% of combatants report suffering from GWS, this is unlikely as the troops were spread out evenly on the battlefield. If chemical weapons had been used, the percentage of sufferers would have been much higher.
One of the best-known examples of post-combat disease suffered by army veterans is Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). Also known as Gulf War Illness, this condition exhibits a wide range of symptoms including chronic fatigue, headaches, dizziness and muscle and joint pain. These symptoms are characteristic of immune system disorders.
Since the Gulf War ended in 1991, both the United States Veteran Administration and the British Ministry of Defence have carried out many studies on Gulf War Veterans. These studies concluded that deployed veterans of the Gulf War exhibited a higher level of four of the medical conditions associated with GWS, namely, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, eczema, and dyspepsia.
GWS has resulted in a spate of conspiracy theories accusing the military authorities of cover ups. One of the most common theories is that GWS results from the unleashing of chemical and biological weapons by the Iraqis. As only 1% of combatants report suffering from GWS, this is unlikely as the troops were spread out evenly on the battlefield. If chemical weapons had been used, the percentage of sufferers would have been much higher.