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Original Article

Gulf War Illnesses

Chemical, Biological and Radiological Exposures Resulting in Chronic Fatiguing Illnesses Can Be Identified and Treated

, , , , &
Pages 135-154 | Received 22 Jan 2002, Accepted 10 Jun 2002, Published online: 04 Dec 2011
 

ABSTRACT

Gulf War illnesses involve multiple, complex chronic signs and symptoms that loosely fit the clinical criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and/or Fibro-myalgia Syndrome (FMS). Most Gulf War illness patients had multiple exposures: (a) complex chemical mixtures, including organophosphate pesticides, anti-nerve agents, carbamates and possibly nerve and blister agents, (b) radiological sources, subjecting patients to both heavy metal and radiation effects, and (c) biological sources, including bacteria and toxins and the effects of multiple vaccines. Chemically exposed patients may benefit by removing offending chemicals and depleting toxic chemicals from the patient's system and other symptomatic treatments. Patients with systemic infections, including mycoplasma and other chronic bacterial infections, can be treated with antibiotics and additional nutritional supplementation. Some patients may have their illness linked to radiological exposures, and a minority to battlefield stress. The vaccines are a prime suspect for immune dysfunction and chronic infections. The multiple, complex exposures resulted in poorly defined chronic illnesses, but subsets of Gulf War illness can be identified and effectively treated using appropriate procedures.

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