VA Researches Gut Pain of Service Members Who Have Been Deployed

Doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs are studying a high incidence of serious gastrointestinal and liver problems afflicting military personnel who have been deployed in the Middle East. Service members and veterans are suffering from such conditions as irritable bowel syndrome and cirrhosis long after they’ve returned home. Various explanations have been offered as to the causes, but for now, medical researchers are working on the best way to get help for troops experiencing gastrointestinal problems connected to their deployment.

Dr. Arun Sharma, a physician working with the VA’s Office of Research and Development, is evaluating links between gut pain and the amount of time that armed forces members serve overseas. Some potential explanations for gastrointestinal and liver afflictions include:

• Unsanitary food and water — Unsanitary conditions are often associated with overseas deployments. The medical journal Gastroenterology found that more than three-quarters of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans endured diarrheal illnesses. Infections borne by food and water trigger these conditions and severely limit the ability of service members to perform their duties.
• PTSD and brain injuries — Scientists are reviewing possible links between harmful microbes located in the gastrointestinal tract and conditions frequently suffered by soldiers, such as brain injuries, Gulf War Syndrome and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some researchers believe the presence of these bacteria might explain why some people suffer with PTSD while others who have had similar experiences do not.
• Stress-related conditions — Several common reactions to stress, including alcohol use and sleep deprivation, can have a negative impact on liver and gastrointestinal health. These coping mechanisms and others complicate the analysis of the maladies afflicting veterans.

Many men and women who were stationed the Middle East might not realize that a condition such as inflammatory bowel syndrome or infectious diarrhea might be traced to their military service. The research being performed by the VA and others could lead to a breakthrough that helps veterans get the assistance they need.

Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban advocates for veterans who have suffered physical and/or psychological problems due to their deployment in Afghanistan or Iraq. If you served in the Middle East and are dealing with stomach, bowel or liver problems, we will pursue the benefits and other compensation you are entitled to. For a free consultation, please call 866-866-VETS or contact us online. We have offices in the Carolinas and Virginia.