Parkinson ’ s Risk Factors continued
Serving in the Military
Parkinson ’ s Risk Factors continued
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Serving in the Military
Veterans of the armed forces may be at increased risk for Parkinson ’ s disease
110k
United States veterans are living with PD according to the U . S . Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ).
What to know :
Military veterans , who give their time and risk their lives for others , are among the most selfless of volunteers . The type , length and location of service may vary , but the motivation to serve is often the same .
Veterans may be familiar and comfortable with certain types of risk . But many may not be aware that military service can put them at risk for Parkinson ’ s and other conditions .
Not all veterans develop Parkinson ’ s disease . But , according to the U . S . Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ), at least 110,000 United States veterans are living with PD . In those who get Parkinson ’ s , the disease could show up years or even decades after military service . In some people , the first signs — long before movement symptoms — are mood or sleep changes . Because these are common in veterans , they might not be recognized as an early part of the disease .
Most veterans , including those with mood or sleep changes , do not get Parkinson ’ s . But knowing your risk , watching for new symptoms of any sort , and seeing your doctor regularly can help you stay on top of your health journey .
In veterans with Parkinson ’ s , the cause of disease is likely a combination of aging , genetics and environment , as it is in civilians . But certain environmental factors linked to PD are also more common among veterans . These include Agent Orange , other toxins , and traumatic brain injury ( TBI ). Studies have shown associations between these environmental exposures and an increased risk of Parkinson ’ s :
+ Agent Orange Agent Orange is an herbicide , a chemical that kills plants or prevents them from growing . It was used to clear plants and leaves for military operations in Vietnam and the Korean demilitarized zone .
+ C hemicals and contaminants In the 1980s , the water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with trichloroethylene ( TCE ), a chemical that removes grease , as well as other potentially harmful compounds . TCE has been linked to Parkinson ’ s .
Researchers also are investigating potential connections between disease and burn pits , areas on military installations where trash is burned because landfills aren ’ t available .
+ Traumatic brain injury Sudden impact to the head , with or without loss of consciousness , can cause traumatic brain injury . Veterans may experience TBI through an explosion in combat or a training exercise , for example . TBI symptoms can include headaches , mood changes , memory problems and more . A traumatic brain injury can be mild and temporary or more significant and longer lasting .
Learn more at research . va . gov / topics / tbi . cfm .
The VA recognizes Parkinson ’ s as a “ presumptive ” illness linked to Agent Orange , Camp Lejeune contaminants , and moderate to severe TBI . This means that veterans with PD who were exposed to these environmental factors do not have to prove a connection between their service and Parkinson ’ s to receive VA health care and disability benefits . They are automatically eligible and “ service connected .” Those who develop PD during service or within a year of discharge may also be entitled to these benefits .
Learn more at parkinsons . va . gov / patients . asp .
Researchers are studying military links to learn how and why Parkinson ’ s comes on and to improve care for veterans and their families , and , ultimately , prevent the disease .
Better Brain Health | Section 02 — Understanding and Living with Risk Factors 39