January 8, 2021
Learn to Recognize the Health Issues Afflicting Our Vets
Photo by Karolina Grabowska under Pexels License
Explosions, close-quarters combat, exposure to toxic chemicals, and round-the-clock stress — these were only a few of the traumatic experiences that former members of our armed forces had to endure while in service. These experiences have taken their toll on the minds and bodies of even the best and strongest of our soldiers.
This is the reason why we see many veterans struggling with health issues as can be seen from the disabilities and scars on their bodies. Many veterans also suffer from mental health disorders whose signs are much less obvious to see.
Because of the nature of their former job, our veterans have more health problems than the general population. We need to recognize these health issues — both physical and mental — so we can provide them the kind of assistance they need.
The 6 Most Common Health Problems Vets Face
If you have a veteran in your family, you have to learn how to recognize and identify the signs of their afflictions. Check out the common health problems that affect former service members:
- Respiratory diseases
These are often experienced by service members who were stationed in Iraq where the air was constantly filled with toxic smoke from waste disposal burn pits. The items that were burned in these pits included various types of chemical warfare agents, medical waste, plastics, weaponry, paint, and metals. People constantly exposed to these toxins experience the symptoms of respiratory diseases that include chest pain, difficulty breathing, excessive production of mucus, and persistent cough.
- Hearing Impairment
Veterans were constantly exposed to extremely loud noises and vibration that came from gunfire, heavy weapons, running jet engines, noisy engine rooms, and explosions. As a consequence, they suffer from hearing impairment due to damaged ear parts. Some of these vets suffer from persistent buzzing or ringing in their ears.
It’s important to note that the possible causes of hearing problems aren’t only limited to loud noise and vibration. For instance, constant exposure to chemicals such as jet fuel can affect the area of the brain that’s responsible for interpreting sound.
- Autoimmune disorder
An autoimmune disorder is characterized by a malfunction of the immune system. Instead of attacking disease-causing pathogens, antibodies attack the body’s healthy tissues. The common cause of such a disorder is the patient’s constant exposure to stress, which triggers certain biological changes. These may lead to lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other diseases.
- Infectious diseases
Although the military always makes sure that all our troops are well-vaccinated before their deployment, they still struggle with various bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections that aren’t normally experienced by the civilian population. Stepping in a foreign land that harbors certain types of indigenous diseases often puts our troops at risk.
As a result, some of our veterans have contracted certain indigenous diseases such as brucellosis, campylobacter jejuni, leishmaniasis, and Coxiella burnetii. The symptoms of these diseases may persist for many years.
- Mental health issues
The most common mental health issue among our troops and veterans is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can afflict any individual who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Since life in the military means being exposed to gruesome scenes and the constant threat of death for extended periods, a large number of our veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD.
Veterans afflicted with PTSD may exhibit violent behavior, alcohol and substance abuse, depression, and severe anxiety. If left untreated, these symptoms could significantly impair their daily functioning.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Severe head trauma due to explosions, a vehicular accident, or a strong blow to the head can lead to a serious health issue called TBI. Common symptoms of this brain injury include mild disorientation, changes in thinking skills, fatigue, dizziness, memory issues, and extended loss of consciousness.
You Can Make a Difference in the Lives of Our Suffering Veterans
makes it easy for you to extend a helping hand to veterans who are struggling with various health issues and other problems. All you have to do is contact us and donate to us any type of vehicle that you no longer need.
We’ll auction off your donation and use the proceeds to support the life-changing programs and services that our veteran-focused charity partners deliver to their beneficiaries. These IRS-certified 501(c)3 nonprofits provide disadvantaged veterans and their families with quality health care, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, psychotherapy services, and many other benefits.
As our donor, you’ll get to enjoy a maximum tax deduction. You’ll also benefit from our free pickup and towing service, which is available in all parts of the country.
You can donate not just your old car but almost any other type of vehicle that you no longer need. In most cases, we accept even vehicles that are no longer in good running condition or not running at all.
If you want to learn more about our vehicle donation program, feel free to visit our FAQs page. For inquiries or concerns, reach out to us at 877-594-5822 or send us a message online.
Be a Part of a Noble Cause Today!
Photo by RDNE Stock project under Pexels License
A car donation from you will surely go a long way in addressing the health concerns and other pesky problems that are making life miserable for our nation’s living yet unsung heroes. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our online donation form now!
Last Updated: August 24th, 2023