3 Common Health Issues Veterans Face
Veterans remain in the national news during political debates and other measures meant to steer the country in a certain direction. Few, however, discuss the effects of war on those who have given their lives to preserve the lifestyles of those living in the United States.
Veterans often deal with health issues related to serving in the military. Here are three common challenges former men and women of the armed services may face after returning home from fighting overseas.
Water Contamination
Water pollution occurs when water bodies are contaminated because of human activities. Oil spills are among the most common contamination events to pollute a body of water rather quickly.
In the ocean, contamination leads to the death of sea creatures along with illness among humans who may swim in the polluted area. Drinking water sources subjected to contamination may come with more dire consequences.
Polluted drinking water can cause diseases in humans such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. Contaminated water can also lead individuals to develop influenza or the common cold more often than not.
It is estimated that Americans get about one billion colds every year. Contaminated water likely causes a significant number of these cases annually.
Veterans do not always receive the financial support they need, which forces them to live in apartments more susceptible to water contamination. Some veterans are even forced to live between residences, which further raises the risk of exposure to water pollution.
Disability
Corrosion of metals is the process of deterioration over time, which is usually due to exposure to harsh elements. Corrosion can also be applied to departments such as the armed forces, which suffer an average of $5 billion in losses due to deterioration every year.
Veterans also face corrosion in their personal lives after serving in the military. Many are forced to deal with disabilities that change their quality of life.
Many veterans live with the effects of gunshot wounds as well as hearing loss and sprains. Some former service members also deal with a limited range of motion in the ankles and knees that ultimately lead to forms of arthritis. Head and brain injuries are not uncommon for vets and some even have to deal with the aftermath of lost limbs.
Veterans often need long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation that helps them adjust to their new normals. Some may even require caregivers to help with everyday activities such as bathing and preparing meals. Families in such situations can find a special senior veterans’ program that will be tailored to the unique medical, emotional and social needs of former service members. These programs often include specialised therapies, peer support networks and assistance navigating veteran benefits.
Some vets rely on government-supported health care to provide the attention they need to thrive on a daily basis. Other former service members must depend on family members and friends for help.
Mental Health
Mental health is a term that refers to a wide range of emotional conditions that impact an individual’s mood, thinking, and behavior. Depression and anxiety are often considered staples of mental health issues. There are, however, more than two disorders that veterans deal with after returning from war.
In actuality, post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that affects more veterans every year. This condition causes a person recovering from a traumatic event to have flashbacks of the experience that could lead to problems in social settings and with family members.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious mental health challenge that could lead to everything from depression to suicide. Some individuals suffering from the disorder even commit detrimental crimes such as murder as a way to try to cope with their feelings. Bail bond agencies, which act as mediators for those willing to pledge property in exchange for a loved one’s freedom, are available to provide support to veterans who find themselves in legal trouble.
It is important to provide support, however, throughout a veteran’s journey from the military back to life as a civilian. Men and women in the armed forces sacrifice much to do a job that many do not want. It is crucial to honor them by giving support as they deal with the effects of war.
