(Editors Note 2: After the publication of this article, we received our first call from a Vietnam veteran with proven agent orange exposure who developed IC shortly after his military service. We are committed to helping our active duty and veterans who are struggling. Please don’t hesitate to give Jill a call (800-928-7496) if you would like some one on one help. She comes from a Navy family and you have a special place in her heart.)
(Editors Note: Do the conditions of military service increase the risk of IC, bladder and pelvic pain? Can service abroad, in a war zone, increase the risk? With the growing awareness of the effects of burn pits and water quality issues on our active duty and service veterans, it is crystal clear that toxic exposures are high. Given that the toxins resulting from smoking are the number one cause of bladder cancer, it’s not a stretch to accept that burn pits could also affect the urinary tract. Some service members have developed bladder pain, urinary frequency, urgency while on active duty and have been retired medically as a result. If you developed IC/BPS symptoms during or after military service, we encourage you to learn more about your options. This may be actionable! – Jill O.)
The men and women who have served our country have carried a heavy burden. While it’s expected for military service to be more demanding than many civilian jobs, the ramifications can often leave veterans dealing with injuries and health conditions that follow them long after their time in service. Many of these health complications come from the toxic exposure that many veterans dealt with during their service.
Understanding Toxic Exposure
Surveys estimate that 40% of all veterans have been exposed to some type of hazardous substance. Some of the most common sources of toxic exposures including:
- Agent Orange: Agent Orange refers to a hazardous substance that was widely used during the Vietnam War. Prostate cancer, bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, as well as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and hypothyroidism are all related to exposure to this extremely toxic substance.
- Agent Blue: Agent Blue was used in the Vietnam war to kill rice and other crops and contained arsenic, a known carcinogen in its mixture.
- Gulf War Illnesses: Gulf War veterans were frequently subjected to a variety of chemical and environmental dangers, including oil well fires, waste pits, other dangerous smoke, and airborne contaminants. During the Gulf War, exposure to these substances has been related to serious illnesses like fibromyalgia, lung and gastrointestinal disorders.
- Toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune: The Camp Lejeune Marine Police Base in North Carolina is known to have contaminated potable water, which has been linked to the development of severe diseases, including: leukemia, multiple myeloma, Parkinson’s disease, and bladder, kidney, and liver cancer.
- Ionizing radiation: Veterans who were subjected to ionizing radiation while serving are more likely to develop any form of cancer, including leukemia, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma, as well as bone, brain, colon, and breast cancer. (cancer of plasma cells).
- Job-related hazards: Some soldiers engaged in routine compound labor, putting them at risk for toxic exposure to chemicals, paint, radioactivity, or other dangers.
There has been renewed interest in addressing these issues with the VA rolling out medical screenings which have expanded VA benefits to cover many of the illnesses associated with toxic exposure.
Long-Term Effects on Urinary Health
There is a growing body of evidence linking toxic exposure to conditions that affect urinary health such as:
Bladder cancer
With around 3,200 diagnoses every year, bladder cancer is the 4th most commonly diagnosed cancer among veterans. Bladder cancer occurs when cellular growth in the bladder goes uncontrolled and creates tumors inside the bladder. Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or Camp LeJeune’s contaminated drinking water are at increased risk of developing bladder cancer.
Symptoms include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Blood in urine
- Painful and/or frequent need to urinate
- Incontinence
- Fatigue and general malaise
- Sudden weight loss
Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue inside the uterus grows outside of the uterus. When this tissue grows onto ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels, or the lining of the pelvis, it can cause intense, often debilitating pain. Some studies have shown a connection between chemicals such as dioxins such as those used during the Vietnam War and endometriosis.
As it grows, the tissue also scars and thickens which causes further inflammation and symptoms such as:
- Infertility
- Severe menstrual pain
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Pain during urination
Urinary incontinence
Some research has shown that veterans experience increased rates of urinary incontinence and symptoms such as:
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- Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, or laughing
- Increased urge to urinate
- More intense urges to urinate
- Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate
Protections for Veterans with Toxic Exposure
The VA has thankfully become much more responsible in providing benefits and monetary recompense for soldiers who experienced toxic exposure. Recently, the PACT Act was approved, adding measures that safeguard many veterans. This is in addition to known safeguards for diseases like endometriosis that might not be as readily associated with chemical exposure.
Veterans must still go through the VA claims procedure to prove their condition(s) and that the exposure was service-related according to their military documents to receive VA benefits related to toxic exposure. All conditions covered by the VA require a service-related connection. Chronic injuries, bodily diseases like endometriosis, and mental health disorders like PTSD are all qualifying conditions.
