Griffith University researchers believe cellular door dysfunction is the cause of long-misunderstood Gulf War Illness
By Janelle Miles and Emma PollardPosted 12h ago12 hours ago
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Duration: 4 minutes 9 seconds4m 9s
Griffith University researchers believe they may have found the cause of Gulf War Illness.
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In short:
Up to a third of veterans who served in the Gulf War are estimated to suffer from the illness, which has never been specifically recognised in Australia.Researchers at Griffith University say dysfunctional "cell doors" could be the cause.
What's next?
The researchers say the findings may open up the possibility of treatments, similar to the trial of drugs to treat long COVID-19.In a world first, Australian researchers have identified a significant defect in the cells of Gulf War participants they believe explains an array of mystery health issues that have plagued many of the veterans for decades.
The discovery, by Griffith University scientists, has given hope to the veterans that their often-debilitating symptoms will finally be recognised as Gulf War Illness by the medical profession and the Australian government.
It may also have international ramifications, with almost a million people serving in the US-led coalition of countries against Iraq in 1990-91, including more than 1,800 Australians.
Up to a third are estimated to suffer Gulf War Illness.
Australian Gulf War Veterans' Association president Ian Allwood, a NSW police sergeant, says the research has opened up the possibility of a treatment, more than three decades after the Persian Gulf battle.
Mr Allwood, who is Newcastle-based, was only 19 when he served in the Gulf War on HMAS Darwin as an upper deck lookout, manning 50-calibre machine guns.
"I remember during the smoke oil and dust fires, at 10 o'clock in the morning, as being in absolute darkness," he recalled.
"My eyes were watering. For years, I coughed up a mucous that tasted like smoke, oil, and dust.
"The yucky burning oil taste still comes out of my lungs if I get a knock in the chest. It's still there."
Mr Allwood, who took part in the Gulf War Illness study, said he gets goosebumps when he thinks about how it may help improve veterans' lives after years of their symptoms being doubted by doctors.
"There's nothing worse than going to a doctor and you have a symptom, or multi-symptoms, and they don't know what's wrong with you.
"Ultimately, it comes back to 'well, perhaps you're imagining those symptoms'. From a veteran's point of view, the effect of having someone say to you that they don't believe you, is very detrimental.
"To be believed, means the world."