Iran war renews concerns about the lasting toll of traumatic brain injuries to US troops
WASHINGTON (AP) — When Joe Shearer was a Marine fighting in Iraq, a blast from an enemy mortar round knocked him down and made him vomit. He got up and kept going despite a searing…
The ongoing Iran war has sparked renewed concerns over the long-term impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) on American troops. Joe Shearer, a 40-year-old Marine from Colorado Springs, was diagnosed with TBIs after sustaining injuries during combat in Iraq. Despite being urged to continue fighting, Shearer's persistent headaches and sleeplessness only worsened over time. He attributes his symptoms to the explosions he encountered during his service, which were only recently diagnosed as TBIs.
In the conflict-ridden Middle East, nearly 700 U.S. service members have been wounded by drone and missile attacks on bases. Most have experienced TBIs, but the majority have returned to duty, according to military officials. The Pentagon's spokesman, Sean Parnell, characterized the majority of these injuries as minor concussions.
However, doctors cannot predict which individuals may suffer lasting effects from a TBI. While most recover within weeks, some continue to experience headaches, dizziness, memory issues, or "brain fog" for months or years.
The issue of predicting long-term consequences of TBIs has sparked medical debate about whether to eliminate the term "mild TBI." Repeated head impacts can elevate the risk of lasting problems, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease previously linked to football players. Dr. David Okonkwo, a University of Pittsburgh brain trauma specialist, emphasized the importance of allowing sufficient recovery time between head injuries to prevent heightened risk of another.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
