Military blast exposure linked to long-term health risks

A study published in the journal Neurology® indicates that high-level blast exposure from incoming explosive devices or land mines is associated with an increased risk of various long-term health conditions in military veterans.

Researchers followed 36,641 veterans who received care through the Veterans Health Administration for up to 10 years. The findings suggest that blast exposure is a “whole-body problem” with implications extending far beyond acute brain injury. Veterans with a history of high-level blast exposure showed a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic conditions.

Specific conditions associated with high-level blast exposure include seizures, stroke, neuropathy, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hepatitis B and C. It was also linked to respiratory issues such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. While the study demonstrates a strong association, researchers noted it does not prove that blast exposure directly causes these conditions.