Report: Study finds link between PTSD, compromised immune systems in veterans

[pinboy3niner]

Source: The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, SC)

Special to The T&D | Posted: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 5:00 am


COLUMBIA - Preliminary results of a study show a link between post-traumatic stress disorder and compromised immune system in war veterans diagnosed with PTSD.


The study, conducted by researchers at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and Arnold School of Public Health, and the Dorn VA Medical Center, shows that PTSD patients have increased levels of inflammation, caused by an increase in certain types of cells that regulate the immune functions.

...


"PTSD is a psychiatric condition with long-lasting symptoms that can occur after exposure to extremely stressful life events," Nagarkatti said. "Patients with PTSD are six times more at risk of committing suicide, and the annual loss of productivity in the United States is estimated to be approximately $3 billion."


Nagarkatti said that almost 30 percent of Vietnam War veterans developed PTSD during, or at some point after, the Vietnam War, and more than 35 percent of returned Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have received mental health diagnoses, the most prevalent being PTSD. However, the precise physiological mechanisms that lead to the development of PTSD are not clear.

...


"Epigenetics is a growing area of research," Nagarkatti said. "Researchers have believed that behavior was influenced by changes in genes. Now they are exploring whether these changes occur outside the genes and are influenced by external factors such as diet, exposure to toxins and traumatic events. Our preliminary research indicates that this is the case."

...


http://www.thetandd.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/article_46229f3c-ac05-11e0-875d-001cc4c03286.html

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Here's what's wrong with America in a nutshell:

"Patients with PTSD are six times more at risk of committing suicide, and the annual loss of productivity in the United States is estimated to be approximately $3 billion."


Nice to see what we really care about!


:grr: :banghead:

[jul61252]

3. so true

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. Stress leads to exhausted adrenal glands.

And in our society, lots of people have adrenal exhaustion and doctors refuse to address it. I know I have it and he ignores me.
The docs are scared to give anyone prednisone b/c they think it will suppress your immune system.
I inherited auto immune problems from my mom's family and I think it's been very suppressed for years. I live in allergic, asthmatic, inflammatory hell.