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Are Short Term Memory Loss And Mental Confusion Normal Post Exposure To Chemicals?

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Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016
Question: I am a retired army vet. In 1974, I went to basic training at Ft McClellan Ala. That fort has been closed due to its chemical toxicity. Although I was there for two week, I wonder if I was exposed long enough to any of the following to cause some of the medical issues I have today: Agent Orange, Agent Blue, Sarin, VX, Uranium, Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) and Trichloroethylene (TCE). Some of the things I experience are short term memory loss and mental confusion (sometimes), shakiness, edema in legs, low thyroid, symptoms of hypoglycemia, lower back pain, arthritis, overactive bladder, anxiety, GERD, sleep apnea (I use a B-pap machine but still have bouts of extreme sleepiness throughout my days), low potassium, etc. I had a hysterectomy in 1999 because of ovarian non-malignant tumors. I am 73 years old, so some of these may be age-related.
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Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Cannot be told apart definitively

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health care magic.

Although radiation sickness could be associated, there is no way to directly infer that these effects are due to the effect of radiation and not due to aging. I think that the problems have to be individually dealt with. Let me know if I could specifically help with anything and I will gladly help.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Are Short Term Memory Loss And Mental Confusion Normal Post Exposure To Chemicals?

Brief Answer: Cannot be told apart definitively Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on Health care magic. Although radiation sickness could be associated, there is no way to directly infer that these effects are due to the effect of radiation and not due to aging. I think that the problems have to be individually dealt with. Let me know if I could specifically help with anything and I will gladly help. Regards