Congress Discusses Hydrocephalus and our Military
Posted by paul on July 19, 2012 · 7 Comments
by Paul Gross, HA Chairman of the Board of Directors
Yesterday, hydrocephalus was a hot topic in Congress during the debate over the annual defense spending bill. Experts believe that two-thirds of our current and former military service members suffering from moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are at risk of developing hydrocephalus – more than 24,000 potential cases, based on the latest information available. Hundreds more could develop hydrocephalus as a result of their injuries, but without the proper screening, their hydrocephalus could go undetected.
During yesterday’s debate, Congressman Robert Andrews (D-NJ), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee who recently wrote to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta regarding the incidence of hydrocephalus in the military, presented the difficulties these veterans will face to the highest ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Norm Dicks (D-WA). This dialogue greatly aided by our combined efforts on advocacy day on June 28, 2012.
(If you are using Firefox to view this, please follow this link to read the transcript of this colloquy)
“Veterans living with this condition will face a lifetime of medical uncertainties and incur costly brain surgeries unless a better treatment is found,” Andrews explained on the House floor. “Would the gentleman be willing to work with me to help gain a better understanding of the incidence and cost of hydrocephalus among our injured service members and veterans so we can focus the appropriate amount of DoD research dollars on finding a better treatment?”
Rep. Dicks responded favorably, pledging to work with Rep. Andrews to gain a better understanding of the issues.
I agree that veterans and military members with brain injury should be better monitored for development of hydrocephalus. Early intervention will prevent further brain injury from the accumulation of excess fluid.
I am also pleased that the House Armed Services Committee is considering adding a research appropriations to the DoD budget. As a former military researcher, I know that many of our greatest healthcare achievements come from the necessity of making injured soldiers whole again. I certainly hope the bill passes, and that there will be coordination between NIH and private organizations such as the Hydrocephalus Foundation in improving outcomes and quality of life for people with hydrocephalus.
Many Americans are unaware of the tremendous – positive – impact that so-called “military-related” research has on the general population.
However, as a shunted hydrocephalus patient (and, ironically, pacifist), I strongly support ALL research regarding hydrocephalus.
This potentially devastating medical condition affects not only veterans, but also many children, working-age adults, and elderly citizens. As such, it deserves to receive funding commensurate with other, more publicized, diagnoses.
This condition will not only affect the veteran, but will also affect the general public. When my son’s condition was getting worse, he developed mental health issues that were wrongly diagnosed. Today, you would never know there was anything wrong with him as long as his shunt is working correctly, although there are memory issues.
Who knows how many of these horrific incidents that we are reading about are also connected to hydrocephalus that is undetected.
I totally agree. When i was 5 years old i got a TBI from the war in Bosnia. I got hit in the head by a grenade and to this day i have shrapnel in my brain and skull. As horrific as this sounds i recovered and lived a normal childhood… little did i know HYDROCEPHALUS will develop years down the line. I was shunted for the first time at 22 years old. And yes the hydrocephalus developed due to the TBI. We need better treatment and a CURE for this condition!!! In the 2 years since the shunt was put in i had 8 more brain surgeries following the first one.
ALL hydrocephalus patients “living with this condition will face a lifetime of medical uncertainties and incur costly brain surgeries unless a better treatment is found,” not just veterans, so I’m glad to know the military is making the push for more research. With his help, eventually the benefits of Congressman Andrews’s recognition of this topic could fan out to include civilians like myself who’ve had hydrocephalus for a lifetime. I would love to see some forward motion in terms of care, prevention and treatment of hydrocephalus in the second half of my life with it.
I am glad to see that Rep. Andrews has asked the DOD to do a better job of collecting the facts that relate to TBI and cases of hydrocephalus. That is the type of information that is needed when seeking a grant for continued research.
I am glad to see that Rep Andrews has asked the DOD to do a better job of collecting the facts, as they relate to TBI and hydrocephalus. Such information will be needed in the near future, whenever some organization wants to seek funds for continued research in that area of medicine.