Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), or Gulf War Illness (GWI), refers to an array of physical and emotional symptoms reported by thousands of United States veterans following their participation in the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. Considerable confusion and controversy surround GWS because symptoms are not only varied but often vary among individuals and may mimic symptoms of other diseases. Also, many vets remain symptom- free, and some researchers claim symptoms are no more prevalent among Gulf War vets than in the general population. Some are of the opinion GWS is related to Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Regardless of the controversy, many vets who left for the war in perfect health now experience illnesses ranging from mild to incapacitating and which, in some cases, has resulted in death.

During the Gulf War, many service people were exposed to dense smoke from oil well fires, infectious diseases...