Agent Orange is a chemical herbicide that was used during the Vietnam War. U.S. forces had difficulty identifying enemy forces due to excessive foliage, and Agent Orange was utilized to kill the foliage for better visibility. The chemical was sprayed all over the terrain from planes, and U.S. soldiers then came into contact with it. Exposure to Agent Orange has since plagued many veterans with multiple health problems that were unknown to medical professionals at the time. The health care field is still learning about the effects of this herbicide on the soldiers who were exposed to it during this time period.
Parkinson's Disease
According to Drugs.com, an increase in Parkinson's disease among Vietnam era veterans has been associated with exposure to Agent Orange. This herbicide affects the neurological pathways in the brain, and this increases the risk for Parkison's disease, which is a neurological disorder.
Heart Disease
As time has passed since the Vietnam War, many veterans have been presenting with heart disease in varying forms. These increased rates of heart disease have been attributed to Agent Orange exposure, according to Drugs.com.
Hypertension
There is not sufficient data at this time to indicate that Agent Orange is a definitive cause of hypertension, but many soldiers who have been exposed to this herbicide during the Vietnam conflict have shown an increase in hypertension compared to those who weren't, according to Drugs.com.
Cancer
Agent Orange has been attributed to an increase in various forms of cancer. Prostate cancer has been linked to this herbicide, according to Drugs.com. Soft-tissue cancers have also been linked to Agent Orange, according to Salem State University.
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