Fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Editorial Board

Social Security Disability is a Federal insurance program that is funded by contributions by employees, employers and the self-employed.  When money is taken out of your paycheck to pay Social Security taxes, part of your contribution is going toward insurance in case you become disabled and can no longer work. In order to be eligible to file for Social Security Disability, you must have worked enough in the period immediately leading up to the date that you claimed to have become disabled.

Work credits are given for every 3 month period that you worked and in general you need 20 credits over the last 10 years prior to filing for disability.  Younger people who become disabled require fewer total credits while older people, approaching the retirement age of 62 require more work credits.

Fibromyalgia has always been a very difficult medical condition to diagnose.  The disease, that mostly affects women, can be very disabling even though there are very few outward signs of the disease.  A lack of obvious symptoms and the chance that the condition can often be attributed to a lack of sleep or a temporary injury, makes winning disability with fibromyalgia very difficult.

Probably the best approach to get Social Security Disability while claiming you have fibromyalgia syndrome is to keep detailed records of visits to a doctor for the condition.  If you have been going to a doctor for years and being treated for the condition, you will have some evidence to show the people that make the decision on whether or not to award you Social Security Disability.  Your doctor will play a key role in the process, as it is his word and diagnosis that the decision-makers rely on the most.

In many cases, you may be asked to be seen by a doctor that is recommended by Social Security.  You must comply in order for your case to proceed.

In addition to medical records, it can work in your favor if you can show that you were forced to miss a lot of work because of your condition. Just as back pain and depression are hard to prove that they are disabling to the point where you cannot work, fibromyalgia falls into the same category.  Disability benefits for FMS may be difficult to attain, but if you are truly afflicted with fibromyalgia syndrome, you are entitled to get Social Security Disability.

If you are denied, you will need to file an appeal.  Hiring a competent attorney to represent you will probably enhance your chances to be successful and receive your benefits.  You will only be charged if the attorney does their job well and gets you Social Security Disability benefits.

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How To Treat Depression By Thinking Outside The Box

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Editorial Board

When many people think of how to treat depression, they immediately picture a therapist and antidepressant medications. While these can be valuable aspects of a treatment plan, there are now many effective alternatives that are gaining in popularity. Remember, you should always consult a doctor before beginning an alternative or complementary treatment. However, these methods can greatly assist in healing and recovery.

For those who are averse to using pharmaceuticals, there are many natural depression remedies available. One of the most well-known is St John’s Wort, an herb in the Hypericum genus. This plant has been clinically proven to be effective in treating depression, and often has fewer side effects than antidepressants. However, like any medication it can have serious side effects in some patients and may interact with other medications, so it is important to consult a doctor before taking it. However, St John’s Wort is available over the counter in many countries. Traditional Indian and Chinese healers also have specific herbs and teas used to treat depression.

Many people are also beginning to examine their diets for causes of depression. It is no secret that in today’s world many people do not get all of the nutrients they should. Depression has been linked to low levels of B and D vitamins, folic acid, and iron. Many people have helped to heal their depression by paying more attention to their diet or taking supplements if necessary. Many people also report excellent results after using Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of self-healing through diet and herbs.

Yoga, meditation, and depression support groups are also becoming increasingly popular. Yoga encourages movement and fitness, as well as having a meditative component that may make it more effective than other forms of exercise. Meditation calms the mind and body, and has been proven to reduce stress and sadness. Depression support groups can provide a social outlet and the knowledge that the patient is not alone. Since many people with depression feel isolated, this can help a great deal. Acupuncture is also growing in popularity as a treatment, and there is some clinical proof that it is effective in treating depression.

Depression affects approximately 121 million people worldwide, yet many people are too afraid or ashamed to seek treatment. Fortunately, there are many alternative methods for people wondering how to treat depression. With the many approaches and treatments available today, treating depression is more successful than ever.

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Diagnosis and Management of Spinal Pain

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Editorial Board

The joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves connected to the human spine are all potential causes of spinal pain. The body can be host to anything from fibromyalgia to rheumatoid arthritis so diagnosing a specific injury or causation is very difficult but necessary before considering treatment options. Most maladies involving the spine or related areas are a great source of severe back pain for sufferers. The treatments for bad back ailments include pain management, surgery and physical therapy, though none of these options are a sure fix for back pain.

There are many facets in known medicine that can affect the areas relating to the spine. Auto accidents, sports injuries, slip and falls, hyper-extensions and long-term bad posture can all cause or lead to severe back pain. Other medical conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis can be genetically handed down or acquired by a patient, while they are harder to diagnose the treatments are readily acknowledged as universal and effective. Specialists such as pain-management doctors or chiropractors have a specific area of expertise and focus primarily on back pain related cases. This experience gives them a great deal of comparative precedence’s with which to form accurate and relevant diagnosis. In order to identify the underlying cause of a patient’s symptoms, and thereby formulate the best possible method of treatment, it is important and necessary to consult a medical professional.

Upon accurate identification of the injury, the patient may consider the treatment for bad back or spinal pain. Pain management is normally a combination of narcotic and other medications prescribed to the patient to help them deal with the pain and uneasiness associated with their injury. While this treatment in no way cures the individual, it greatly improves their quality of life and allows them the freedom to participate in activities previously unavailable to them. Surgery is another option, however, it can be extremely dangerous to younger patients if it is not successful or effective, and may cause greater pain and discomfort. Modern doctors are using a combination of treatments to help ease the long-term effects of the pain and possible substance abuse associated with severe back pain treatments.

Current medical professionals have a great deal of experience in dealing with spinal injuries. There have been many advancements in the field lately while some things have remained the same. In some cases, the patient is notified that a cure is not available and long-term medicating is the only viable solution to their injury, while others benefit from cutting edge and ongoing research in the field of spinal medicine.

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Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for Anxiety

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Editorial Board

Almost 4 million Americans suffer from some sort of anxiety disorder and finding the right treatment for anxiety is not always easy. The most common disorder is the generalized anxiety disorder, commonly referred to as GAD. Like the term implies, this anxiety is not focused on any particular situation or object. In general, GAD is a chronic disorder with a non-specific fear of everyday life. Other types of anxiety covered under the term anxiety disorder are panic disorder, phobias, obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and separation anxiety.

The treatment for each disorder varies. Determining the cause and type of disorder is the first step in finding a successful treatment. Phobias are caused by a specific object or situation and the person experiences an intense, irrational fear. Virtually anything can be a trigger. Clowns, noses, horses, spiders, tomatoes, essentially anything could be the trigger.

In comparison, PTSD is caused by a traumatic event. US soldiers, coming back from a war zone, are often associated with this disorder. PTSD can also be experienced after a loss of a loved one, an accident or rape. Any traumatic event can be the cause for this disorder. You can now easily understand why the treatment has to be tailored to each anxiety disorder.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

The general anxiety symptoms are irritability, sweating, difficulty concentrating, tension and trouble falling and/or staying asleep. These are just a few of the symptoms patients report. It is also very common to hear complaints about chest pain, chronic fatigue, back pain or dizziness. The symptoms can be very unspecific. Back pain does not necessarily mean you experience anxiety. It could simply be caused by your last workout in your local gym. Chest pain could signal a heart problem and could be completely unrelated to anxiety. It is very important to let your doctor know what you feel and how you feel so he can diagnose you correctly.

Treatments for anxiety

Many studies have shown the benefits of early treatment and diagnosis of anxiety disorders. Treatments include psychotherapy, pharmaceutical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been very effective in the treatment of panic disorders and social phobia. CBT is based on the gradual exposure to the triggers and desensitize the person over time. Medications commonly used to treat anxiety are Nardil and Parnate. Most recently, Lyrica and the antidepressant Remeron have been used successfully in treating anxiety. Anxiety medications can have many side effects.

Alternative medicine is also used in patients and could bring significant improvement. Changing your lifestyle is one of the changes that a doctor may consider. Valerian root, lemon balm leaf and butterbur are herbal treatments and do not have the harmful side effects of conventional medications.

It is very important to get the right diagnosis from your doctor. The diagnosis will determine what kind of treatment will have the greatest success rate in your particular case. Considering all available options can ensure you will find the treatment that is right for you.

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