What is Fibromyalgia?

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Editorial Board

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a disease common in middle aged women but men can get FMS as well. There is not specific cause for fibromyalgia that is currently known.  The symptoms of fibromyalgia include fatigue, muscle pain and tenderness, headaches, memory trouble, and trouble sleeping. Often times when someone has fibromyalgia their muscles are so tender that it is painful for them to be touched.

It is more likely that a person who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis or an autoimmune disorder like lupus will develop fibromyalgia. There is no lab test for fibromyalgia so the only way to find out if you have it is to rely on the symptoms. When you visit a doctor for pain they will test all of the different tender points in your body to see if you have FMS. If they find you have enough tender points they will begin helping you treat it with medications and other treatment options.

There is no known cause of fibromyalgia and there is also no cure. There are medications and treatment options available including lifestyle changes. It is recommended that a person with fibromyalgia do what they can to ensure they get an ample amount of sleep each night. This can be difficult because of the chronic pain.  It is also recommended that if you have fibromyalgia that you try to exercise as much as possible. This will help strengthen your muscles and help you to get better sleep which we just discussed is important.

Anyone can develop this disease, if you think it is possible you have it due to pain and tenderness, be sure to get checked by your doctor so you can begin treating this disease as fast as possible. Eventually a Rheumatologist will be the specialist doctor threating your FMS.

For more information on Fibromyalgia take a look at this website, we feel it offers great information to those who suffer from FMS, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fibromyalgia.html.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Can Make Someone Disabled

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Editorial Board

A joint is a structure which allows the meeting of two bones and it allows for the movement of different body parts.  Arthritis is defined as inflammation of a joint.  Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.  RA may also affect other body organs in addition to just joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a leading cause of disability within the musculoskeletal category of impairments and it affects over 1.3 million people in the U.S. alone.  Women are more commonly affected than men.  It affects people of all ages but its incidence rises sharply as one’s age advances.  People over 40 have a much higher chance of developing this disabling disease than do younger people.  The genetic basis of this disease has been proven and it may affect multiple members of a same family.

The hallmark of this disease is that it is a chronic condition that usually lasts for years due to lack of any cure.  It is also typically a progressive disease leading to more severe signs and symptoms over time.

The symptoms of this disease are variable and may come and go depending on the level of inflammation and resulting damage.  In case of current inflammation, the disease is called active and if the inflammation subsides due to any reason, the disease is said to be inactive. Remissions are common and may occur at any time despite ongoing treatment and may last for years.  The course of this disease is highly variable and varies from patient to patient.

In a case of active RA disease, the patient may have symptoms like loss of appetite and energy, fatigue, low-grade fever, joint pain, and stiffness.  Pain and stiffness is usually more severe in the morning and after long periods of inactivity.  The joints become inflamed, swollen, hard, painful and tender.

The notable feature of this disease is that it usually affects multiple joints and thus has an enormous overall negative impact on health.  The small joints of wrist and/or hand are commonly affected and these patients face difficulties in day-to-day routines like turning of door knobs and other such handling and fingering tasks. Chronic long term inflammation leads to extensive damage in joints and other body organs.  The loss of cartilage, weakness and destruction of bone, damage to joint cartilage and muscles can lead to loss of function and maybe even disability.

Persistent pain and stiffness and lack of joint mobility are the two major causes of disability in most patients.  As there is no cure, RA patients feel pain over a long time.  They are also unable to use joints for routine work which deteriorates the quality of life, both physical and mental.  Problems and limitations from RA usually get worse with advancement of age making older people more likely to be disabled from arthritis.  Progressive inflammation leads to restricted joint movements, and permanent deformity limiting activities including work.

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Diabetes Can Lead To Disability Benefits

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Editorial Board

The incidence of Diabetes is on the rise all over the world. In 2007 about 7.8% of the U.S population was reported to be diabetic. The important fact to consider here is that about 5.7 million people are still undiagnosed and 57 million people are in the pre-diabetes phase.

Applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security Income (SSI) can file an application if they have diabetes and resulting impairments that prevent them from working.  Diabetes is part of the Social Security Administration’s blue book of listings which describes the level of severity of diabetes for the listing to be met, and benefits to be awarded.  However, patients with diabetes and no serious complications due to diabetes will not meet the listing level, or win based on the listing rule.

Diabetic patients may found to be disabled under the listing if severe kidney disease is present due to the diabetes. Patients who require dialysis due to chronic kidney failure are considered disabled by meeting the listing. If someone has a kidney transplant, he or she will be considered disabled for 12 months after which the case will be reevaluated to determine the level of impairment. Many listing rules depend on various test results including laboratory evaluation of kidney functions to determine the level of impairment present.

A patient with weight loss, persistent anorexia with serum creatinine levels over 4 mg/dL for at least 3 months will also meet a listing. Similarly, if diabetes remains uncontrolled due to improper function of the pancreas with repeated episodes of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or ketosis and weight loss than a listing is met.

Neuropathy is common in patients with severe or prolonged diabetes. If a diabetic patient has neuropathy with severe and sustained inability to use hands for work or limit standing or walking, those limitations will be considered in evaluating a claimant’s disability.  Another area where diabetes often produces limitations is with vision.

Retinopathy is a general term used to denote some form of non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye. Retinopathy is also a common symptom in diabetic patients. It is evaluated like any other vision impairment. If a diabetic patient has a major vision loss then they could possibly win benefits under a listing rule. Some patients with advanced and uncontrolled diabetes face amputation of upper or lower extremities. Certain amputations are considered disabling under listing rules.

Not everyone with diabetes will win disability benefits because of their diabetes, but some people are disabled because of the problems and limitations they have from diabetes.  Social Security does consider all of your severe impairments to decide if you are disabled or not, and so even if you do not meet a listing for any one impairment you can still win under other rules within the five step sequential disability evaluation process.

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Lupus Symptoms and Treatment Options

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Editorial Board

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that if you have lupus your immune system attacks your own organs and tissues. This attack results in inflammation and damage to your joints, skin, kidneys, heart, brain, lungs, and/or blood cells.

Lupus Symptoms

Most people with lupus have mild symptoms with periodic flare-ups (when symptoms get worse for a time.) The symptoms of lupus depend on the tissues and organs that are affected, and tend to come and go, with different symptoms occurring during the course of the disease.

The most common symptoms of lupus include:

Extreme fatigue

Fever

Weight change

Joint pain and swelling

Depression

Anxiety

Memory loss

Hair loss

Abnormal blood clotting

Ulcers in the mouth or nose

Butterfly-shaped rash over the cheeks and bridge of the nose

Anemia

Fingers and toes that turn white in the cold, easy bruising

Skin lesions that get worse with exposure to sun

Many of the symptoms of lupus are also symptoms of other diseases, such as blood disorders, fibromyalgia, diabetes, Lyme disease, thyroid problems, and several heart, lung, and muscle diseases.

Occurrence and Causes

Lupus is more common in women than men and more common in Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians than Caucasians. While it can affect people of all ages, it is most commonly diagnosed in people between 15 and 40 years old. As with most autoimmune diseases the causes of lupus are not known. Factors that may increase the risk of getting lupus include certain prescription medicines, sunlight, Epstein-Barr virus, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Diagnosis

Because signs and symptoms come and go and vary so much from person to person, lupus is difficult to diagnose. The American College of Rheumatology has 11 criteria for diagnosing lupus. Doctors may also use blood tests to help with diagnosis.  Typically a rheumatologist, a specialist, will be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of someone with Lupus.

Treatment of Lupus

Treatment for lupus depends on the type, location, and severity of symptoms. While some recommended medications are sold over the counter, it’s important for people with lupus to discuss any medication with their doctors before taking them. That’s because they could cause unwanted side effects, especially for pregnant and nursing women.

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can reduce symptoms. Some people with lupus get relief from anti malaria drugs. Corticosteroids can also lessen lupus-related inflammation, but they can have serious side effects, especially at the higher doses used to treat cases that are life threatening.

Researchers continue to conduct clinical trials to find more effective treatments for lupus. For example, the National Institutes for Health has reported on the possibility of using Omega-3 fatty acids to treat lupus. Also, it’s been shown that lifestyle changes like exercise and appropriate rest can help people with lupus.

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