Chronic Fatigue Awareness

March is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Awareness month. Millions of people in America suffer from chronic fatigue which causes them to have difficulty doing regular everyday tasks, as well as difficulty maintaining their family and social lives. The cause for CFS is unknown, the diagnosis for it can be difficult and the best treatment options are unclear, making it a hard thing to go through on your own. Living with a Disability wants to help bring awareness to this condition so more people can become aware of chronic fatigue.

People who suffer from CFS feel an extreme tiredness but there are other symptoms that can accompany this condition, not everyone shares the same symptoms. Some people may suffer from terrible headaches or joint pain. Others may feel faint or feverish, even though they both share a CFS diagnosis. Once a person has experienced extreme drowsiness for 6 months or more along with other symptoms they may be diagnosed with CFS.

There are different types of CFS treatments that one can try and medication is also prescribed but at this time there is no cure for CFS. Some doctors recommend unusual treatments such as doing hour long oxygen treatments every day to help your blood better deliver oxygen to the tissues throughout your body. The best thing to do if you feel like you may have CFS is to see your doctor. Tell them about all of the symptoms you are experiencing and they will be able to diagnose and treat you to help you feel better. If your CFS is extreme, and interferes significantly with your ability to function consider a second medical opinion.

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Ten Asthma-Improving Foods

Studies estimate that 1 in 12 Americans suffers from asthma. Although changing your diet will not cure your asthma, many patients have found that simply changing what they eat does have a positive impact on the number and severity of asthma attacks. Here are some tips on what foods will help improve your asthma.

Remember, there are also certain foods asthmatics should try to avoid: eggs, dairy products, omega-6 fatty acids (found in processed and fried foods), and excessive salt.

Before you make any drastic dietary changes, consult a doctor or nutritionist to ensure you’re eating a balanced, healthy diet and that your new food choices won’t negatively react with any medications you’re taking.

Ten foods to improve asthma:

1. Bananas: Rich in vitamin B6, which can drastically reduce the intensity and frequency of asthma attacks, bananas are essential to any asthma-sufferer’s diet.

2. Broccoli: With high levels of quercetin, a strong natural antihistamine, broccoli also has anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Rosemary: Rosemary is high in rosmarinic acid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which can help alleviate asthmatic symptoms.

4. Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory effects.

5. Spinach: Spinach contains a high amount of beta-carotene which combats free radicals that cause airway contractions.

6. Beans: Loaded with magnesium which scientists have linked to a decrease of wheezing in asthmatics.

7. Oranges: Vitamins C and E found in oranges and other citrus fruits help reduce histamine release and speed the breakdown of histamine in the body.

8. Red wine: Another excellent source of quercetin, a strong anti-oxidant, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.

9. Carrots: The beta-carotene in carrots helps ease airway contractions.

10. Peppermint: As a tea, peppermint is used to help ease ailments from the common cold to digestion problems. That’s because peppermint contains rosmarinic acid, anti-inflammatory which can keep air passages open.

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Work on Feeling Good Without Working

When Social Security Disability benefits replace the income you had from a job, stop and assess how you feel about not working. While you continue to provide for your family in a different way, you may still feel dissatisfied about life without a job.

A lot of us determine our self-worth by our ability to take care of our families through the work we do. When a disability comes along and you can’t work, you may begin to feel down because you think you’re no longer able to provide for others.

Working isn’t the only way to provide for your family. Filing for and getting Social Security Disability benefits could also give you a monthly income that financially supports your family.

Work satisfaction comes in many forms: From doing a good job, from public recognition or praise from the boss, from being depended on for answers, from the camaraderie of the workplace itself.

You can still seek out this type of gratification in other areas of your life while on Social Security Disability benefits. Here are a few ideas on how to apply your expertise and life experience to get personal gratification in return.

Help those you know
Do you have a student in your household or extended family who could benefit from your advice or tutoring? What about a friend or family member with a small business who can benefit from your experience? You don’t have to do these types of activities often for them to be of great value to others. Being appreciated for the help you’re giving can be just as rewarding as traditional workplace recognition.

Volunteer in the community
Volunteer opportunities are often set up for people who can only do tasks for a few hours a week. Volunteering experiences vary from churches to hospitals to museums – and the environment may be similar to what your job was. Typically you’ll be able to put in as much time as you can handle, and you’ll often find it’s as rewarding as your paid position.

Organizational work
Join clubs or organizations that line up with your interests. After a while, you’ll learn how the group is run and you may consider taking a leadership role. Groups are usually run by an elected or appointed board, and typically the workload for board members is just a few hours a month. This type of work is similar to volunteering, and the work is very much like working in a business. Your participation in the organization as a member, in addition to your leadership position within the group, can be a rewarding experience.

Know your limitations
Your work was a constant element and large part of your life, and although you can no longer work, or even do full time work substitutes, you can do other things within your limitations. You can still find the good feelings, gratification, and sense of accomplishment you got from work through alternate activities. And when you regularly schedule these activities you’re your life, you’ll find a new way to feel valued, driven, and happy.

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Good News for 2014 COLA

We have good news to share with Social Security Disability beneficiaries. The government recently announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2014, which will give most SSD beneficiaries a raise. The COLA is computed using a formula that looks at year over year increases in the Consumer Price Index. A 2014 COLA increase is good news following no increase in 2011, and only a modest increase in 2012.

2014 COLA

For 2014 the COLA will be a 1.5% raise for disabled workers & SSI recipients which follows the 1.7% increase last year (2013 COLA.) For disabled workers the average monthly payment will increase by $17 to $1,148 in 2014 compared to $1,131 this year. For individuals on SSI the federal standard monthly SSI payment will increase by $11 to $721 in 2013 compared to $710 this year.

Although the increase isn’t a huge amount of money it’s important that the disabled, who live on a fixed income, get a fair monthly increase when warranted. COLA increases are set to allow SSD beneficiaries to continue to have the same purchasing power over time, by adjusting monthly checks for inflation once a year.

Show Support For The Disability Program

The Social Security Disability program continues to receive attention in the media. A recent report from the television show ‘60 Minutes’ is one of many reports that cast a very negative light on the disability program. This report focused on the negative, and did not interview a single disabled person to learn more about how the program really helps American workers.

We know from recent surveys that about 80% of Americans support the disability program. But we should not take it for granted that such support for the program will remain if the media continues to cast the program as wasteful or inefficient.

If you have time this holiday season to give thanks for your many blessings you may consider showing support for the disability program. You could write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or to your Congress person, in support of the SSD program. Disability benefits bring a life with dignity back to millions of Americans each year, it’s important that the people on disability who are getting help have their voices heard too.

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