Fibromyalgia is a condition that is characterized by chronic body pain. It is often a misunderstood condition that can have a serous impact on a person’s life. There are some triggers that seem to contribute to a stronger risk of fibromyalgia. For instance, stress and anxiety are strongly linked with the condition.
The person may also be constantly fatigued, and parts of the body may be very tender to touch. Any kind of stress associated with a physical or emotional cause can trigger fibromyalgia. Injuries suffered in an accident, for instance, or the kind of anxiety brought about by a life change like a divorce or death of a close one, are also associated with the condition. Workplace or occupational injuries can also trigger the condition.
Apart from these, there are very few risk factors that are associated with fibromyalgia, although women seem to be much more susceptible to fibromyalgia than men. Diagnosis of the condition is often delayed because of the failure by medical research to identify any strong and clear-cut cause of fibromyalgia.
The condition recently received international attention, when entertainer Lady Gaga postponed part of her world tour a few months ago because of a flare-up of her symptoms of fibromyalgia.
What can fibromyalgia patients do to manage their symptoms?
Doctors suggest that a healthy lifestyle is key. Take a well-balanced diet, including all of the major nutritious food groups, exercise regularly, and make sure you get adequate sleep. Overall, remaining physically active could help reduce the intensity of your symptoms.
Social Security Disability Benefits for Fibromyalgia
Applying for Social Security disability benefits for fibromyalgia is never easy. Symptoms can often seem similar to and overlap with symptoms of similar conditions. Moreover, Social Security judges are much more likely to scrutinize a claim for disability benefits for fibromyalgia even more closely, because of the belief that these cases are over diagnosed by family physicians.
Overall, your claim has a much higher chance of a quick and expedited approval if you have evidence to bolster your claim in the form of diagnostic test reports, MRI scans etc. That kind of evidence is challenging to procure in the case of a fibromyalgia diagnosis. In such cases, you may have to provide extensive treatment summaries from your rheumatologist, and medical evidence showing that you have been consistent with the treatment that has been recommended for you.
If you suffer from fibromyalgia, speak with Atlanta Social Security disability benefits attorney Lisa Siegel for advice about filing a claim.