benefits

Published on: November 30, 2017

Study Finds Over-Exercising Linked to Cardiac Problems

Exercise is an absolute must for good health, but overdoing exercise, especially for some members of the population, could cause an increase in the risk of cardiac disease.

According to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, white men who over-exercise have a risk of heart disease that is almost twice as high as those who exercise in moderation. Researchers studied more than 3,000 participants over a five-year period, and found that white men who exercised for approximately 7 ½ hours per week were more likely to report symptoms of cardiac disease, including clogging of the arteries. White men were 86% more likely to suffer from symptoms of coronary artery calcification over time as compared to black males.

This should not, however, be taken to mean that you should stop exercising. Exercise in moderation is key to a healthy lifestyle.

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Published on: November 6, 2017

Asthma May be Especially Disabling for Older Population

By Lisa Siegel

Roughly 9% of all senior citizens in the United States suffer from asthma. As the numbers of people above the age of 65 with this condition increase, doctors are warning of a spike in the number of seniors who will find it difficult to function as a result of asthmatic symptoms.

Asthma can cause breathing difficulties in all patients, but in patients above the age of 65, the symptoms may be even more pronounced. That is due to a number of reasons.

Seniors often suffer from a number of age-related conditions that cause symptoms to exacerbate. Those conditions can include weaker lungs and rigid chest walls that make breathing even more difficult during an attack.

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Published on: October 18, 2016

Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits for Coronary Artery Disease?

By Lisa Siegel

Different types of heart conditions may make a person eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program. However, merely being diagnosed with a heart condition does not necessarily qualify a person for benefits.

Take, for instance, the case of coronary artery disease. This is a condition in which there is a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. It can be very serious because the arteries are responsible for supplying blood to your heart muscles. Coronary artery disease can result in a heart attack when the arteries are severely blocked, cutting off the supply of oxygen to the heart muscles.

In order to qualify for benefits for coronary artery disease, you must prove that you suffer from the symptoms that are contained in the listing for myocardial ischemia. These include severe chest discomfort during exertion, or shortness of breath.

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Published on: October 11, 2016

Criteria for Social Security Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss

By Lisa Siegel

The Social Security Administration (SSA) makes it possible for persons with hearing loss to qualify for benefits. However, the level of hearing loss must be severe or profound. Mild or moderate hearing loss typically does not qualify for benefits.

If your hearing loss has not resulted in you getting a cochlear implant, you must undergo either an audiometry test or a word recognition test to determine if you qualify for benefits. The autometry test must prove that your hearing threshold is worse than or equal to 90 decibels (dB). In the word recognition test, your score must be a maximum of 40% in the better ear. These tests must be conducted without the use of hearing aids.

If, however, you have cochlear implants in either one or both ears, you will automatically qualify for disability benefits. These benefits will last for up to one year after the initial determination. If your word recognition score continues to remain below or at 60%, your benefits will be extended beyond that period of time.

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Published on: June 14, 2016

New Study Establishes Link between Cell Phone Use and Cancer

By Lisa Siegel

Several studies have earlier pointed to a possible association between high frequency cell phone use and an enhanced risk of developing cancer. A new study has taken a look at the issue and indicates that there is a connection.

The study was conducted over a two and half year period by the National Toxicology Program, and seems to strongly link frequent cell phone use with certain types of cancer. According the study, male rats that were exposed to radiation were more likely to develop brain cancer as compared to rats that were not exposed to the radiation. They also had a much higher risk of developing a rare tumor of the heart.

The concerning part is that the level of radiation exposure that the rats were given as part of the study is very similar to the level of exposure associated with cell phone use. While other studies have also pointed to an association between cell phone use and cancer in the past, this study has been taken particularly seriously because the National Toxicology Program has a stellar reputation for accuracy, especially with respect to animal bioassays. It should be noted that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration says there is “no evidence linking cell phone use with the risk of brain tumors” on its website.

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Published on: July 25, 2015

Gastroparesis Diagnosis and Social Security Disability Eligibility?

By Lisa Siegel

Gastroparesis is a condition in which the muscles of the stomach wall have become too weakened to contract and force the food from the stomach into the small intestine. Therefore, the stomach does not empty properly. Gastroparesis can be caused by diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, certain medications or drug use, and sometimes the cause is unknown.

Similarly, there is a wide range of adverse effects on patients. Some patients experience nausea and vomiting, some develop bacterial infections from the undigested food, and some can develop blockages from food that cannot move to the small intestine. Additionally, the symptoms can range from mild to severe, varying wildly from day to day. There is no cure, but doctors can prescribe medication to help patients manage their lives.

Medical Eligibility for Gastroparesis

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Published on: February 11, 2015

Drug Studies Show Hope for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

By Lisa Siegel

Researchers working on a treatment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have reported progress. According to the teams from New York’s Rockefeller University and the University of California-Riverside, they have both used Indazole Chloride to successfully reverse the symptoms of MS. The studies were conducted in mice, and they found that the drug triggered regeneration of the protective coating of the nerve, or myelin sheath, that is typically destroyed when MS sets in.

Multiple Sclerosis is a condition in which a person may suffer from a steady and progressive breakdown of the nervous system, including the senses of hearing and vision, and motor control. As the disease progresses, the person may suffer from problems walking, difficulty with coordination, numb sensations in the arms or legs, muscular weakness, vision problems, hearing loss, loss of balance, and speech problems. Often times, a person with MS may suffer from complete and permanent paralysis.

MS is a disease that affects the body’s immune system and it’s estimated that, in the United States alone. more than 40,000 people suffer this debilitating disease.

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Published on: October 24, 2014

Colostomy and Social Security Disability Benefits

By Lisa Siegel

Colostomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to treat numerous gastrointestinal conditions and injuries, as well as certain types of cancer. During this procedure, one end of the large intestine is brought out through the abdominal wall. Stools are emptied into a bag that is attached to the abdomen.

Sometimes referred to as bowel diversion therapy, colostomies are typically performed when the person is suffering from problems with the lower bowel. Permanent colostomies are very often performed in the case of colon cancer. Colostomy may also be performed when a person suffers from ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, colonic polyps, irritable bowel syndrome, and colorectal cancer.

If you have suffered from any of these conditions, and have undergone a colostomy, it’s recommended that you discuss a potential claim for disability benefits with a Social Security lawyer in Atlanta. The Social Security Administration will consider whether you are unable to work and earn a living as a result of your condition. For instance, if you are unable to lift heavy objects as a result of the surgery, and this condition is likely to be permanent, the SSA may rule that you are unable to go back to a job which did involve lifting heavy objects.

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