November is National Diabetes Awareness Month
Posted November 9, 2018 by Premier Disability Services, LLC®November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated globally on November 14 to raise awareness about both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes[1].
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It happens when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to process glucose. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.
Symptoms of both diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2 include frequent urination, unusual thirst and hunger, and extreme fatigue. People with type 2 diabetes also can suffer from tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, frequent infections, and cuts that are slow to heal.
Complications from diabetes can include:
- nephropathy (kidney disease);
- neuropathy (nerve damage) in feet or hands that disrupts your ability to stand, walk, or use your hands;
- retinopathy (eye and vision problems);
- cellulitis and other skin infections;
- hypertension (high blood pressure);
- heart disease;
- stroke;
- gastroparesis (a type of nerve damage that interferes with digestion);
- peripheral arterial disease (reduced blood flow to your limbs); and
- depression.
If you have uncontrolled diabetes and you have been prevented from working for at least 12 months, or you expect that you won’t be able to work for at least 12 months, then you may be eligible for Social Security disability (SSDI/SSD) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will look for information that shows how well you can use your arms and hands, stand, and walk. The SSA is also interested in whether you can focus on tasks, get along with others, and come to work on a regular basis. For instance, if you have poor control over your glucose levels during the day, the SSA might find that you are unable to concentrate for long periods of time. Similarly, if you have neuropathy in your legs from your diabetes, you might be unable to stand and walk for long periods of time.
If you or someone you know is unable to work due to a medical condition(s), please contact us for a free evaluation of your case!
[1] https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/NovemberToolkit.aspx
By: Tom Klint of Premier Disability Services, LLC®
