Your stomach stores, mixes and digests the food that you eat. It also functions to protect you from infectious organisms that you may have ingested.

When food comes into your stomach from your esophagus, gastric juices are used to break down the food. Food then passes through the other end of your stomach and empties into your duodenum.

Your duodenum is the first part of your small intestine. Your duodenum is a muscular hollow tube that connects your stomach to your jejunum, which is the second section of your small intestine.

Chyme is what partially digested food is called. Chyme goes from your stomach through your pyloric sphincter (a valve, strong ring of muscle) to your duodenum by a process that is called peristalsis (radially symmetrical contraction of muscles).

Your duodenum carries on the work of digesting your food that was started in your stomach. Your duodenum does this by using bile and pancreatic juice that are secreted into it through ducts. After digestion has taken place, nutrients are then absorbed into your body in your duodenum.

Gastroduodenitis is a condition that is characterized by inflammation or irritation of the mucous membrane (inner lining) of your stomach and duodenum. Gastroduodenitis does not usually take place by itself. This condition usually occurs with other disorders of your abdomen, such as gastritis, hepatitis or dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is abdominal pain that takes place after you have eaten.

Gastroduodenitis may either be an acute or chronic condition. Acute gastroduodenitis is when the condition is short-term. Chronic gastroduodenitis is when the condition is long-lasting, ongoing over an extended period of time. If you are suffering from chronic gastroduodenitis, you may be eligible to receive social security disability benefits, such as SSDI or SSI. You would be wise to get in touch with one of the social security attorneys at socialsecurityhome.com to explore the disability options that you have available to you.

One of the primary things that results in gastroduodenitis is a stomach infection with bacteria that are referred to as Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori. Another thing that leads to gastroduodenitis is an adverse reaction to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as indomethacin, ibuprofen or ketoprofin. Gastroduodenitis has also been connected to some other medical ailments. Some of these are:

Ÿ  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Ÿ  Viral infections like hepatitis

Ÿ  Inflammation of the lining of your stomach (gastritis)

Ÿ  Low blood flow to your intestines (ischemic bowel disease)

Ÿ  Abdominal pain after you have finished eating (dyspepsia)

Ÿ  Gastrointestinal hemorrhage

Ÿ  Crohn’s disease

Ÿ  Inflammation of your gall bladder (cholecystitis)

Ÿ  Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

There are several signs and symptoms that you may experience with gastroduodenitis. Some of these include:

Ÿ  Bloating

Ÿ  Vomiting

Ÿ  Chest pain

Ÿ  Diarrhea

Ÿ  Malaena (a black, tarry stool)

Ÿ  Dizziness

Ÿ  Hematemesis (vomiting blood)

Ÿ  Abdominal pain

Ÿ  Indigestion

Related articles

• Pain in Peptic Ulcers (Stomach, Duodenum) (healthhype.com)
• Urethritis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits (socialsecurityhome.com)

Necrotizing fasciitis is known by other names. It is also commonly called flesh-eating disease, necrotizing soft tissue infection, flesh-eating bacteria syndrome or flesh-eating bacteria. When this disease develops on your genitals it is called Fournier’s gangrene.

Necrotizing fasciitis is an extremely rare but serious disease. Around 1 out of every 4 people who get this disease die from it. Many of the people who get this disease are in good health before they get this infection.

There are three types of necrotizing fasciitis. Type I is called polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis. It usually develops after trauma or surgery. Type II is called group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis. This is the so-called flesh-eating bacterial infection. Type III necrotizing fasciitis, or clostridial myonecrosis, is gas gangrene. This is a skeletal muscle infection that may result from recent trauma or surgery.

Necrotizing fasciitis is caused by one or more multiplying bacterial species that are aggressive. Most of the time it is group A streptococcus. This disease usually develops in people who have a severe injury or an underlying condition.

Many times, the signs and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis begin suddenly. These signs and symptoms include:

• Skin that is swollen, red and hot when you touch it
• Pain from an injury that improves for the first 24 to 36 hours but then suddenly gets worse
• Pain that may be much greater than what you would expect based on the size of your injury or wound
• Diarrhea
• Chills and fever
• Vomiting and nausea
• Shock
• Organ failure.

You or a loved one may have survived necrotizing fasciitis. However, complications that have resulted from necrotizing fasciitis and/or an underlying condition along with this disease may have brought about your disability and being unable to work.

You may need assistance if this is your situation. You may need financial help.

You or your loved one may have decided to apply for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of complications that have resulted from necrotizing fasciitis and/or an underlying condition along with this disease. You or your loved one may have already tried this option, and your application was denied by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one is intending to reapply or appeal the denial, here is a very important fact that you need to remember. The fact of the matter is that people who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer in their corner.

Ludwig’s angina is also known as angina ludovici. This infection is named after the German physician, Wilhelm Frederick von Ludwig who first described this condition in 1836.

Ludwig’s angina should not be confused with angina pectoris that is commonly referred to as “angina”. “Angina” is a word that comes from the Greek word ankhon, meaning, “strangling”.

Ludwig’s angina refers to the feeling of strangling, not the feeling of chest pain. However, it is possible for chest pain to occur in Ludwig’s angina if the infection spreads into your retrosternal space.

Ludwig’s angina is usually caused by a bacterial infection, like streptococci or staphylococci. There are also other bacteria that can cause this infection.

Ludwig’s angina seems to occur more frequently in people with a condition of lowered immunity, but it can take place in healthy individuals also. With the coming of antibiotics, Ludwig’s angina has become a rare disease.

There are several ways that you may be affected by Ludwig’s angina. Some of these are:

• Pain, swelling and raising of your tongue
• Swelling of the tissues of your submandibular and sublingual spaces
• Swelling of your neck
• Malaise (general feeling of sickness or weakness)
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Fever
• In severe cases, difficulty in breathing.

Important effects to look for with Ludwig’s angina include when you are not being able to swallow your own saliva and the presence of audible difficulty in breathing.

Ludwig’s angina is not normally a condition that will disable you and cause you to be unable to work. However, if you have other conditions along with Ludwig’s angina or you have complications that have resulted from it; you may be disabled.

If this is the case for you or a loved one, you may need help. You may need financial help.

Who will be able to give you the financial assistance that you or your loved one needs? Where will that help come from?

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by complications along with or resulting from Ludwig’s angina? Were you or your loved one denied?

You or your loved one may be thinking about appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, here is something to remember. People who are represented by a disability attorney are approved more often than those people without a lawyer.

This is something that could affect you or your loved one for the rest of your life. Do not delay. Contact us today so we can help you find a disability lawyer near you.

Lyme disease, which is sometimes referred to as Lyme infection, is a bacterial illness. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of deer ticks (Ixodes ticks) carrying a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme disease was first described in Europe almost 100 years ago. It occurs most frequently in the northeastern part of the United States, with about half of all cases coming from New York and Connecticut. The disease has also been reported in the Mid-Atlantic, North Central and Pacific coastal regions of the United States.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is usually found in animals like mice and deer. It is then carried to people from these animals by Ixodes ticks (known as black-legged or deer ticks). These ticks pick up Borrelia burgdorferi when they bite these infected animals. They then infect humans by biting them and passing the bacteria into the person’s bloodstream.

The effects of Lyme disease can affect different systems in your body. These include your joints, skin, nervous system and heart. Often, these effects are described as happening in three stages, but not everyone experiences all of these stages.

Stage one usually begins with the first sign of infection being a circular rash. This rash appears within 1–2 weeks of infection, but it can develop up to 30 days after your tick bite. The rash usually has a characteristic “bull’s-eye” appearance, with a central red spot surrounded by clear skin that is ringed by an expanding red rash. This rash may also appear as an expanding ring of solid redness.

It is usually not itchy or painful and may be warm to the touch. Although this rash is considered characteristic of Lyme disease, many people never develop it.

The second stage of Lyme disease usually involves flu-like symptoms of fatigue, headaches, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches. These signs and symptoms usually appear within several weeks after the tick bite.

The last stage of Lyme disease usually occurs if the disease was not detected early with appropriate treatment. These symptoms include arthritis and cognitive deterioration.

Lyme disease can cause disability. You may be disabled and in need of financial assistance because of this illness and/or complications that have resulted from it.

Have you applied for financial help from the Social Security Administration for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by Lyme disease and/or complications resulting from it? Were you denied?

You may plan on appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, remember this.

You may need the counsel of a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com in what can be a difficult process. The reason for this is because people who are represented by a disability lawyer are approved more often than those people who do not have an attorney.

Spinal meningitis is the common laymen’s term for meningitis. It is also called meningococcal disease. Actually, all meningitis involves your spinal cord.

Spinal meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover your brain and spinal cord. It is an infection of the cerebrospinal fluid around your brain and spinal cord.

There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis. This is also known as aseptic meningitis. You get this when a virus enters your body through your mouth or nose and travels to your brain.

Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be deadly. It has a high mortality rate if it goes untreated. There can also be ongoing, serious complications like brain damage and paralysis.

Fungal meningitis is much less common than the other two forms. A fungus called cryptococcus, found in pigeon droppings, usually causes it. Fungus-related meningitis is rare in healthy people. However, someone who has a weakened immune system like a person with AIDS is more likely to become infected with this form of meningitis.

Spinal meningitis used to occur mainly in infants. However, because a vaccine is now given to infants, this infection now happens usually to adults. Spinal meningitis can happen to anyone at any age, but it is more common in people whose bodies have trouble fighting infection.

Even though there are several types of spinal meningitis, the signs and symptoms are similar. The most common signs and symptoms in teens and young adults are:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Fever and chills
• A painful and stiff neck, especially when you try and touch your chin to your chest
• Seizures
• Trouble staying awake
• Sensitivity to light.

Babies, children, older adults and people with other medical problems may experience different symptoms like:

• Babies may refuse to eat and be cranky. They may cry when they are held. They also may have a rash.
• Young children may act like they have the flu. They may cough or have trouble breathing.
• People with other medical problems and older adults may only have fever and a slight headache.

You or a loved one may have had spinal meningitis. Complications from spinal meningitis may be why you are disabled and unable to work.

You may need help. You may need financial help.

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by complications resulting from spinal meningitis? Were you denied?

You may appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, remember this.

You will need a disability lawyer like the one at socialsecurityhome.com to represent you in this process. This is true because people who are represented by a disability attorney are approved more often than those people who are not represented by a lawyer.

Infective endocarditis, which is sometimes called bacterial endocarditis strikes somewhere between 10,000 –20,000 people in the United States each year. Although endocarditis is not a common disease, it is important because even with antimicrobial therapy it can lead to the need for open heart surgery, stroke or even death.

Endocarditis is known by some other names besides the two just mentioned. It is also called rheumatic endocarditis, acute endocarditis, valvular endocarditis and mural endocarditis.

There are also several types of endocarditis. These range all the way from acute forms that appear suddenly to subacute forms that develop gradually over a period of time.

The effects that you may experience with endocarditis vary according to the cause of the infection and the type of the disease. Some of the ways that you may be affected by endocarditis are:

• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Fever
• Chills
• Chest or back pain
• Joint or arthritis pain
• A persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tiny, purplish-red pinpoint spots of bleeding under your skin (petechiae)
• Headaches
• Painless, bumpy nodules on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet.
• Dark red lines of bleeding under your nails (splinter hemorrhages)
• Tender spots under the skin on the pads of your fingers (Oster’s nodes).

There are other clinical effects caused by endocarditis that will have to be confirmed by your doctor. Some of these are:

• An enlarged spleen
• Stroke
• A change in the quality of an existing heart murmur or a new heart murmur
• Embolisms caused by clumps of blood cells and infectious fungi or bacteria.

Endocarditis and problems along with or resulting from it may be causing you or a loved one’s disability. This disease may be why you or your loved one cannot work and needs financial assistance.

Who can you turn to for the financial help that you need? Where will this assistance come from?

Have you or your loved one applied for financial help from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by endocarditis and problems resulting from or along with this disease? Were you or your loved one denied?

If you or your loved one is planning on appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration, here is something that you need to remember. People who are represented and assisted by a skilled disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than those people who do not have a lawyer.

Do not wait. Do not put this off. Contact the trustworthy disability attorney at socialsecurityhome.com, today.