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Posts Tagged ‘United States’

Cystinuria and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Cystinuria is an inherited metabolic disease. A metabolic disease is one in which your internal body chemistry that causes your body’s metabolism does not work like it should. You may have too much of some substances and not enough of other substances that you require to stay healthy.

Cystinuria is a disease that is evidenced by the accumulation of cystine stones or crystals in your bladder or kidneys. Cystine is an amino acid, which is one of the building blocks of proteins. Cystine is usually absorbed back into your blood stream as your kidneys filter blood to create urine. Cystine is not reabsorbed into your bloodstream like it should be when you have cystinuria.

Excess cystine forms crystals as your urine becomes more concentrated in your kidneys. The crystals form stones in your bladder or kidneys as they increase in size. These crystals and stones may reduce the ability of your kidneys to eliminate waste through urine and create blockages in your urinary tract. These stones may also be the site of where bacteria can cause infections.

Cystinuria affects around 1 in 10,000 people. Cystine stones occur most often in young adults who are under the age of 40. Men are more severely affected by cystinuria than women.

There are several different signs and symptoms that you may have with cystinuria. However, the sign or symptom that will be most noticeable is pain in your back or side or flank pain. This pain may:

  • Often be severe
  • Be felt also in your genitals, groin, pelvis or between your back and upper abdomen
  • Occur usually on one side, rarely on both sides
  • Get increasingly worse over a period of days.

Other signs and symptoms of cystinuria include:

  • Excess protein in your urine
  • Blood in your urine
  • Excess amino acids in your urine
  • Kidney stones
  • Malabsorption
  • Small stature.

You or a loved one may have cystinuria. Cystinuria and/or complications resulting from it or other conditions that you have along with this disease may have led to the disability of you or your loved one. It may be preventing you from working.

If this is the case, you may need assistance. 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 the disability caused by cystinuria and/or complications resulting from it or other conditions that you have along with this disease. You or your loved one may have already tried this option, and your claim was turned down by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one intends to reapply or appeal the denial, here is something important for you to carefully consider. The fact of the matter is that people who are represented by a disability attorney are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer in their corner.

Please do not wait or put this off. Contact the disability attorney at Social Security Home, today.

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Posted in Digestive, Social Security Disability | No Comments »

Diabetic Hyperosmolar Syndrome and Receiving Social Security Disability

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
Insulin vial.
Image via Wikipedia

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions and millions of people in America. It is estimated that there are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the world’s population, who have diabetes. Of this number, 14.6 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes; however, 6.2 million people (nearly one-third) do not know that they have the disease.

Diabetes is really a set of related diseases in which your body cannot regulate the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood. Glucose in your blood is what gives you the energy to do the physical activities of daily life. The glucose level in your blood is regulated by several hormones, one of which is insulin. People with diabetes either cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly, or both.

There are different types of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is what most Americans are diagnosed with. It is a type of diabetes is which your body fails to properly use the insulin that is produced by your body. Type 1 diabetes is when your body fails to produce insulin.

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome is a serious condition that happens most often in older adults. It is a complication of either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, it occurs most often in people with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome is when your blood sugar level is over 600 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 33 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). At this level your blood becomes thick and syrupy. Excess sugar goes from your blood into your urine. This starts a filtering process that draws huge amounts of fluid out of your body.

Diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome can take days or even weeks to develop. There are several possible signs and symptoms that may be an indication of it occurring. These include:

  • High blood sugar level
  • Warm, dry skin without sweating
  • Confusion
  • Vision loss
  • Dry mouth
  • Hallucinations
  • Weakness on one side of your body
  • Excessive thirst
  • Sleepiness
  • Convulsions
  • Coma
  • Fever
  • Increased urination.

You or a loved one may have had diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. Complications resulting from this condition may have caused you or your loved one to be disabled.

You or your loved one may need assistance if this is the case. 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 the disability caused by complications resulting from diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome. Have you or your loved one already applied and been turned down by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one intends to reapply or appeal the denial, here is something important that you need to seriously consider. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer in their corner.

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Posted in Endocrine, Social Security Disability | No Comments »

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Receiving Social Security Disability

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Connective tissue disease refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders. Some of these conditions are inherited, and some are acquired.

A connective tissue disease is any disease that has the connective tissues of your body as a primary target. Your connective tissues are the structural portions of your body. They essentially hold the cells of your body together. These connective tissues form a matrix, or framework, for your body.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited conditions that affect your connective tissues. Primarily, it affects your joints, blood vessel walls and skin.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is marked by genetic defects (mutations) disrupting the production of collagen. Collagen is one of the main components of connective tissue.

Several types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have been identified with different signs and symptoms. However, all types of this syndrome affect your joints, and most of them affect your skin.

Classical type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which used to be known as types I and II, affects about 1 in 10,000 to 20,000 people in the United States. Some of its signs and symptoms are:

  • Muscle pain and fatigue
  • Fragile skin that tears or bruises easily
  • Poor and slow wound healing that results in wide scarring
  • Loose joints
  • Heart valve problems (aortic root dilation and mitral valve prolapse)
  • Highly elastic, velvety skin
  • Noncancerous fibrous growths on pressure areas of your body like your knees and elbows
  • Redundant skin folds in places like your eyelids
  • Fatty growths on your forearms and shins.

Hypermobility type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which used to be known as type III, affects about 1 in 10,000 to 15,000 people in the United States. Signs and symptoms of this type include:

  • Chronic degenerative joint disease
  • Bruising easily
  • Unstable, loose joints with many dislocations
  • Advanced premature osteoarthritis that involves chronic pain
  • Heart valve problems, as mentioned with classic type
  • Muscle pain and fatigue.

Vascular type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which used to be called type IV, affects about 1 in 100,000 to 200,000 people in this country. It is rare, but it is one of the most serious types of EDS. Signs and symptoms include:

  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
  • Heart valve problems
  • Fragile blood vessels and organs that are prone to rupture (tearing)
  • A characteristic facial appearance that includes sunken cheeks, thin lips and nose, small chin and protruding eyes
  • Thin, translucent skin that bruises easily.

There are other types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, but they are extremely rare.

You or a loved one may have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. EDS and/or complications resulting from it may be why you are disabled and in need of financial help.

You or your loved one may have applied for financial assistance from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and/or complications resulting from it. Were you or your loved one denied?

If you or your loved one reapplies or appeals the denial, consider this. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the ones you can find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer.

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Posted in Connective Tissue Diseases, Impairments that Affect Multiple Body Systems, Musculoskeletal, Skin, Social Security Disability | No Comments »

Erythema Multiforme and Receiving Social Security Disability

Monday, January 24th, 2011
Erythema Multiforme on the legs of a 3 yr old
Image via Wikipedia

Your skin is the outer covering of your body. It is the largest organ of your body. Your skin is part of your integumentary system. This is the organ system that protects your body from damage.

Your skin is composed of three layers. Each layer plays an important role. The outer layer of your skin is called the epidermis. It is the layer that you can see. New skin cells form at the bottom of your epidermis. The next layer of your skin is the dermis. It contains tiny blood vessels that keep your skin healthy by removing waste and bringing them the nutrients and oxygen that they need. The third layer of your skin is subcutaneous fat. It absorbs shocks and helps your body stay warm.

Erythema multiforme (EM) is the name that is given to a group of hypersensitivity medical disorders. It is marked by symmetric red, patchy lesions. These occur mostly on your legs and arms.

Erythema multiforme is a relatively common skin disorder. Although it can affect anyone at any time, erythema multiforme is most common in children and young adults. It is slightly more common in males than females.

Erythema multiforme is known by other names. It is also referred to as dermatostomatitis, erythema multiforme type, erythema multiforme bullosum, febrile mucocutaneous syndrome, herpes iris, erythema multiforme type and erythema polymorphe, erythema multiforme type.

There are several signs and symptoms that you may have with erythema multiforme. The primary indication is multiple skin lesions that:

  • May involve your lips or face
  • May appear as a macule, nodule or papule
  • Are usually symmetrical
  • Start quickly and may come back
  • Are located on your feet, hands, legs, arms, palms or upper body
  • May spread
  • May have blisters and vesicles of various sizes
  • Have a central lesion that is surrounded by pale red rings. This central lesion is also referred to as a target, bulls-eye or iris.

Other signs and symptoms that may occur include:

  • Aching in your joints
  • Discharge, burning and itchy of your eyes
  • Malaise (general sick feeling)
  • Dry eyes
  • Fever
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Skin itching
  • Vision abnormalities
  • Sores in your mouth
  • Your eyes hurting.

You or a loved one may have erythema multiforme. This disorder and/or complications resulting from or the underlying condition that has caused it may have resulted in your disability and need for financial assistance.

You or your loved one may have 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 erythema multiforme and/or complications resulting from or the underlying condition that has caused it. Were you or your loved one turned down by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one reapplies or appeals the denial, consider this. People who have a disability lawyer working for them like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

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Bronchiectasis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Friday, January 14th, 2011
Enlarged view of lung tissue showing the diffe...
Image via Wikipedia

Bronchiectasis is a disease that is marked by damage to the walls of your bronchial tubes (large airways) of your lungs. Inflammation that results from infection or other causes destroys the smooth muscles that enable your bronchial tubes to be elastic, and it prevents secretions from being cleared that are normally produced by your lung tissue.

The walls of your airways become irregularly shaped. Secretions begin to pool in your distorted airways instead of being expelled. This results in a breeding ground for the growth of bacteria. These bacteria then cause more secretions, airway damage and additional inflammation and irritation. This leads to a vicious cycle of damage.

Bronchiectasis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), along with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. You may have bronchiectasis by itself, but usually more than one of the forms of COPD is present along with this disease.

Bronchiectasis is classified in two ways. If you are born with this condition, it is called congenital bronchiectasis. If you develop this disease later in life, it is called acquired bronchiectasis.

Although bronchiectasis is not as well known as other respiratory conditions, it causes a great deal of disability. Bronchiectasis occurs in about 1 in 100,000 people in the United States. Bronchiectasis that is not related to cystic fibrosis is more common in women than in men.

Bronchiectasis is caused by recurrent infection or inflammation of your bronchial tubes. Many times, it starts in childhood as a complication of inhaling a foreign object or infection. About 50% of all the cases of bronchiectasis in the United States are caused by cystic fibrosis.

The signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis often start gradually. They may begin months or years after what precipitated the condition. Some of the signs and symptoms include:

  • Paleness
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath that increases with exercise
  • Bluish skin color
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Breath odor
  • Fatigue
  • A chronic cough with large amounts of foul-smelling sputum
  • A cough that gets worse when you are lying on one side
  • Clubbing of your fingers.

You or a loved one may have bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis and/or complications that have resulted from this disease or other conditions that are related to it may be the reason for your disability and need for financial help.

You or your loved one may plan on applying for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by bronchiectasis and/or complications that have resulted from this disease or other conditions that are related to it. You or your loved one may have already tried this option and been turned down by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one is thinking about reapplying or appealing the denial, consider this important fact. The truth is that people who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer working for them.

Please do not delay. Contact a disability attorney through Social Security Home, today.

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Posted in Respiratory, Social Security Disability | No Comments »

Bacterial Gastroenteritis and Receiving Social Security Disability

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Your stomach is a hollow crescent-shaped organ that is made-up of several strong, muscular layers. Your stomach lies and is protected under your rib cage. It is connected at one opening to your esophagus and at the other opening to your small intestine.

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.

Gastroenteritis is a disease that is evidenced by inflammation and irritation of your stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal tract). Gastroenteritis is also characterized by dehydration (your body not having enough water and fluids).

Bacterial gastroenteritis is gastroenteritis that is caused by bacteria. Each different bacterial organism that causes this disease may produce slightly varying signs and symptoms, but all are marked by diarrhea.

Bacterial gastroenteritis is referred to in other ways. It is also called acute gastroenteritis, gastroenteritis – bacterial and infectious diarrhea – bacterial gastroenteritis.

Bacterial gastroenteritis is a common health problem in the United States. Each year, about 1 in 1,000 people get this disease. This means that around 3 million people develop bacterial gastroenteritis each year in the United States.

There are several different types of bacteria that can cause bacterial gastroenteritis. Some of these are:

  • Shigella
  • Yersinia
  • Campylobacter jejuni
  • Staphylococcus
  • Salmonella
  • E. coli
  • Clostridium.

There are several possible sources of these bacteria. Some of these include:

  • Seafood
  • Improperly prepared food
  • Bakery products
  • Reheated meat dishes
  • Dairy products.

As mentioned earlier, each different bacterial organism may cause slightly different signs and symptoms. However, diarrhea is a common sign and symptom of bacterial gastroenteritis, regardless of which bacteria is causing it. Some of the possible signs and symptoms that you may experience include:

  • Bloody stools
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite.

You or a loved one may have had bacterial gastroenteritis. Complications that have resulted from bacterial gastroenteritis and/or an underlying condition that you have along with this disease may be the reason for your disability and why you cannot work.

You may need help if this is the case. You may need financial assistance.

You or your loved one may have decided to apply for the financial help 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 bacterial gastroenteritis and/or an underlying condition that you have along with this disease. You or your loved one may have already applied, and your claim was been denied by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one intends on reapplying or appealing the denial, here is something very important that you need to keep in mind. It is an established fact that people who have a disability lawyer in their corner like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

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Anaplastic Astrocytoma and Receiving Social Security Disability

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
Two images - one showing a normal PET scan, th...
Image via Wikipedia

A brain tumor is a growth or mass of abnormal cells in your brain. There are over 120 different kinds of tumors that can develop in your brain. Some of these growths are benign. Others are malignant. The tumors that start in your brain are referred to as primary brain tumors. If a malignancy begins in another area of your body and then spreads to your brain, it is called a metastatic or secondary brain tumor.

Anaplastic astrocytoma is an infiltrating, primary tumor. This means that it begins in your brain, rather that metastasizing (spreading) from some other part of your body to your brain.

Anaplastic astrocytoma has tentacles that may invade your surrounding tissue. This gives a butterfly-like pattern through the white matter of your cerebral hemispheres. Anaplastic astrocytoma may invade the dura (a membrane covering your brain), or it may spread by means of the spinal fluid through the ventricles of your brain. It is rare for an anaplastic astrocytoma to spread (metastasize) outside of your brain and spinal cord.

Anaplastic astrocytoma is marked by rapid growth. Many times, it spreads into areas of your brain that are nearby. Because of this, it is extremely difficult to remove all of the tumor, and it often comes back (recurs).

Anaplastic astrocytoma may begin as a grade III tumor, or it can be a recurrence of a lower-grade, grade II astrocytoma that has already been treated. Anaplastic astrocytoma accounts for about 4% of all primary brain tumors that are diagnosed in the United States.

Although anaplastic astrocytoma can develop at any age, it occurs most often in men and women who are in their 30s to 50s. Anaplastic astrocytoma is more common in men than in women.

The signs and symptoms of an anaplastic astrocytoma depend on where the tumor is located in your brain. Some of the common signs and symptoms include:

  • Personality or mental changes
  • Drowsiness
  • Headaches that are worse in the morning but get better through the day
  • Vision difficulties
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Seizures
  • Lethargy
  • Weakness and other motor dysfunction.

You or a loved one may have an anaplastic astrocytoma. Anaplastic astrocytoma and/or complications that have resulted from this condition may have led to your disability and not being able to work.

Your may need help if this is the case. You may need financial assistance.

You or your loved one may have decided to apply for the financial help that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by anaplastic astrocytoma and/or complications that have resulted from this condition. You or your loved one may have already taken this step and been turned down by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one intends on reapplying or appealing the denial, here is something important for you to think about. People who have a disability lawyer in their corner like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

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Brucellosis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010
Swine brucellosis in wild pigs
Image via Wikipedia

Brucellosis is a serious infectious disease. It comes from one of four different species of bacteria that are a part of the genus Brucella.

Brucellosis can be local, which means that it affects only a certain area of your body. However, what makes brucellosis dangerous is that it can have serious widespread complications that affect different organ systems in your body. This includes your central nervous system.

Brucellosis is usually an acute (short-term) disease. However, it can become chronic (long-term) with long lasting complications.

Brucellosis is known by several other names. It is also called Maltese fever, Neapolitan fever, Mediterranean fever, undulant fever, Crimean fever, Gibraltar fever, Bang’s disease, Cyprus fever, brucellemia, goat fever, brucelliasis, melitococcosis and rock fever.

Brucellosis affects hundreds of thousands of animals and people each year in Mediterranean countries and other areas of the world. Brucellosis is not common in the United States. There are about 100 to 200 cases that are reported each year.

Brucellosis is a disease that affects many different domestic and wild animals. There are at least six strains of bacteria that cause this disease in animals, but not all of these strains cause brucellosis in people. Brucellosis is spread from animals to people in three ways. They are:

  • Direct contact with infected animals through a cut or wound that you have
  • Eating raw dairy products that come from infected animals or eating undercooked or raw meat from an infected animal
  • Inhaling the brucella bacteria in the air.

The signs and symptoms of brucellosis may start anywhere from a matter of days to a few months after you have been infected with the brucella bacteria. There are several signs and symptoms that you may experience. Some of these are:

  • Muscle, back and joint pain
  • Weakness
  • An undulating fever (fever that rises and falls)
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Sweats.

The signs and symptoms of brucellosis may go away for weeks or months and then come back. If you have chronic brucellosis, signs and symptoms include arthritis, fatigue, fevers and spondylitis (an inflammatory arthritis that affects your spine and joints that are close by).

You or a loved one may have or have had brucellosis. Brucellosis and/or complications that have been caused by this disease may be responsible for you or your loved one’s disability and being unable to work.

You may need assistance if this is true. You may need financial help.

You or your loved one may be thinking about applying for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by brucellosis and/or complications that have been caused by this disease. You or your loved one may have already tried this option and been denied by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one is considering reapplying or appealing the denial, think about this. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer fighting for them.

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Posted in disability, Impairments that Affect Multiple Body Systems, Musculoskeletal, Social Security Disability | No Comments »

A Pheochromocytoma and Receiving Social Security Disability

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys.
Image via Wikipedia

Your adrenal glands are two triangular shaped glands that are located on top of your kidneys and are made up of two parts that work separately. The first part is your outer layer (cortex). The second part is your inner area (medulla).

Your adrenal glands make hormones that give instructions to practically all of the tissues and organs in your body. These hormones affect your ability to deal with stress, help to regulate your kidney function and impact your growth and development.

A pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that originates in the core (medulla) of your adrenal gland. Most of these tumors are benign (non-cancerous). However, some can be malignant (cancerous).

A pheochromocytoma causes your adrenal glands to produce too much of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones regulate your heart rate and blood pressure. In addition to regulating your heart rate and blood pressure, these hormones play a vital role in what is known as the “fight-or-flight response”. When too much of these hormones is produced, your heart rate and blood pressure can be elevated, which can lead to serious problems and conditions.

Fortunately, as mentioned above, a pheochromocytoma is rare. It affects about 1 to 2 people per 100,000 adults each year in the United States. A pheochromocytoma develops most often in people who are in their 40s and 50s. Men and women are affected equally by these tumors.

Researchers do not know the exact reason why cells inside of your adrenal glands form into a tumor. What is known is that a pheochromocytoma starts in special cells that are called chromaffin cells. These cells are located in the medulla or inner part of your adrenal glands. These are the cells that produce the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine.

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

  • Profound sweating
  • Nervousness
  • Palpitations
  • Abdominal pain
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Severe headaches that come on suddenly
  • Irritability
  • Feeling of extreme fright
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Forceful heartbeat
  • Hand tremor
  • Flushing
  • Increased appetite
  • Pale skin
  • Feeling of anxiety.

You or a loved one may have a pheochromocytoma. A pheochromocytoma and/or complications that have resulted from it may have brought about you or your loved one’s 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 be considering applying for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by a pheochromocytoma and/or complications that have resulted from it. You or your loved one may have already applied and been denied by the Social Security Administration.

If you or your loved one decides to reapply or appeal the denial, consider this. People who have a disability lawyer on their side like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who are not represented by a disability attorney.

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Posted in Cancer, Endocrine, Social Security Disability | No Comments »

Fibrous Dysplasia and Receiving Social Security Disability

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Fibrous dysplasia is a chronic (long-term) bone disease where a portion of bone develops abnormally. Fibrous (scar-like) tissue takes the place of normal bone. As your bone grows, this softer fibrous tissue expands. As it does so, your bone is weakened.

Fibrous dysplasia can cause your affected bone to become deformed. This makes it more likely to fracture (break).

Fibrous dysplasia begins before you are born. However, it may not be discovered until childhood, adolescence or adulthood.

Fibrous dysplasia is responsible for about 7% of all benign bone tumors. Although any bone in your body may be affected, this disease occurs most frequently in your skull, upper arm bone, pelvis, thighbone and shinbone.

Most of the time fibrous dysplasia only affects one bone. When it does so, it is referred to as monostotic fibrous dysplasia. Polystotic fibrous dysplasia is when this disease affects two or more of your bones. This can be two bones in the same limb or several bones throughout your skeleton.

Fibrous dysplasia affects men and women, equally. It also affects all races about the same.

Fibrous dysplasia is caused by a gene defect (mutation) that affects the cells that produce bone. However, no one knows what causes this gene defect. It is known that this disease is not inherited or passed on to the children of affected parents. There is also no known environmental or dietary cause of fibrous dysplasia.

Your doctor may suspect fibrous dysplasia from the signs and symptoms that you are experiencing. If so, your doctor will probably do a physical exam and want X-rays of your affected bones. In order to confirm a diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia, your doctor may want you to have additional diagnostic tests and procedures. Some of these are:

  • Bone scan
  • Bone biopsy
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan
  • CT (computerized tomography) scan.

Fibrous dysplasia may cause little or no signs and symptoms. However, if the disease is severe, you may experience:

  • Bone deformities
  • Bone pain that increases with activity and lessens with rest
  • Fractures (breaks)
  • Problems with walking
  • Bone sores (lesions)
  • Endocrine gland difficulties
  • Pigmentation (unusual skin color).

You or a loved one may have fibrous dysplasia. Fibrous dysplasia and/or complications that have resulted from or other debilitating conditions that you may have along with this disease may be the cause of your disability and need for financial help.

You or your loved one may have applied for the financial assistance that you need from the Social Security Administration by applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits because of the disability caused by fibrous dysplasia and/or complications that have resulted from or other debilitating conditions that you may have along with this disease. Were you or your loved one denied by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one reapplies or appeals the denial, remember this. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at Social Security Home are approved more often than people who do not have a disability lawyer on their side.

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Posted in Musculoskeletal, Social Security Disability | No Comments »