Considerations for those Suffering from Diabetes Mellitus Applying for Social Security disability
According to a release from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), more than 100 million U.S. Citizens are suffering from either diabetes or prediabetes. It is quite common in our practice to represent individuals who are either disabled from working either partly or wholly because of this condition. For those considering an application for Social Security disability benefits, it’s important to keep a number of items in mind when proceeding with a claim that involves Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
There are two major categories of Diabetes Mellitus (DM): Type I, which is known as insulin dependent diabetes,results from a lack of insulin production in the pancreas as a result of what has been an autoimmune destruction of insulin producing cells. In turn, the lack of insulin production results in increased blood glucose levels. Symptoms associated with high glucose levels can include increased thirst, appetite, urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue or drowsiness, trouble concentrating, headaches as well as blurred vision. Type I diabetes, has also been known as juvenile-onset diabetes, as it presents most often with children (although it can rear its head at any age).
Type II DM, which has also been referred to as adult-onset diabetes (or non-insulin dependent) diabetes results from a lack of production of insulin by the pancreas, or one remains resistant to the transfer of insulin to one’s body cells (otherwise known as insulin resistant diabetes). Symptoms can be similar to those present with Type I. Type II DM is most common with those who are either obese or who have a family history of DM. The condition can many times be treated through diet and exercise at earlier stages of the illness. However, where diet and exercise are no longer proving fruitful, oral medication or daily insulin may need to be introduced. Continue reading