One man says he first experienced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis when he was just 29 years old. At the time, he owned and operated a truck. His work became much more difficult as he developed problems with his joints, including his knees and wrist, as well as his neck. He says he was forced to give up the job.
]]> He's not alone. The disease afflicts about 3 percent of the U.S. population. Arthritis typically means any type of joint inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis begins in the lining of the joints. It can ultimately cause swelling in the hands and feet and is usually worse in the mornings, leaving its sufferers stiff for about an hour after waking up.People can also suffer from weight loss and fatigue. What many people don't realize is that if the disease is left untreated, it can be fatal. If it is diagnosed too late, for instance, it can affect major organs and cause a heart attack or stroke. It may also increase the risk of lymphoma.
The cause is unknown, but it may be hereditary. Some drugs have been very affective, although there can be side effects. More and more treatments are becoming available, which is good news to sufferers like the man who had to give up his trucking career. Now 54, he's had several knee operations (including replacements), surgery on his wrist and neck surgery to fuse discs.
Treatment can be aggressive, but hopefully new drugs will ease patients' pain without adding harmful side effects.
Source: Asbury Park Press, "Rheumatoid arthritis treatments have benefits, negatives," Susan Bloom, Feb. 20, 2012
]]>The disease causes progressive degeneration of motor neuron cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to uncontrolled movements and paralysis. People ultimately have difficulty breathing on their own. In about 10 percent of cases, ALS is caused by a genetic defect, although in the other cases, the cause is unknown. There is apparently a hereditary link in some cases.
]]> There are about 30,000 Americans living with the disease at any given time. One of them is a man who was recently diagnosed with the disease. He says that about two years ago, he noticed a twitch in his arm. He was diagnosed with ALS about six months later. Now, he has lost much of the function of his left hand and about half of his right hand.The man, who has been married for nearly 20 years and has two children, knows what the disease will ultimately mean for him and his family. But in the meantime he wants to help others, and that's why he and his wife a website and fund that is already worth more than $150,000.
The money is intended to help educate the public about ALS and to contribute to funding for medical research. The man also plans to document the progress of the disease with photographs on his website, along with journal entries.
For the upcoming 20th wedding anniversary, he and his wife will be asking for donations to the fund.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Living with Gehrig's Disease, O'Hara man steps up," Bill Zlatos, Feb. 16, 2012
]]>Every year, for over 10 years running, the center has hosted a town hall meeting to discuss mental health issues, as well as goals and problems related to funding. According to Skokie Review, questions posed at the annual event included, "How do we care for one another with compassion?"
]]> This year's meeting, which took place late last week, was particularly important for a state that could see budgets slashed. The governor is said to want to be able to trim $2 billion from Illinois' Medicaid program. The costs of Medicaid reportedly account for about a quarter of the state's total health care costs.Despite calls to cut spending and a lack of federal funding, some facilities, such as the Tinley Park Health Center, managed to stay open for years. That center, however, is closing this summer.
One state representative hopes an Integrated Care Program could help, since it would require mental health to be included as a treatment option.
Advocates say that cutting spending is easy for those who don't truly understand how mental illness can affect people. One man, who is affiliated with the Community Behavioral Health Care Association of Illinois, echoes this sentiment. According to the Skokie Review, he says, "Part of my job ... is to help [legislators] understand what mental health illness is."
Source: Skokie Review, "Skokie forum explores mental health challenges," Mike Isaacs, Feb. 13, 2012
]]>One psychiatrist says there is a lot of overlap between symptoms of Parkinson's and psychiatric symptoms. These may include anxiety, depression, dementia, sleep and memory problems, and personality changes. These symptoms can occur at different stages of Parkinson's and may be caused by different things, according to a Psychiatric News article.
]]> The psychiatrist, also a Parkinson's researcher, says that often symptoms of depression emerge for a person who does not show outward signs of Parkinson's until perhaps three years later. Parkinson's sufferers also suffer from anxiety at a higher rate than the general population.This may be because the parkinsonian process begins in the brain stem, which contains serotonin and neurons that could be linked with depression and anxiety, according to Psychiatric News.
Exercise, which is known to help people who suffer from anxiety, may be beneficial to those with Parkinson's as well. And antidepressants have been shown to help treat depression-related symptoms for Parkinson's patients. Drugs used to treat Alzheimer's Disease may help with memory problems, too.
There are a variety of treatments that psychiatrist may be able to offer, and more are likely in the future as researchers search for more treatments.
Source: Psychiatric News, "Psychiatric treatment crucial for many Parkinson's patients," Joan Arehart-Treichel, Jan. 20, 2012
]]>It may help to explain why those relying on Social Security disability benefits frequently live in poor, rural areas. According to the Kansas City Star, data released recently shows that the highest concentrations of people relying on disability benefits are in historically rural and poor communities.
]]> One 32-year-old woman who lives in a rural community says she lives on her disability payments totaling $716 per month. She suffers from muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair because of her weakened legs.Her fiancé has unsuccessfully applied for benefits after undergoing numerous back surgeries and suffering a stroke. Both of the women's parents collect Social Security payments as well.
Their situation is not all that unusual. In their area, about one person out of every eight who is of a working age is collecting disability payments from the Social Security Administration. That compares to about one in 20 people in an urban area about 100 miles away.
Many of the rural areas do or used to rely on extraction industries such as agriculture, forestry and mining. Those no longer working in those industries may be afflicted by a lack of access to healthcare.
While some people might try to take advantage of the system, there are others who wait patiently for payments because they need them to get by. It's difficult to imagine what they would do without the assistance.
Source: Kansas City Star, "Rural communities have strongest reliance on disability benefits," Rick Montgomery, Jan. 29, 2012
]]>Scientists are hoping an expensive new drug may change that outlook. While the drug, called Kalydeco, may only help a small fraction of patients, it's hoped that it can be paired with other drugs in the future to help nearly all suffers of cystic fibrosis. Kalydeco was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
]]> According to NPR, the drug attempts to fix a defect in the protein that causes the disorder. It may help about 1,200 people who have cystic fibrosis, but when it's paired with drugs that tackle more common defects, it may be far more successful. Unfortunately, it may be years until the effects of drug combinations are known.For those who Kalydeco has helped, though, the results have been astonishing. A 29-year-old woman says that prior to taking the drug she would lapse into a five-to-ten minute coughing fit after she laughed. Within days of starting Kalydeco, she could laugh without coughing.
One drawback to the treatment is its enormous price tag. Kalydeco reportedly costs about $300,000 per year for each patient. While the company that makes the medication plans to give away the drug to those without insurance and who make less than $150,000 annually, others may be left behind in the wake of the huge cost.
Still, if the recent research is any indication, more options for treatment may be on the way in a few years' time.
Source: NPR, "Cystic fibrosis drug wins approval," Rob Stein, Feb. 1, 2012
]]>Many heart-related problems qualify as impairments, according to the Social Security Administration. Chronic heart failure, recurrent arrhythmias and ischemic heart disease are just a few. Others qualifying issues include heart transplants, aneurysm of the aorta or its major branches, peripheral arterial disease and chronic venous insufficiency.
]]> February is American Heart Month, and the Department of Health and Human Services launched a program called Million Hearts to combat heart disease. Its goal is to prevent 1 million heart attacks or strokes over the next five years through education and prevention programs.There are steps people can take to help protect themselves and their loved ones. Here are a few tips on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.
• Be active for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Watch calorie intake and eat heart-healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Reducing sodium and trans fat intake is also helpful.
• Ask your doctor if you should be taking a daily Aspirin.
• Reduce tobacco and cigarette use.
• Get your cholesterol and blood pressure tested and look into treatments if they are high.
As it stands now, one in every three deaths in the U.S. is from heart disease and stroke. Hopefully if people make smarter, heart-healthy choices, these numbers will change in the coming years.
Source: CDC.gov, "Be one in a million this American Heart Month," Jan. 30, 2012
]]>Among those suffering from serious mental illness, the rate of substance abuse or dependence was over 25 percent, compared with 6.1 percent of those who had not suffered from mental illness.
]]> In general, the study defined mental illness as having had a diagnosable mental, emotional or behavioral disorder on the basis of certain criteria, according to a Medscape article.The rate of mental illness was higher among those ages 18 to 25, at nearly 30 percent. That's compared to 14.3 percent of those ages 50 and older who suffered from a mental illness in the last year. Women were more likely than men to have suffered mental illness at 23 percent, compared to 16.8 percent for men.
The study also found that about 8.7 million Americans considered suicide in the last year. Of those, 2.5 had made plans to commit suicide, and 1.1 million actually attempted suicide.
According to SAMHSA, the overall economic impact of mental illness was about $300 billion back in 2002. An administrator for SAMHSA says that people would greatly benefit from access to mental health services. She notes that people are often able to manage mental illnesses successfully, and many of them do recover.
Source: Medscape, "High prevalence of mental illness among Americans," Caroline Cassels, Jan. 26, 2012
]]>According to a CNN article, the studies show that children who have severe traumatic brain injuries early in their lives may see impaired long-term intellectual ability and cognitive development.
]]> One study took a look at 40 children between the ages of two and seven who had suffered a traumatic brain injury. The children in the study were examined immediately following the injury, then 12 months later, after another 30 months and then 10 years later.The research found that those who suffered mild injuries did not face many negative effects, such as a deficit in intellectual abilities. However, among those who suffered more severe traumatic brain injuries, they often had delays or problems in their social, intellectual and behavioral development.
Another study, which compared the functions of 53 children who suffered an injury before the age of three, found similar results. Again, those who suffered more severe injuries were found to have lowered or delayed intellectual function.
The research shows that there is a correlation between severe brain injuries and intellectual delays in children. It should serve as a sign to parents to take extra precautions to prevent children from enduring such injuries.
Source: CNN, "Severe traumatic brain injury affects development in young children," Caitlin Hagan, Jan. 23, 2012
]]>Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a debilitating illness, and a frustrating one at that. There is no cure and it is notoriously difficult to diagnose. The new theory had given many sufferers hope, and many are disappointed that recent studies linking the disease to a virus just aren't true.
]]> Just prior to the holidays, two big science publishers, Science and Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, withdrew published papers that claimed the disease was linked to a virus carried by its sufferers.The studies apparently caused blood banks to ban people suffering from the disease from donating blood. The research also cost tens of millions of dollars in the U.S. Scientists think the problems with the studies had to do with contamination of tiny amounts of DNA from mice. No fraud or malpractice is suspected.
A medical sciences professor says it's natural that people with the disease were excited about the discovery, and then disappointed about the result. According to ABC News, the professor advises caution about breakthroughs so that "harm does not come to patients as a result of premature interpretations or treatments."
17 million people worldwide suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. They are waiting and hoping for a cure someday.
Source: ABC News, "Virus theory of chronic fatigue dismissed," Nonee Walsh, Jan. 5, 2012
]]>Of course, people suffering from severe mental illness or a debilitating disease are not going to see an immediate fix. But particularly for people suffering from mild to moderate depression, the elderly and those with substance abuse problems or chronic diseases, volunteering can help them feel somewhat better, according to the new research.
]]> As part of the study, one survey found that 68 percent of those who volunteered by donating time to the community said they felt physically healthier, while 27 percent said it helped them manage a chronic illness.In addition, a majority of them said the volunteering activities enriched their lives and lowered their levels of stress.
The author of the study thinks that primary care physicians should start asking patients 12 and older during office visits whether they volunteer, and suggesting that they should. He says there is no reason doctors shouldn't ask patients about it and that people who do volunteer are generally happier, and some of them can even live a little longer.
According to American Medical News, the study author says that "the research on the benefits of giving is extremely powerful." He goes on to say that, "just by taking a vacation from your stress and problems and turning your attention to someone else, it's a tremendously healthy thing."
Source: American Medical News, "Volunteering can boost physical and mental health," Christine S. Moyer, Jan. 17, 2012
]]>Many people who are injured on the job rely on Social Security disability benefits. For public workers in Illinois, however, municipalities will help them out.
]]> A fire lieutenant in Libertyville, for example, suffered a severe back injury on the job back in 2006. According to the Daily Herald, the injury was so severe that he could no longer perform the duties of his job. He has, however, recovered enough to work full time as an instructor of firefighting classes.The man and his family have benefited from $88,000 in insurance costs covered by Libertyville. Since the man is working again, however, some question whether such benefits are necessary. Some municipal government officials are apparently to close what they consider a costly loophole by changing the injury provision in the Public Safety Employee Benefit Act.
They cite rising medical costs as a problem. 50 municipalities surveyed throughout Illinois report spending $350,000 on such benefits in 2003. That number was about $2.8 million by 2010.
When the law was enacted back in 1997, the definition of "catastrophic injury" was kept fairly loose. Officials believe tightening it may save costs. Hopefully, any change will simply prevent abuse and won't come at the expense of those who truly need help.
Source: Daily Herald, "Injured public safety workers can get free insurance for life," Jake Griffin, Jan. 11, 2012
]]>Researchers, using funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Alliance for Lupus Research, were able to identify a gene mutation involved in causing the disease. The finding apparently disproves a theory that reactive oxygen species molecules perpetuate inflammation but fight infection.
]]> According to Health Canal, an international team of researchers used a proprietary methodology it developed to locate genes associated with the autoimmune disease. They were then able to test hypotheses they developed regarding functional consequences of gene mutations. The principal investigator of the study was the director of the USC Lupus Genetic Group.There is no cure for lupus, and that has not changed. In general, little is understood about the disease, but pieces to the puzzle, such as these findings, may ultimately help people fight the disease. The findings may also help in diagnosis, researchers say, and perhaps help to develop therapies using medication to manipulate ROS levels. One of the unexpected findings of the study was that ROS can be good for people even with inflammatory disease such as Lupus, scientists say.
Still, there's a long way to go, and scientists say more testing needs to be done in terms of ROS biology. The news, however, is promising to Lupus sufferers, who often feel trapped by a disease that can be painful and frustrating.
Source: Health Canal, "Gene mutation that increases risk for Lupus found," Alison Trinidad, Jan. 3, 2012
]]>DBS has not been used in testing on psychiatric patients much before, although there have been a handful of people with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder who have participated in testing.
]]> A new study, however, is giving some shape to theories that DBS may help those with mental illness. It was published in Archives of General Psychiatry and features a total of 17 patients. 10 of them had major depressive disorder and 7 of them had bipolar II disorder. The rate of suicide in such patients is high.All patients had tried more conventional treatments with little effect. Their lives were characterized as having deep feelings of detachment. As one physician puts it to CNN, with the condition you "feel like you've done something wrong and you want to be dead."
The study, which used the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale as the principle measure for the level of illness, found that after 24 weeks of using DBS, 41 percent of patients had a positive response and 18 percent went into "remission." Those numbers bumped up to 92 percent and 58 percent, respectively, after two years of DBS.
The numbers are surely encouraging, although more research needs to be done before DBS can be used more widely.
Source: CNN, "More evidence that deep brain stimulation may help treat mental illness," Andy Segal, Jan. 2, 2012
]]>According to the Wall Street journal, the Social Security Administration has even come up with a code to describe appeals that have been dismissed because the applicant passed away while they were waiting. They are called DXDI designations, and there have been over 15,000 of them.
]]> One tragic example is a man who was diagnosed with colon cancer. He apparently applied for disability benefits in 2009. The man, who had worked as a mason, saw his first appeal denied because he apparently didn't provide adequate medical records.He reportedly sought help from the Legal Aid Bureau, and his lawyer called several hospitals trying to obtain the records that were apparently necessary. By September 2010, he had little money left and was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
As he lay dying, the agency apparently again requested more information to determine "whether he was able to work," according to the Wall Street Journal.
The 50-year-old man passed away in December 2010. A day after his funeral and nine days after he died, he got a letter saying the government had approved his benefits. And in January 2011, he was sent another letter, this one revoking his benefits because he failed to respond.
Clearly, the system is too slow, and too slow to communicate. In the meantime, many people who need benefits are waiting. And waiting.
Source: Wall Street Journal, "Growing case backlog leaves the terminally ill waiting," Damian Paletta and Dionne Searcey, Dec. 28, 2011
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