Diabetes affects millions of Americans. Nationally, the number of people affected is over 25 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Many Michiganders are affected, of course. And diabetes presents a major hurdle to working for many people. That is why diabetes is included on the list of disabling conditions that may make someone eligible for Social Security disability income (SSDI) if the result is significant functional limitations.
The CDC classifies diabetes as an endocrine disorder. It involves high blood glucose levels resulting from problems with insulin in the body. Insulin is needed for the body to process glucose into energy in the bloodstream.
In people with type 2 diabetes, however, the body either fails to produce sufficient amounts of insulin or somehow does not act on what is produced. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It used to be known as “adult-onset diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes was formerly known as “juvenile diabetes” or “insulin-dependent diabetes.” It involves a complete deficiency of insulin production.
Federal data indicates that 13.7 percent of people between the ages of 45 and 64 have diabetes. It can greatly affect work because of the many harmful consequences it has for the body. Diabetes can lead to serious vision problems, for example.
It can also limit someone’s ability to do such basic things as walk and use one’s hands. Indeed, diabetes can even cause someone to slip into a coma if insulin is not properly translating glucose into energy.
This is National Diabetes Awareness Month, which provides a good opportunity to reflect on diabetes issues.
Source: “November is National Diabetes Awareness Month,” Houston Chronicle, 11-20-12
Our firm handles situations similar to those discussed in this post. To learn more about our practice, please visit our Michigan Social Security disability page.
