Did you know that November is National COPD Awareness Month?
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is the third leading cause of death among people in the United States. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), COPD kills more than 120,000 people in the U.S. each year and the numbers are increasing.
The NHLBI reports that more than 12 million people are diagnosed with COPD each year, while it is estimated that 12 million more people have the disease but do not know it.
COPD takes two forms, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which make it incredibly hard for victims to breath, as their lungs deteriorate. The NHLBI said that there are no ways to reverse the damage done to a victim’s lungs by COPD, but there are ways to minimize future symptoms. This includes:
- Taking medication regularly
- Enrolling in a rehabilitation program
- Avoiding pollutants such as cigarettes that can irritate your lungs
- Getting flu and pneumonia shots
COPD and Social Security
If you suffer from COPD, it is possible that you may be able to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has lists COPD as an official disability.
To qualify for benefits, you will have to show that you have very limited airflow in your lungs. To document this, the SSA may require a lung function test, evidencing your ability to inhale and exhale. Your disability must reduce your ability to breathe and exert yourself, making you unable to work.
For more information about COPD and disability, you can always call us. Unfortunately, many of our clients suffer from lung diseases that make it impossible for them to work. We guide these clients with compassionate counsel.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability attorneys
Source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/copd/event-listing/awareness-month/
