• Exercise is a major part of rehab. It can help improve both your heart and lung function. While it may seem scary to push yourself into situations that make you short of breath, just sitting around actually weakens these two all-important organs. Carefully guided exercise and breathing training are included in pulmonary rehab.
• Management of emotions is another important part. Anxiety and depression can go hand in hand with COPD. Because you are limited from doing things that you want to do, depression can be a real risk. Rehab always includes counseling, stress management, and relaxation techniques that can help you cope.
• Nutrition is a key component. Eating and weight management are issues that you must cope with if you have COPD. When you eat, what you eat and how much you eat can all affect the disease. Your pulmonary rehab team will work to provide you with a good nutritional plan that works for you.

• First and foremost, do not smoke. This is so easy to say and so difficult for many long-time smokers to do. There are many products, classes and support groups to help you quit, but ultimately you will have to make the decision for yourself. And when you do, you will have taken a big step towards slowing the progress of your disease.
• Avoid situations that aggravate your condition. Dust and fumes can cause COPD to become worse, so it is a good idea to stay indoors in a clean environment on bad days. You can find out online or on the local news when the air quality and pollution levels are going to be bad and try to plan your schedule accordingly.
• Eat well. As with any illness, a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables boosts your overall metabolism and provides good nutrition for your body’s cellular structure.
• Avoid exposure to sick people. Try not to be around others who have colds or the flu. Be sure to wash your hands often to avoid contamination when out and about.
• Get a flu shot. Most doctors want their COPD patients to stay up-to-date on flu shots. You may also be advised to get a pneumonia shot.
• Stay active. Exercise is an important part of breathing more easily and helping you to get and stay strong. And never forget that exercise can improve your mood, help you sleep better, control your weight and give you a feeling of control over your life. 
• Take care of your mental health as well. COPD can cause the sufferer to feel upset, hopeless and helpless. But just about every community offers regular support groups that really do make a difference. And, if you feel you need it, counseling can prove to be invaluable.
• Be sure you are financially able to live a normal life. The Social Security Administration disability program is designed for people like you. 

• John, aged 42, has a full-time job at a gas station and owns his own home. He bought a car and camper, enjoying trips to the mountains. And he took his mother in and cared for her during her last years.
• Francine and Andrew are married and live together in their own apartment. They frequently entertain friends and family in their home. They shop, cook and enjoy life together, frequently seen around town holding hands as they run errands.
• Jose, 42, works part-time in a food store handling the shopping carts. While only making a minimum salary, he has been able to live on his own with a friend.

• You have tried to apply and find the process overwhelming and confusing.
• You are simply too disabled to do the work of applying.
• You cannot locate all the information required by the Social Security Administration (SSA) disability program.
• You have applied and been denied.
• You need help preparing for a court proceeding.

• At the initial application level, only about 35% of total applicants are approved, leaving 65% to either give up or continue to fight.
• About 87% of first appeals are denied at the reconsideration level.
• If the applicant continues to the hearing level, he or she stands about a 62% chance of being awarded benefits.
• The fourth level, appeals court, awards only about 2% of all applicants.
• The final level, federal court, denies about 70% of all cases.

• If you are not legally blind, but vision problems, combined with other health problems, prevent you from working, you may still receive benefits.
• If you are legally blind and do not have enough credits to qualify for SSA disability benefits, you may be able to qualify based on the earnings of your parents or spouse.
• If you are legally blind, but still working, have not applied for benefits and are earning less money due to your blindness, a special rule may apply to you: The SSA will calculate your future benefit excluding the years you earned less. This means you can get a better benefit when you do apply.
• The SSA offers “work incentives” to the legally blind. If you are already receiving benefits, you can earn as much as $1,690 a month in 2012 and still receive your monthly checks. The benefit is only $1,010 for non-blind disabled workers.
• After age 55, if your earnings exceed the $1,690 limit, your benefits will only be suspended, not terminated, if the work you are doing requires less skill and ability than what you did before this age. And, for any month your earnings fall below the limit, you will receive disability benefits.

1. Don’t smoke. Ok, everyone knows smoking is bad for us, but did you know that nicotine shrinks blood vessels and causes stress on your heart? Also, the carbon monoxide in cigarettes damages the blood vessel lining and reduces blood oxygen. 
2. Control blood pressure. High blood pressure causes problems for your whole body, but is a known risk factor for CHD. You should have a regular blood pressure check, even if you have no symptoms of heart disease. 
3. Check cholesterol regularly. High cholesterol levels can put you at much higher risk for heart disease. Don’t ignore this important step in your health care.
4. If diabetic, keep it under control. Good blood sugar levels are very helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease.
5. Eat good stuff. When you base your diet on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you immediately reduce your risk of heart disease. 
6. Manage your stress. Too much stress can place unnecessary strain on your heart. There are many stress-relieving techniques available.
7. Keep your weight under control. Excess weight puts still more strain on your heart. People with large waists tend to be much more likely to develop both diabetes and heart problems.
8. Exercise! Yep, it is said again and again, and still we sit on our couches, putting it off. Exercise is the best way to control your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and mood. Being active between 30 and 60 minutes a day can make all the difference.
9. Practice good hygiene. If you already have heart trouble, you can avoid potentially damaging infections by staying away from sick people, washing your hands and keeping your teeth clean.
10. A flu shot can help. Those who suffer heart disease are much more likely to have a heart attack if they get the flu. 

• You make $500 gross wages minus $85, which equals $415.
• The $415 is divided by two, which equals $207.50. This amount, your “countable earnings” is deducted from your SSI benefit.
• Since the maximum benefit allowed is $698 in 2012, the amount of $207.50 is taken away from the total and you would receive $490.50.

• First, the patient must be checked for respiration and heartbeat, which can be affected by an upper neck injury.
• Next, the patient must be immobilized, usually at the site of the trauma or accident. Improper movement at this stage could cause further damage.
• Once a spinal cord injury has been confirmed, a high dosage of steroids is often given to reduce inflammation and swelling, which could aggravate the injury. 
• Once the patient is stabilized, he or she might be put in traction or fitted with a halo device to prevent damaging movement. 
• Sometimes surgery is needed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and to stabilize the spine. Surgeries might include removing the parts of vertebrae that have broken, relieving compression caused by a tumor, infection or severe arthritis, or the placement of metal screws, rods and/or plates to stabilize the spine.
• When any or all of these treatments have been administered, most patients will begin intensive physical therapy to help them regain as much function as possible.

• Up to 50% of your SSA disability benefits are taxable; a formula determines exactly what percentage to claim. 
• For the tax year 2011, you must file a federal income tax if your gross income is $19,000 for couples or $9,550 for individuals.
• Most people receiving SSA disability will not owe taxes. The problem comes in if you receive and report all of a lump sum benefit.
• You are not required to report all of a lump sum benefit in one tax year. In fact, you can spread the payment over previous tax years, while only filing once in the current year.
• There are tax credits available to SSA disability beneficiaries. And, even if your income was low enough not to file, you could receive a refund if you do.
• There are tax credits for people with disabilities. 
• There are tax credits for people who pay for the care of a dependent or spouse. 

• Most serious injuries take place when soldiers are on foot patrols. 
• The victims are mostly Marines and mostly in the southern part of the country.
• In 2010, there were a total of 18 triple limb amputations – double the number of all military amputations from 2003-2009.
• A total of 86 service members lost a major limb in 2009, 23 of them with multiple amputations.
• This number doubled in 2010 to 187. Of these, 72 lost more than one limb.
• From January to September 2011, the number had already reached 147, with 77 losing more than one limb.

• Changes in war tactics on both sides. There are more American foot patrols, and there are more powerful and frequent explosions of Taliban I.E.D.’s.
• More soldiers being saved from dying on a battlefield due to better evacuation methods and medical treatments, meaning that many soldiers who would have died in past conflicts are now surviving with amputations.

• Once you are diagnosed, your doctor will work hard to provide treatments that will help you to lead a normal life.
• All treatments are aimed at preventing flares, treating flares and minimizing organ damage and other complications.
• Drug therapy is used to treat lupus. Immunosuppressants, steroids, antimalarials and anti-inflammatory drugs are common.
• Phototherapy (light therapy) is still a new treatment option, but many people report a reduction in disabling fatigue and inflammation. 
• Lifestyle changes are also recommended. Reducing your exposure to sunlight, learning to control stress, exercise, and diet, and not smoking are all options.

• Depending on how soon you were diagnosed, the severity of the disease can vary. If you are treated early on, you have an 80 – 90% chance of a normal lifespan. 
• If you have lupus and are carefully monitored by a doctor, your disease can be managed.
• If the disease has begun to affect your internal organs, you may be more seriously disabled. 

• There is a strong community of resources to help you. 
• The Lupus Federation of America can provide you with valuable information on where to go for help.
• Your county Department of Social Services may have some answers.
• Financial assistance can be found through government resources. There are three federal websites that offer financial aid. A simple Internet search will find them for you. 
• The Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers Association can provide you with the names of companies that assist patients with things like drug costs.
• Finally, you may qualify for the nation’s largest disability program through the Social Security Administration, which helps pay the bills for millions of Americans. 

• Levadopa. This medication is the most used and has been for over 30 years. It works to diminish the motor problem symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. 
• Dopamine agonists. This group of drugs also works to aid in motor function and is mostly used in the early stages. It is most often administered with a skin patch.
• Other drugs. Medications like amantadine and anticholinergics may also be used in treating symptoms not responding to the primary drugs.

• While surgery was once done a great deal, the introduction of Levadopa has cut back on the number performed.
• Parkinson’s surgical techniques have improved greatly and, in people with advanced stages of the disease who do not respond as well to the drugs, it is still a viable option.
• There are three types of Parkinson’s surgery: lesion surgery, deep brain stimulation and neural grafting or tissue transplants.
• Lesion surgery targets deep parts of the brain and burns the tissue there, creating lesions. The aim is to control the parts of the brain that are causing tremor.
• Deep brain stimulation places a small electrode in the parts of the brain that control movement. 
• Neural grafting or tissue transplants are still in the experimental stage. Researchers hope to find a way to replace the parts of the brain that are not functioning correctly.

• Most Federal employees hired before 1984. But also note that all Federal employees have paid Medicare hospital insurance portion of the SSA tax since 1983.
• Railroad employees with more than ten years of service.
• Employees of state and local governments who have chosen not to participate in Social Security.
• Children under age 21 who do household chores for a parent, unless a child 18 or older works in a parent-owned business.

• If you are self-employed you can earn work credits the same way as employees do. You can order the SSA Publication No. 05-10022, If You Are Self Employed, on their website for further explanation.
• If you are in the military, your Social Security credits are earned the same way as civilian employees. Also, you may get additional credits under some situations.
• Special rules exist for earning credits in other types of jobs. For instance, if you do domestic work, farm work or work for a church or church-related organization that does not pay SSA taxes, you could also qualify. 

• When your symptoms become severe.
• If your CD4 count drops under 500.
• If you become pregnant.
• If you have contracted and are being treated for hepatitis B.
• If you have contracted a kidney disease related to HIV.

• Eat well. By adopting a healthy eating regimen, you can remain strong and boost your immune system. Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables and eat as many lean proteins and whole grains as you can. There are many helpful online sites to guide your diet choices.
• Stay away from some foods. Because unpasteurized dairy products and raw eggs and seafood can carry food-borne illness, avoid them. Your meats should be well done.
• Be careful if you have pets. Cats and reptiles, in particular, can carry parasites that may increase your chance of infection.
• Be sure you are up-to-date on your immunizations. But be careful. You should check with your doctor to be sure your flu and pneumonia vaccines do not contain live viruses.

Problems and Solutions for Epilepsy Patients

• You may feel alone. But you are not! There are community support groups just about everywhere in the United States for people like you. Ask your doctor, talk to others and go online to find support.
• Your family may feel the strain. It is important that each member of your family is educated about your condition. Through communication and knowledge, your family can become your biggest support team, making it easier for both them and you to feel more secure.
• You could become nervous about safety. There are many ways to be sure you are safe if you are at high risk for seizures. Be sure you avoid being alone when you do activities like bathe, cook, hike, swim, use power tools or climb ladders.
• You might have trouble finding, getting and keeping a job in a field that suits you. Seizures can interrupt your work and transportation can be a problem. You should know that the Americans with Disabilities Act protects your rights as a worker. It is illegal to deny someone a job if they are able to perform it.

• They are localized around joints, but do not involve the joints themselves. 
• They are about the size of a penny, and very sensitive.
• When pressed with a finger, they are painful and will cause the sufferer to start or flinch.
• They are located all around the body, including the hips, buttocks, knees, back, chest, elbows and neck. 
• There is no known cause of tender points and tests do not show much tissue inflammation.
• The 18 points are the same in every fibromyalgia case.
• During examinations, doctors can conduct a test to determine how many tender points are causing you trouble.

• Therapeutic massage techniques.
• Application of moist heat.
• Control of stress through planned rest times throughout the day.
• Relaxation and breathing exercises.
• A regular bedtime.
• Regular exercise.

• You should hire a representative. With the help of a Massachusetts disability attorney, you can get the benefits you so desperately need. 
• Don’t wait too long to get a lawyer. If you wait until the hearing is near, your representative will not have the time he or she needs to fully study your file, collect additional information and prepare your case.
• Don’t cancel and reschedule your hearing unless absolutely necessary. Doing so will slow the entire process, adding months to the time you must wait.
• Get updated medical evidence submitted early. Waiting to submit additional medical information may slow the process, and getting it in early could result in an early decision in your favor, making the hearing unnecessary.
• You can get hearing travel costs covered. If you have to travel more than 75 miles to the hearing, the SSA may pay for your expenses and those of your representative and/or witnesses. Submit a written request at the time of or shortly after the hearing. If you need costs covered before the hearing, be sure you inform the ALJ as soon as possible.

• Avoid telling the person to “get over it” or “snap out of it.”
• Try to communicate in a quiet voice, remaining calm.
• Keep to only one subject at a time; jumps from subject to subject can be confusing and disquieting.
• Try not to ask the person to explain what makes him or her depressed. In reality, the person probably doesn’t know.
• Learn as much as you can about depression and how to recognize it, deal with it and treat it.

• Try to reduce the amount of noise and stimulation in the home.
• Never try to argue, reason or explain anything during manic episodes or the “low” times.
• Keep conversations short and to the point.
• Be careful about getting caught up in manic episodes, which can include euphoria or unrealistic expectations.
• Take steps to keep your loved one safe, including removing credit cards or car keys if it seems necessary.