The government has several federal programs to offer aid and assistance to people with various medical conditions. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is chiefly responsible for implementing and maintaining these policies. For disability, in particular, the benefits are paid under two separate programs, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. What is the definition of disability? The SSA classifies disability into three primary categories for applicants to be eligible for the benefit, severe, long term, and total disability. Severe disability interferes with one’s daily work-related activities Long-term disability implies that the condition has lasted at least a year or more Total disability implies that the applicant is completely unable to perform any activity that the administration deems a substantial gainful activity Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income The aid is available for people who have regularly paid their Social Security taxes over the tenure of their service record. Social Security Disability Insurance is a benefit made available for people who have suffered from a disability before the age of 22 but continued to work and paid taxes promptly. On the other hand, Supplemental Security Income is for adults and children who have limited income resources. Concept of work credits The SSA requires applicants to have work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. For example, 28 work credits are required by the time the applicant turns 50. This is equivalent to having worked for a minimum of seven years, five of which must be within the last 10 years of one’s professional tenure. When to apply for SSDI benefits? The SSA recommends applicants to seek benefits and apply online immediately after suffering from a disability. It provides all relevant information in SSDI starter kits available for applicants who must prepare for the interview post online verification.

The genetic health condition called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affects that part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movements. There is wide variability in the age of the onset, rate of progression, and even symptoms of the condition. For individuals diagnosed with SMA, it is not that easy to roll out of the bed and start the day. However, when a patient has a caregiver’s assistance along with the right medical equipment, it helps a lot to carry out daily activities like showering, dressing, going to the toilet, and even eating. Even though in the early stages of the condition, the family members themselves act as the primary caregivers for SMA patients, it is usually not so in the long run. This is because as the condition progresses, one does need professional caregivers for SMA patients as they help to take care of numerous things. When one is planning to hire caregivers for SMA patients through an agency, they need to ensure that the caregivers hired are trained professionals. Below are some tips that will help one hire a professional caregiver for SMA patients- Have a conversation with the insurance providers and social work departments One needs to realize how many hours will be allotted to the SMA patient by the government before hiring caregivers. While building a case, it is necessary to talk to the insurance provider and a qualified social worker. As the condition tends to vary from person to person, so does the level of help they need. There are some SMA patients that need 24*7 caregivers assistance while there are others who only need someone who can help them get up and get ready in the morning, and put them to bed at night. One needs to determine the level of care their family member needs and communicate the same to their social worker or any other type of independent living department with whom they are working.

A purified protein, Botox is injected to treat wrinkles accompanying the different facial expressions. When Botox is injected into the skin, it helps in relaxing the muscles and has a visible effect on the wrinkles, as they smooth out. Botox has been a favorite when it comes to treatment of wrinkles as well as facial creases. It is also used to treat forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet (lines around the eye area). The price of Botox injections varies vastly depending on several factors. Normally costing between $200 and $400, the price of Botox keeps fluctuating. The factors that affect the price of Botox injections are: – The physician (and his qualification) – Location – Time period – Units purchased – Number of injections – Area of treatment – Desired profit margin – Ongoing promotions Usually, doctors levy the price of injections Botox based on the cost per unit, while there are some who charge a sum by the area of injection. While most doctors charge a flat price for Botox injection, there are some who levy a charge based on the units opened during the treatment. Flat rates that doctors usually charge fall between $300 and $1000. The rate per unit, moreover, is somewhere between $10–15 per unit. Nowadays, the physicians normally pay $400 for a single vial, with each vial having approximately 100 units. The vial once opened, has to be used within a few hours or else its efficacy becomes questionable. Thus, the doctors normally throw the vials which have been opened but not used for a few hours. The price of Botox should be weighed against other factors such as the value of the cosmetic surgery practice and the qualified testimonials of the doctor. An unusually low price of Botox is an indication of a doubtful or not so good treatment.

Drug abuse is a widespread problem in the country across different age groups. This often leads to addiction, causing a far-reaching impact on the addict’s personal and professional life. Relationships, work, and day-to-day activities can suffer immensely due to drug addiction. In such a scenario, checking into a drug rehab facility is the only option. Though it is not always possible to be sure of the effectiveness of this treatment, it is always best to try. The cost sometimes can feel a little intimidating, especially if one doesn’t know how helpful the treatment will be. However, the truth is if one loves their family, friends, job, and wish to lead a normal and healthy life, going to a drug rehab center is a plausible choice. At times, it is not enough to get help from peers or family if one wishes to put drug abuse behind them. Moreover, with the help of professionals, it can really make a difference when one is struggling with addiction constantly and trying to stay sober. The main truth about drug rehab is that the treatment or program will only cater to one’s specific needs. Therefore, the cost will be more affordable than one might think, and thus it will need the commitment from the individual’s side as well. Thus, before making the decision of going to a drug rehab center, the following are some of the most important things that one should keep in mind. How does a drug rehab work? The professional treatment that one will be getting for drug abuse will make a huge difference. When one checks into a drug rehab facility, the main aim will be to work towards a drug-free future. This should be the individual’s choice, and it will certainly help one in their journey to recovery and will also help in resisting any kind of future temptations as well.

In order to compare Medigap plans, it is important to understand what Medigap plans are. A Medigap plan, also known as Medicare Supplement plan, are insurance plans or policies sold by private companies. Medicare Supplemental Insurance, another term frequently used for Medigap, helps in paying some of the healthcare costs that are not covered by the original Medicare. These costs include coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles as well. Some of the Medigap plans cover services like medical care while traveling outside the US and other costs which are not covered in the original Medicare plan. Thus, it can be said that Medigap plans supplement the original Medicare benefits. Before we compare Medigap plans, it is useful to note that if you buy any Medigap plan, the original Medicare facility will be liable to cover or pay its share or percentage of the Medicare-approved amount for the covered healthcare. The first thing to remember when comparing Medigap plans is that a monthly premium is required to be paid for a Medigap policy. These plans or policies are only available to those who already hold a Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. While Medicare Part A comprises payment for hospital services, Medicare Part B, however, covers the cost for medic services. Typical Medigap plans are branded A through N and include different health coverage levels. Plans E, H, I, and J, however, are no more available to the new subscribers. Usually, the premium required to be paid by the plan holder of Medigap varies, the benefits usually remain the same. For example, the Medigap Plan C policy provides predefined benefits that remain true irrespective of the insurance company that is offering them. However, when one would compare Medigap plans, they should know that the standard Medigap policies would differ in states such as Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin among what is offered by Medigap plans across the country.

Addiction of any kind of substance occurs when one develops a physical or a psychological dependency on it. Addictions are fatal as they keep getting severe with time. The more one abuses a certain kind of substance, the higher will be their chances of developing an addiction to it. A high level of substance abuse can lead to significant physical disorders in an individual. Addiction is highly progressive and, in some cases, incurable. However, there are treatment and rehabilitation centers that can help the individual in getting rid of the addiction. Addiction treatment centers are specially designed to provide addicts with effective treatment for their addiction. The number of addiction centers in the country has gone up. Moreover, the quality provided by these addiction treatment centers has enhanced significantly. Following are some factors that you must take into consideration while choosing an addiction treatment center. Location of the addiction treatment facility There has been a massive growth in the understanding of the disease of addiction, which has led to developments in the treatment methods for addiction. The increase in the number of addiction treatment centers has opened up multiple options for people who are looking for a rehabilitation center. While looking for an addiction treatment center, choose a location that suits your preferences and convenience. The preferences must not be limited to it being close to your home; you must also consider the cities that have the best addiction treatment centers. For example, Florida is known as the “Recovery Capital of the World” as there are a lot of addiction treatment centers in that part of the country. Florida should be one of your primary choices if you are looking for addiction treatment centers, especially for alcohol abuse. The luxurious beaches are one of the major reasons why Florida is home to so many addiction treatment centers.

To find a doctor, you need to understand what option is the most convenient for you. The credibility of the doctor as well as whether they are covered by your health plan or not are important considerations. Here are some ways to find a doctor: Doctors in the network The starting point to find a doctor would be your health plan. Depending on your area of residence, your health plan will have competitive rates for specific doctors as well as hospitals. These doctors are called in-network doctors according to insurance companies. The advantage of seeing an in-network doctor over an out-of-network doctor is the fees and consultation charges. If you pick an out-of-network doctor, you will have to bear all the expenses by yourself as these doctors do not recognize your insurance plan’s coverage. You can go the website of your insurance service provider or call their toll free number to find out if the hospital you intend to visit is covered under their plan or not. Area of expertise Now that you have identified the in-network doctors, it is essential to find out the area of expertise you require. You will have to choose your primary care physician from the different categories of doctors such as Family Practice, General Practice or Internal Medicine. As far as children are concerned, the primary care physician will be known as a pediatrician, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of children. Family practice: As far as expertise is concerned, family practice physicians are generalists. They can provide solutions for various types of health problems that specialists deal in, like injuries related to sports as well as issues relating to the health of women. Patients from any age bracket, be it children or senior citizens, can avail of their services. Internal medicine: These doctors restrict their treatment to adults.

A bone density test is done to check whether you have osteoporosis or not. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone which causes them to become fragile and susceptible to damage easily. Previously, osteoporosis could only be detected after the patient has broken a bone. However, by the time it was found out, it was already very late as the bones become quite weak. A bone density test accurately determines how susceptible you are to breaking bones. The bone density test uses X-rays to determine the amount of calcium and other bone minerals in grams present into a particular area of the bone. The bones in the hip, spine, and forearm are mainly checked in this test. Why is the bone density test conducted? Doctors conduct bone density test to: – Monitor the treatment of osteoporosis. – Identify any decrease in bone density and prevent the advancement before one has a broken bone. Your bones are believed to be denser and less likely to break when you have high mineral content in your bones. It must be noted that bone scans and bone density tests are completely different things. Bone scans are characterized by injections being administered to patients before the procedure, and it is done to detect cancer, fractures, infections and other bone abnormalities. Osteoporosis is more common to women especially elderly people. However, osteoporosis in men is not uncommon at all. Regardless of your age and gender, your physician may suggest you a bone density test if you have: Lost height: People with underlying osteoporosis have experienced a loss of height. Osteoporosis causes compression fractures in the spines causing people to lose 4 cms in height generally. Fractured a bone: Fragility fracture is a term used to describe the situation when the bones become so weak that they break very easily.

A lot of middle-aged women these days are considering Botox to get back their young face. Though it is not a permanent way of getting rid of a wrinkly face, it helps in rejuvenating your skin for few months, after which you can again get injected. Botox is a toxin that blocks signals from the nerves to the muscle. The toxin acts on your muscles, and the muscles stop their contraction and stay relaxed. You might not know this, but facelift and lifting of lips are not the only uses of Botox. The truth is that Botox has a far broader application. If done right, a Botox surgery can help in different medical conditions. Here are some things to know about a Botox surgery and its cost. Medical conditions which can be treated by Botox For those who suffer from overactive bladder, you can inject Botox and control your bladder. When you inject Botox, it paralyzes the muscles of the bladder, thus reducing your washroom visits. Botox can also relieve the pain of a chronic migraine if supplemented with other treatments. The patient will experience less of a headache and nausea after the injection. For those who suffer from muscle spasm, you can consider getting a Botox to train your muscles to relax and soften. Another absurd but effective area where you can get a Botox injected is your armpits. This is great for people with the condition of excessive sweating and body odor. For these medical conditions, you can check up with your insurance company. Insurance covers your Botox cost if it is for a non-cosmetic purpose. Choosing a Botox surgeon Since Botox can completely change how your face looks, you should be sure of the surgeon from whom you are getting it done. Don’t settle for a doctor just because he offers a cheap Botox cost.

A lot of people don’t know how to keep their oral health in a good condition which ultimately leads to several problems. Some dental disorders require emergency treatments in order to restore the conditions. People who experience bleeding, fracture, toothache, and cavity, need immediate attention for reducing the risks. An emergency dentist near you will take care of all problems including injuries and infections. Most dentists primarily aim at offering services to patients with special care to minimize severe complications. They even provide solutions for the symptoms with advanced technologies to achieve better results in life. Those who ignore oral health for prolonged periods may develop periodontal problems which result in inflammation, bleeding gum, and other problems. Once you find emergency dentists near you, the problems will be fixed by dentists using professional methods for improving the quality of life. Not all dentists provide emergency services and one should know more about them properly for undergoing a treatment with ease. If you experience any of the following conditions, ensure to consult an emergency dentist near you for overcoming severe consequences. Cracked tooth Broken tooth Lost crowns and filling Injuries on lips and tongue Abscess Cellulitis Broken jaw Chipped tooth Bleeding Finding an emergency dentist near you is an important step and patients should follow certain tips before scheduling an appointment. Visiting local dental offices There are many local dental offices which cover emergency services to patients with modern amenities. It is advisable to collect more information about them from different sources such as friends, newspapers, magazines, or online. One must visit their local dental offices to get more ideas on emergency dentists near them, services, costs, and other things in detail. Knowing the types of emergency dentists available There are two types of dentists who offer emergency services to patients.

It is vital to eat better to ensure one’s overall health is maintained. In cases where someone has diabetes, it becomes more crucial to choose the right foods to control the blood sugar. Rapid and unchecked changes in its levels can lead to complications. One of the simplest ways to maintain blood sugar is by choosing the right breakfast food; accordingly, here are some of the top breakfast options a person with diabetes can have. 4 breakfast foods that help maintain blood sugar levels Eggs Eggs are a healthy and reliable source of essential nutrients, including proteins, for the body. Paired with sauteed vegetables or a slice of toasted bread topped with seed seasoning, eggs never fail to make for perfect breakfast food. Its high-quality fat and abundance of nutrients also ensure that the blood sugar level is controlled without erratic spikes and dips. Chia seed pudding Chia seeds are known for their high omega-3 fatty acid content and their ability to soak up to ten times the quantity of water in comparison to their weight. This promotes a feeling of fullness, and the high fiber content keeps the blood sugar control maintained. Add your choice of nuts, fruits, and/or seeds to soaked chia seeds. Unflavored yogurt or milk can also be used as a base for the pudding. Conversely, chia seeds can also be added to the bowl of oatmeal to increase its nutritional value. Avocado toast Like chia seeds, avocado, too, is a rich source of fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, and other nutrients deemed important for the body. It also helps one feel full for longer. Avocados can be inculcated into breakfast menus in the form of avo toasts, a bowl of guacamole, avo oats, and/or smoothies containing avocados. One can also have sliced avocado with some lime juice and seasoning to control their blood sugar levels.

It is crucial to keep the lungs healthy in order to prevent the onset and escalation of serious conditions. There is a possibility that harmful toxins in the environment and consumption of inflammatory foods can lead to ailments such as chronic MAC infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis. Altering lifestyles and eating a nutrient-rich food regime can boost lung health. Here are five foods that can improve the function of the lungs. Beetroots and beet greens Beetroots are beneficial for the lungs, as they contain nitrates that relax blood vessels, decrease blood pressure, and improve oxygen levels in the body. On the other hand, beet greens are rich in magnesium and potassium, both minerals that boost lung health and help manage chronic MAC disease. Apples Apples, filled with beneficial flavonoids and a phytonutrient called quercetin, have always been known to keep doctors at bay. This fruit also contains phytochemicals that help keep your lungs healthy and your throat passageways clear. Apples contain all the good antioxidants that prevent chronic ailments. Ginger This immunity booster is an age-old remedy that helps keep the respiratory system healthy. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory spice and relaxes muscles of the lung tissue. A cup of ginger tea after your last meal aids digestion too. Bananas Bananas strengthen the heart and prevent oxidative damage of cells caused by free radicals. It is loaded with potassium and fibers that help promote lung function. Bananas are one of the fruits that people of all ages can consume. Tomatoes Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant that improves lung health, and tomatoes are full of them. They help in reducing inflammation of the airways in patients with asthma. Tomatoes boost immunity, too, as they are rich in potassium and vitamin C. In patients with severe lung conditions, doctors may recommend a change in lifestyle and antibiotics like Esbriet.