Due to its random nature and variation in symptoms, providing evidence for MS to receive social security disability benefits is equally frustrating as seeking the initial diagnosis. This is where seeking legal assistance can help you secure the benefits you need as you try to cope with this debilitating neurological disorder.
What Is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
To make sure your claim gets approved, it’s vital for you to first understand what MS is. To do that, you also need to know the symptoms that make this serious disorder so complex.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS is a chronic neurological disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissue in our central nervous system (CNS).
Damage to the myelin or outer layer protecting our CNS’ fibers, which includes the brain, spinal cord and our optic nerves, leads to an array of terrifying symptoms. Just some of these symptoms might include fatigue, double or blurred vision, numbness, mental health decline, loss of coordination or basic motor function, memory problems and lack of focus. In some cases, symptoms could also include blindness, paralysis, or even brain tremors.
While medical experts have not yet found a genetic link to MS, there are several environmental factors that can increase the likelihood of someone developing the disease. Most individuals who develop MS tend to be between the ages of 20 and 50, female, live far from the equator, and have a caucasian background. Those who do not fall under these factors in age, geographical, gender or ethnic background are immune to MS, but instead are less likely to develop it.
Each case of MS varies from person-to-person over time. In total, there are four stages that multiple sclerosis patients are categorized in to, based on their progression of their symptoms:
- The first sign involves preliminary neurological symptoms caused by inflammation and deterioration of the central nervous system.
- The second stage involves the returning or worsening flare-ups of MS symptoms over time, particularly after a period of remission. This might include new symptoms of the disease too.
- The third stage involves symptoms continuing to worsen along with new MRI activity.
- Symptoms will render the sufferer into a state of disability due to the severe progression of symptoms. This often includes fewer or no longer any relapses or remissions of the disease.
