Disability in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Today, many people strive to obtain the status of "disabled". From a medical and psychological point of view, disability in diabetes is a little unclear, and raises a number of questions. After all, the consequences of diabetes, despite all their seriousness and complexity of treatment, often do not limit a person's viability completely, and do not make him dependent on another person. Although there are such cases that, of course, require registration of disability. One way or another, diabetes is one of those diseases for which disability is registered. Basically, the status of a disabled person helps patients adapt to living conditions, especially in severe forms, provides an appropriate level of protection and guarantees, material and medical benefits, makes some social services and payments available. In any case, this topic is always considered in two ways and requires careful analysis, serious consideration.

Diabetes mellitus entails many inconveniences and complications and may require disability. It is accompanied by elevated blood glucose levels, which in turn negatively affects the overall health of the body. First of all, carbohydrate metabolism is disrupted, cholesterol and metabolic products accumulate in the body. This entails disruption of other metabolic links (protein, fat, vitamin and mineral metabolism). Gradually, the entire biochemical cycle and hormonal balance in the body are disrupted. And often the changes become irreversible. Diabetes often ends in complete loss of ability to work and disability.

It is important to understand that diabetes is a relative indication for disability. There are a number of circumstances under which disability may be granted or denied. The decision is made by a medical commission based on a number of criteria. The disease is characterized by many manifestations, various forms and complications. There are many benefits for those who suffer from diabetes, depending on the severity of the condition and the degree of loss of working capacity.

So, it is important to understand that diabetes has a number of specific manifestations. It is not enough for the analysis to show a high glucose level. Glucose is a monomer of carbohydrates, it is this substance that all carbohydrates, both simple and complex, are broken down into during digestion. Therefore, for example, if a person consumes a large amount of carbohydrates, or carbohydrates prevail over other components in his food, the blood test will show a high glucose level. These are the so-called physiological changes in glucose levels, which can fluctuate during the day. The level also increases after eating a large amount of sweets, after a heavy dinner, with impaired renal function, when they are not able to fully process incoming substances. This condition is observed during pregnancy, with severe stress.

In order to establish a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, it is necessary to confirm a reliably high level of glucose in the blood (namely glucose, but not other sugars). It is also necessary that the elevated glucose level is repeated regularly. Confirmation is required at least three times. It is also necessary to have other signs that are used in the course of differential diagnostics. It is also necessary to understand that not every confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is a reason for registering a disability.

The simplest forms of diabetes can be successfully controlled for a fairly long period of time with the help of medications, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and this will not affect either the health or the ability to work of a person. The most favorable in the course is diabetes type 2. If you are treated correctly, follow all the doctor's recommendations, stick to a healthy diet, perform adequate physical activity (therapeutic exercise), you can remove this diagnosis after some time and return to an absolutely healthy state. The second type is the simplest, easily corrected, practically does not disturb the comfort of a person (subject to proper treatment), therefore, with this form of the disease, disability is not given.

Do they give disability benefits for diabetes?

It is impossible to give a clear answer to the question: "do they give disability for diabetes mellitus", since the decision is individual. The basis for awarding a person with disability is the decision of the medical and social commission, which analyzes the patient's medical history, data, current condition, progression of pathology, and degree of disability.

Diabetes Disability Act

The conducted monitoring of the population's condition in relation to morbidity indicates that the level of prevention in the territory of the Russian Federation is clearly insufficient. Thus, it has been established that in the territory of the Russian Federation the level of awareness of the population in matters of diabetes prevention is insufficient. Also, people do not know enough about the risk factors that contribute to the development of the disease. Many medical institutions, and the patients themselves, underestimate the effectiveness of prevention and its importance.

Also quite significant is the problem associated with the need to identify risk factors in relatives of people suffering from diabetes, since they are among the first to fall into the risk group for developing this disease. This is a fairly large group that is primarily at risk of being exposed to this disease, since the disease is primarily based on heredity.

Also at risk are adolescents and children suffering from obesity, as well as those who have recently recovered from an illness, especially if this concerns viral and bacteriological diseases. It is also necessary to examine pregnant women for diabetes and its precursors, since they experience particularly intense hormonal changes, which can lead to additional metabolic disorders.

In addition, pregnant women often have a tendency to abuse sweets, which can also cause a serious disruption of carbohydrate metabolism in the body. As a result, corresponding hormonal disruptions occur, followed by disruption of the pancreas and, accordingly, a failure in insulin synthesis.

The risk of developing hormonal imbalances also increases during childbirth, especially if they are pathological and require the use of any pharmaceuticals. This is due to the fact that a woman's body is vulnerable and practically unprotected during childbirth. Any external intervention can lead to serious changes in the main systems of the body. The need for a cesarean section also has a negative effect on a woman's hormonal background.

The need to implement special programs to combat diabetes is also confirmed by the fact that there are a large number of undetected forms of diabetes, and people do not know what factors are the precursors of diabetes development. If you know what factors are the first precursors, you can seek medical help in a timely manner and detect the disease at an early stage, which is the most important condition for its effective treatment. Therefore, it makes sense to implement and control the mandatory medical examination, especially for people who fall into the risk group.

Thus, today a single law on disability that would regulate the specifics of supervising patients with diabetes has not been developed. But there are a number of developments and regulations in this direction. In particular, the procedure for issuing disability, providing financial assistance, and benefits is strictly regulated. Programs and algorithms for treatment, prevention of diabetes, rehabilitation, and diabetes schools are being developed.

How to get disability benefits for diabetes?

In order to get disability for diabetes, you need to know how to do it. It turns out that you need to submit a number of documents to the VKK, which will review the documents for a certain period of time.

To get approval, the anamnesis should have a combination of certain disease factors, and not just high glucose levels. For example, complete loss of vision, which occurred because diabetes entailed a violation of the trophism of the eye, a decrease in its innervation, blood circulation. This can occur due to the fact that the optic nerve does not receive the residual amount of nutrients, oxygen, its innervation is disrupted, the vessels are depleted, the normal functional, and even structural state of the retina is disrupted. Destruction occurs under the influence of high glucose levels in the blood vessels, in the eyes themselves. Of course, under such circumstances, a person completely loses the ability to help himself, to self-service and move, and is completely dependent on others.

The second case in which a person can be given a first-group disability is if diabetes creates an increased load on the kidneys. As a result, they cannot fully perform their functions. As a rule, such people have a filtration disorder, metabolic products are not excreted. Toxins accumulate, intoxication occurs. Such a patient may need dialysis, that is, undergo artificial kidney cleansing.

The third case is complications to the heart, which arose as a result of high blood glucose levels. The first group is given to a person who has acute heart failure as a complication, in which the muscle experiences serious strain and adapts to it with difficulty. As a rule, a person in such a condition has "jumping" blood pressure. It is difficult to stabilize, there is a risk of developing further complications.

The fourth reason is neuropathy, which is a complication of diabetes. In this condition, a person has a disrupted transmission of impulses between neurons, which leads to a decrease or complete loss of sensitivity, entails numbness, paralysis of the limbs. This can lead to progressive paralysis. In addition, the risk that a person's sensitivity and coordination of movements may be disrupted increases significantly, as a result of which he may fall, injure himself, or completely lose mobility.

This also includes mental disorders, nervous diseases, various dermatological and muscular-articular changes (involving the limbs). The condition can progress to complete loss of sensitivity, gangrene, amputation.

If a person has critically low glucose levels, he or she may become comatose and not respond to insulin.

The grounds for receiving the 2nd group are in many ways similar to those for the 1st, but it is assumed that the condition is not so critical, and remission is possible, stabilization of the condition, in which a person can calmly be in society, work. Such a person needs outside care only partially. It is also necessary to observe the work and rest regime, work in specially equipped conditions, avoid stress and overwork, hypothermia.

The third group implies that there is a high level of glucose, insulin and some medications are required, but otherwise the person remains an active member of society, is able to work, but requires retraining. It is given if a person cannot receive such retraining without a disability.

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How to apply for disability benefits due to diabetes?

Let's take a closer look at how to apply for disability due to diabetes. To obtain disability due to diabetes, it is enough to contact your attending physician, local therapist (at your place of residence). The doctor will give you a referral for a special examination, and he will explain the plan for further actions. You need to pass the prescribed tests, and see the necessary specialists. As a rule, the list of tests is standard for assigning any disability group, regardless of the underlying disease. After a preliminary examination has been conducted, a preliminary diagnosis has been made, the documents will be sent to the medical and social commission for review.

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Disability groups for diabetes

There are three disability groups (not only for diabetes), which are not determined by the disease a person suffers from. With diabetes, there is a violation of carbohydrate metabolism, but everything is fine with the external organs. A person retains the physical ability to perform a certain physical load. Only if diabetes entails complications, as a result of which a person's external organs are impaired, mobility and physical activity are limited, can the commission consider this case.

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Disability group 3 due to diabetes

The first group implies that a person cannot take care of himself. Most often, regular, systematic medical care is required. It is implied that a person has a disruption in the normal condition of external organs and body parts, due to which the person is unable to cope with everyday affairs. For example, a person does not have an arm, leg, or other body parts, and paralysis develops.

The grounds for registration of the second group are if a person has a certain serious condition, he is in a borderline, relatively dangerous condition, but has not reached a critical level. This is a borderline condition, which, although it significantly limits a person's life activity, still does not deprive him of his ability to work and a full life. Thus, it is implied that such a person may have periods of remission alternate with periods of exacerbation. Therefore, a person is forced to periodically "drop out" of public life. At this time, he needs treatment, rehabilitation, help from outsiders. Accordingly, during the period of remission, the condition improves, and the person can again fully participate in public life. The commission considers the cases of such patients, and if it establishes that the disease has already reached a certain peak, but the probability of remission remains, the group will be approved.

Reasons for registration of the 3rd group of disability for diabetes - if the underlying disease has reached its peak, which has led to the development of complications, disrupted the normal functioning of the body. Such a condition can significantly change the normal functioning of the body, affect the usual rhythm of a person's life. As for social life, a person's performance will be sharply limited, or completely reduced. Perhaps a person will need a completely different level of stress, or a complete change in qualifications will be required, since special working conditions are required.

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Disability in diabetes mellitus type 2

For type 2 diabetes, disability is not given, since it is enough to adjust nutrition and adhere to the correct diet. Therefore, disability can only be given to those diagnosed with type 1, since assistance is provided exclusively for medications. A person needs insulin to enter the body, since it is not synthesized independently. At the same time, several stages are distinguished here. A person can take insulin according to a certain scheme, receive the necessary treatment, and his life will still be full and unclouded. The only thing that such a person may need is social assistance in the form of additional benefits for insulin, medications and test strips needed to determine the level of glucose in the blood.

Disability in type 1 diabetes

As for type 1 diabetes, a person partially loses their ability to work, disability is not always necessary. They always depend on other people. It is important to understand that this form is incurable. After the commission confirms the presence of complications from diabetes, it will be necessary to collect all the necessary documents and submit them to experts for review. The list of documents is determined by the patient's age, social status, and examination results. For example, for a schoolchild, worker, or pensioner, the list of documents will be different. After the experts review all the documents, study the medical history, his current condition, either a positive decision or a refusal will be issued.

Disability in diabetes for a child

The need to register a disability is especially relevant for children, since they often need outside help and constant supervision from their parents. Such children cannot be sent to a kindergarten, or a specialized kindergarten is required, where the child can be provided with the necessary qualified assistance, there will always be an opportunity to inject insulin, and strictly control the time of injection. Such a child cannot be left without adult supervision.

In addition, due to constant illnesses, periodic deterioration of the condition, the child may often miss classes, may need free attendance, or home schooling, an individual approach. Therefore, a special status is needed that will allow the child to receive an individual approach, to study without constant negative attitude from teachers, administration. In general, it is impossible to give unambiguous recommendations, since the decision is made individually. In any case, disability in diabetes can significantly help the child.

It is possible to obtain a special status and special benefits intended for people with diabetes. This includes all children under 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. But this special status can be revised if the child has reached 14 years of age and is able to control his or her actions and bear responsibility. Disability is cancelled if the Commission has determined that the child needs outside help more and can provide all the necessary help to himself or herself. But a mandatory condition is that the child must complete a diabetic school and must demonstrate the ability to inject insulin.

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Disability due to complications of diabetes

But there are circumstances in which a person loses his ability to work, he develops an extremely serious condition, severe complications. Then this is the basis for disability. Vascular pathologies appear. The fact remains that large vessels are always subject to damage, such as the coronary arteries of the heart, various parts of the aorta, arteries of the brain, lower and upper limbs. The consequence of the formation of atherosclerotic deposits is the formation of a thrombus in the vessel wall. Its danger is that when torn off, the vessel can be blocked and blood flow can be sharply limited. It is at this stage of atherosclerosis that many patients develop coronary heart disease.

Another complication of diabetes is angina. Thus, angina manifests itself as pain or discomfort in the chest area, arising as a result of myocardial ischemia. In this case, the myocardium's need for oxygen significantly exceeds its supply.

The pathognomonic symptom of angina pectoris is pain.

Diagnosis is often based on the identification of this symptom.

Typical angina is characterized by retrosternal pain. Often there is irradiation of pain to the shoulder areas, shoulder blades. In more severe cases, irradiation to the limbs (one or both) may be observed, with the capture of the area of the hands and fingers. It may be accompanied by numbness of the limbs, affected areas. Specific changes are not detected.

Associated pathology may include chronic heart failure, atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels, coronary vessels, and peripheral arteries. Angina is often observed in obesity. An attack of angina is accompanied by auscultation of transient mitral regurgitation.

Severe cases may be accompanied by pulmonary edema.

Such conditions develop over a long period of time, these are systemic disorders, quite serious, affecting the entire body. Therefore, there is no hope for recovery. Cases of death from diabetes are not excluded (according to WHO data, approximately 2 million people die from diabetes in the world every year). The lack of qualified assistance entails a violation of metabolic processes, which are often not subject to restoration.

It is a factor predisposing to the development of oncological diseases. As a rule, it ends in death (extremely painful and agonizing). Therefore, in case of complications of diabetes, disability is almost always indicated.

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Permanent disability due to diabetes

It is important to understand that a disability group is a benefit that has a temporary limitation. There is no such thing as permanent disability in principle, at least. Therefore, it will be necessary to periodically confirm the group, that is, undergo examinations, collect documents, and re-submit them for consideration to the Commission. Based on the results, the group can be changed or completely canceled. If there are no grounds for this, the group is simply extended. Disability may be denied if a person does not undergo treatment, does not follow the doctor's recommendations, or the rehabilitation plan.

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Disability pension for diabetes

The main thing that people receive when they register as disabled due to diabetes is a disability pension, targeted assistance from the state to those who are sick. This is due to the fact that people suffering from diabetes often need constant insulin injections, the cost of which is quite high for patients. It should be taken into account that most patients with a history of diabetes are at an average level of financial status and need help. This applies to type 1 diabetes.

Children are almost always given a group. For them, in addition to the actual medications, they are given a disability pension, since an adult must be present with the child at all times. Accordingly, only one parent can work, or it is necessary to hire a nurse, a medical worker or a nanny. They also give benefits, allocate separate benefits for treatment, examination, sanatorium treatment, consultation in specialized medical, diagnostic centers.

A special orthopedic quota and various preventive measures are issued. Often, benefits for utilities and the opportunity for free education at universities are provided. Often, land plots are issued for the needs of the child, and mortgage benefits are given. And most importantly, all the necessary materials, medicines, means of monitoring and measuring sugar are provided, and the necessary information and consultations are also provided. Depending on the region, the list of services may vary slightly, but the base remains. Also, an important role is given to diabetic schools, where the patient is taught to provide assistance, cope with the condition, and is presented with fresh information on the topic.

In general, the decision is up to the patient. You should always take into account the fact that all matters related to the execution of documents in our country require nerves and time. And you can also get a refusal. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully weigh all the advantages and disadvantages, and make an adequate, balanced decision about whether you really need disability for diabetes.

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