Disability Benefits For Bronchiectasis

What Are the Complications of Bronchiectasis? 

Bronchiectasis is a critical lung condition that can lead to permanent damage to the lungs’ bronchial tubes. It often occurs as a result of damage to the muscle and tissue in the lungs’ passageways, which are often called bronchi. 

The damaged air passageways can affect the lungs and lead to infections or airway blockages. As of now, there is no cure for this disorder. However, the condition can be managed, and the symptoms can be controlled.

Contact a disability attorney to discuss your situation in detail. They can tell you what you need to know about the law and help you secure the disability benefits that you need. It can be valuable to hire a legal professional for assistance.

What Are the Common Causes of Bronchiectasis? 

Lung infections and injuries can lead to this disorder. It can be categorized into two types: 

1. CF bronchiectasis, also referred to as cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, is a genetic condition that can lead to the irregular production of mucus.
2. Non-CF bronchiectasis is a non-hereditary condition. 

Common conditions that can lead to non-CF bronchiectasis include:

• Immunodeficiency disorders
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency 
• Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• Allergic aspergillosis
• Other lung infections, such as whooping cough and tuberculosis

Common Bronchiectasis Symptoms 

The symptoms of bronchiectasis can take several months or even years to develop. An individual diagnosed with the condition may experience the following symptoms: 

• Chest pain 
• Discomfort in the chest
• Weight loss
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Wheezing in the chest with breathing
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• Chronic daily cough
• Coughing up blood
• Clubbing of the fingernails and toenails
• Respiratory infections

If you encounter any of these symptoms, you should discuss them with your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Delaying treatment of bronchiectasis can lead to critical conditions down the road. 

Can It Be Cured?

There is no cure for this disorder, and early detection is important for managing it with appropriate treatments. It is a long-term, life-threatening condition that may affect the quality of an individual’s life permanently. If your healthcare professional says they believe that your condition will be long-lasting and become worse as time goes on, you can file a claim for disability for bronchiectasis.

A person who has been diagnosed with bronchiectasis should consider adopting the following healthy practices to decrease their risk of complications and control their symptoms: 

• Walk regularly
• Stay hydrated
• Stop smoking
• Eat a balanced healthy diet
• Take medications that relax the airways 
• Practice breathing exercises 
• Avoid coming into contact with people who are ill

Complications of Bronchiectasis

Over time, the symptoms of bronchiectasis may worsen, and the condition can lead to various complications. Here are some of the critical complications that may require immediate attention and hospitalization. 

1. Respiratory malfunction

Here are some of the early signs of respiratory malfunction that you should never ignore.

• Sleepiness
• Bluish skin and lips
• The constant need for more air
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing

1. Atelectasis

When one lung area fails to inhale correctly, the patient may experience this condition and the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Fever
• Cough
• Rapid breathing 
• Rapid increase in heart rate
• Bluish lips and skin

1. Heart failure

Over time, bronchiectasis can damage the respiratory organs and raise the risk of critical heart conditions. 

Is Bronchiectasis a Disability? 

Many individuals who are suffering from the condition struggle to perform their daily activities. There is no cure available for bronchiectasis, which makes it even more challenging for those diagnosed with the condition. If your situation is difficult, you may consider pursuing disability benefits for bronchiectasis. The condition is officially listed in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Blue Book. 

To meet the SSI eligibility criteria, you must have evidence that proves your diagnosis and that you have undergone treatment. Additionally, you must meet the below-mentioned criteria to be eligible. 

• The patient must experience impaired lung function, which significantly affects their lung capacity.
• The patient must experience episodes of bronchitis, pneumonia, or respiratory malfunction that are critical and require hospitalization. 

Patients who are suffering from this condition must present their medical records from at least the past 12 months as evidence to support their claims about the severity of the disease. The documents must show how frequently these episodes occur and the negative impact on the individual’s health. All the symptoms must be comprehensively documented so that nothing is missing in the report. 

Can You Get Disability Benefits for Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is a severe medical condition that has the potential to lead to severe complications. One can seek disability benefits as a means of financial support if they cannot work. The SSA will evaluate your medical documents and records to determine whether the severity of your condition would make you eligible for benefits. Here are the documents that may be required for you to prove the severity of your disabling condition:

• Written notes from healthcare professionals and specialists
• Prescription history and treatment record
• Hospital bills 
• Chest X-rays and other test reports

Providing all documents that the SSA requires can increase your chances of securing approval for the benefits you need.

If your bronchiectasis has progressed to the point at which your symptoms are disabling and you can no longer earn a living, it is time to contact a disability attorney. Your attorney can help you determine whether you may qualify for benefits.