Thursday, May 9, 2013

Diabetes Support Groups in Pensacola and Escambia County Area

If you have diabetes and are looking for a diabetes support group, then you may wish to contact one of the following support groups at each of our areas three major hospitals:

Baptist Hospital
The Diabetes Education Center
1000 W. Moreno Street
Pensacola, FL, 32501
850-434-4747

Sacred Heart Health System
The Outpatient Center for Adult Diabetes Education and The Center for Inpatient Pediatric Education
5151 N. 9th Avenue
Pensacola, FL, 32504
850-416-7261

West Florida Regional Medical Center
The Diabetes Center Education and Management Program
8383 North Davis Highway
Pensacola, FL, 32514
850-494-4950

Diabetes and Disability:  If you have diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) that is so severe that it keeps you from working, then you may be eligible for Social Security Disability. The Ortiz Law Firm offers free case evaluations to see if you may qualify for benefits. Call 850-308-7833 for an appointment.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Do You Have Fibromyalgia?

If you have fibromyalgia, you are being invited to participate in a research study regarding the debilitating condition from researchers at Oregon Health & Science University.

The purpose of the study is to determine the use of mindfulness practices (how you think and react to your thoughts) among others diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

A link to the online-based survey is at the bottom of this page.  It will take about 10 minutes to complete.

You will not personally benefit from being in the study. However, by serving as a subject, you may help the University learn how to treat and benefit patients in the future.

Clicking onto the link below will lead you to the research survey and more study information.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WB9M5RF

Thursday, January 10, 2013

NFL Player Suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Scientists analyzed the brain tissue of NFL linebacker Junior Seau after his suicide last year and have concluded that the football player suffered a debilitating brain disease likely caused by years of hits to the head.

In May 2012, Seau shot himself in the chest at his home, leaving behind four children and many questions. Seau's family donated his brain to neuroscientists at the National Institutes for Health who are conducting ongoing research on traumatic brain injury and football players.

A team of independent researchers who did not know they were studying Seau's brain all concluded he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease typically caused by multiple hits to the head. Dr. Russell Lonser, chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Ohio State University, led the study of Seau's brain while he was at NIH. Dr. Lonser stated, "What was found in Junior Seau's brain was cellular changes consistent with CTE."

CTE can only be diagnosed after death. However, those who suffer from the condition display symptoms such as impulsivity, forgetfulness, depression, and sometimes suicidal ideation.  Seau's family described to ABC News and ESPN a long descent into depression in the years leading up to his death. Gina Seau, his ex-wife, said the football player had difficulty sleeping and became withdrawn and "detached emotionally" from his children. He himself described his mood as "low" and "dark."

Of note is the fact that more than 30 NFL players have in recent years been diagnosed with CTE, a condition once known as "punch drunk" because it affected boxers who had taken multiple blows to the head.

Last year, some 4,000 retired players filed lawsuits against the league over its alleged failure to protect players from brain injuries. The NFL has said it did not intentionally hide the dangers of concussions from players and is doing everything it can now to protect them.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Support Group Information for Osteonecrosis and Avascular Necrosis

Osteonecrosis occurs when poor blood supply to the subject area causes bone death.  It is most common in the hip joints and shoulder joints, but can affect other large joints such as the knees, elbows, wrists and ankles.

Osteonecrosis is also known as the following alternative names:
  • Avascular necrosis
  • Osteonecrosis; 
  • Ischemic bone necrosis; 
  • AVN; and
  • Aseptic necrosis
You can find more information and support resources with the following organizations and support groups:
In the most severe cases, osteonecrosis can cause debilitating pain and restricted movement in the joints.  This may cause those with avascular necrosis to file for social security disability.

Those who have LTD benefits through an employer may have questions about filing for long term disability with avascular necrosis.

If you have been denied Social Security or Long Term Disability benefits, call The Ortiz Law Firm at 850-308-7833.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Patient Voices: Epilepsy Patients Discuss Their Seizure Conditions

The New York Times has a section of its website called "Patient Voices: Epilepsy". As stated on the site, more than 3 million individuals in the United States have some form of epilepsy.

Seizures come in various forms, typically divided between Gran Mal seizures and Petit Mal seizures.  Patients suffering from epilepsy commonly cope with similar issues such as social stigma, complex treatment options and a general feeling of powerlessness. In the above link, eight men, women and children discuss what it's like to live with epilepsy.
 Individuals with severe epilepsy may also be eligible for disability benefits.  To learn more about epilepsy and long term disability benefits, visit www.nickortizLaw.com.   To learn more about epilepsy and Social Security disability, contact The Ortiz Law Firm at 850-308-7833.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Robert Griffin III Sufferes Horrible Knee Injury

Watched today's NFL game between the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks. The rookie sensation quarterback for the Redskins, Robert Griffin III (aka RGIII or RG3), suffered a horrible knee injury and was finally taken out of the game.  It appeared to many who watched the game, including me, that he should not have been in the game as he was playing injured.

Going into the game he had a lateral collateral ligament (LCL).  Sure, he worked on rehabbing the knee through physical therapy and wore a knee brace in the game, but he still twisted his knee in a gut-wrenching fashion during a bad snap.

I genuinely hope his knee injury does not keep him disabled for too long. He has been fun to watch this season. 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Sacred Heart Hospital is Offering Free Tobacco-Cessation Classes in January 2013

Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, is offering a free, six-week tobacco-cessation program beginning January 15 and January 17 to help people "kick the habit" to get them to stop smoking or using tobacco.

Quit Smoking Now (QSN) provides structured classes in a supportive, stress- free environment. Tobacco users will learn how to replace their nicotine habit with healthy alternatives.

The two-hour classes will be offered on Tuesday nights beginning January 15th, from 6 to 8 p.m. The classes are also offered Thursday mornings beginning January 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Classes will be in the Carmel Heights Building on the Sacred Heart Hospital campus. The Carmel Heights Building is on Carmel Heights Drive near the Pediatric Care Center.

A new series of classes will begin every seven weeks. To register for the tobacco-cessation classes, or for more information, you can call 416-7764.

Smoking can cause severe lung and heart problems.  If you are a smoker and have a disability relating to your history of smoking, such as cardiovascular or heart disease, you should consider speaking with an attorney to discuss your possible entitlement to Social Security disability.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Sacred Heart Offers Free Heart Health Screenings

Sacred Heart Health System is providing free heart-health screenings throughout the month of January 2013. One location in Pensacola will be dedicated to bone-density testing for detection of osteoporosis.

Heart-health screenings measure blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol and screen for anemia.

These screenings are helpful in diagnosing conditions that put people at high risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other health problems.

Here is the Mission in Motion schedule for January:
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at Gull Point Community Center, 7000 Spanish Trail Drive. Heart-health screenings. • 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 12 at Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church, 201 W. Leonard St. Bone-density testing only.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 15 at Beulah Senior Center, 7425 Woodside Road, Beulah. Heart-health screenings.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 16 at Milestone Aquatic Center, 35 New Market Court, Cantonment. Heart-health screenings.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 17 at Century Senior Center, 6025 Industrial Blvd., Century. Heart-health screenings.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 22 at Loaves & Fishes, 257 E. Lee St. Heart-health screenings.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 24 at the Waterfront Bargain Center, 4467 Avalon Blvd., Milton. Heart-health screenings.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 1 St. Francis Drive, Gulf Breeze. Heart-health screenings.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 29 at First Presbyterian Church, 309 E. 21st Ave., Gulf Shores, Ala. Heart-health screenings.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 30 at Bagdad Community Center, 6860 Pooley St., Bagdad. Heart-health screenings.
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 31 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 100 Daniel Drive, Gulf Breeze. Heart-health screenings.

For more information, about Mission in Motion call 416-7826.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Leg Pain: Peripheral Aterial Disease and Varicose Veins

On Monday, January 21, 2013, at 6:00p.m., there will be a "Dinner With The Doc" with Aaron Montgomery, M.D. at the Santa Rosa Medical Center.

The presentation is entitled "Leg Pain: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Varicose Veins.

Dr. Montgomery is a board-certified diagnostic, vascular and interventional radiologist.

The presentation will be in the Education Building, located directly behind the hospital.

Dinner will be provided.

You can RSVP at 626-5113.

Peripheral arterial disease can be a disabling condition. If you have PAD and are applying for Social Security disability, or if you have peripheral arterial disease and have a long term disability claim, and have any legal questions, you can contact Mr. Ortiz at 850-308-7833.

New Year Resolutions

One of my resolutions is to do a better job in keeping up to date in my posts! Thus, look for more posts on this blog.  I intend for this blog to announce events relevant to the medical and disability community.  Please let me know if you are aware of any upcoming medical events that need to be mentioned!