Long-Term Disability and Migraines

Millions of Americans suffer from migraine headaches each year. Some people only get them occasionally, but others are victims of chronic, frequent migraines that noticeably diminish their ability to perform the work duties and responsibilities. Because of this limitation, those who suffer from disabling migraines may qualify for individual or group long-term disability benefits.

If you or someone you love is trying to provide for themselves and their family through terrible migraines, a Philadelphia long-term disability lawyer can help ensure you receive the help you need.

What Causes Migraines?

Migraines are a form of severe headaches that can last for several hours or sometimes for days on end. They are often accompanied by sensitivity to sound and light, nausea, blurred vision, vomiting, and even debilitating fatigue.

Doctors don’t know what exactly causes migraines, but believe them to be neurological in nature and originating from the brain stem. There are various possible triggers, including:

 

• Age

 

 

• Food

 

 

• Alcohol

 

 

• Family history
  

 

• Hormonal changes

 

 

Migraines are normally self-reported, meaning that physicians provide a diagnosis based on the patient’s reported symptoms, instead of from the results of an objective test. In an individual files a long-term disability claim for their migraines, the insurance company will want convincing proof and medical evidence such as a diagnostic test, or other persuasive indication that shows you have a defined medical condition preventing you from performing the duties of your occupation.

Instead of denying claims based on self reported conditions right away, many individual or group long-term disability insurers restrict the length of time that a person can receive benefits by periods of 12, 18, or 24 months.

How To Track Your Migraine Pain

After you have visited your doctor, a great next step to help defend your disability claim it to keep a pain and headache journal, where you track:

 

• Dates and number of hours you had to miss work or couldn’t perform key duties of your occupation (due to migraines)
  

 

• Length and severity of each migraine, along with any other symptoms you experienced (light and sound sensitivity, nausea, etc.)
  

 

• Effects on your daily life, even minor inconveniences
  

• Documenting the intensity, frequency, and potency of your migraines is very important to keep and constantly update

Why You Should Keep Seeing Your Doctor After Being Diagnosed

You may have suffered from migraines for years, and your treating doctor may have diagnosed you with migraine headaches sometime in the past. However, you still should see your treating doctor, especially if your migraines’ severity, intensity, or frequency has increased. Insurance companies want to see preventative medicines prescribed, coupled with with abortive medicines for when migraines hit.

Remember that there is no objective, established test for migraine headaches. Your treating doctor can only diagnose you using information from the symptoms you personally describe. You should tell your treating doctor everything, while carefully relaying even your minor problems. It may also be in your best interest to discuss with them whether any tests may rule out underlying causes. Your treating doctor may prescribe medication or other treatments that might help reduce or prevent your migraines.

Long-Term Disability Attorney

If migraines prevent you from performing the duties of your job or from simply functioning normally in everyday life, schedule a free claim consultation or disability policy analysis with the Disability Lawyers at Edelstein Martin & Nelson. One of our Pennsylvania disability lawyers will gladly assist you in securing the results you deserve. Contact us today at (215) 731-9900 to learn more about your options, and get started on the road to victory.

The post Long-Term Disability and Migraines appeared first on Philadelphia Disability Insurance Lawyer.