Living with cancer is not an easy task. fibromyalgiaIt can be very debilitating and painful. The stigma surrounding whether this is a real illness persists.
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA), which surveyed 33,000 adults, found that fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects 10 million Americans. However, only 1 in 3 people have heard of it.
It is a real disease. According to the AOA:
Patients are afraid to address fibromyalgia symptoms because they fear being accused “faking it.”
“Fibromyalgia is a very common condition where the muscle, bone and tissue don’t function properly with one another. But not a lot of people know about it,”Jennifer Caudle (DO), an AOA board-certified family physician in osteopathic medicine in Philadelphia. “It
generally consists of chronic
pain, sometimes debilitating pain, and often this pain comes with other symptoms of fibromyalgia — such as fatigue, headache, insomnia, depression and anxiety. It can be difficult to get out of bed and go to work.”
The AOA is a professional association for osteopathic doctors. Also known as DOs like Dr. Caudle and DOs alike, it encourages patients to have better communication with their physicians. Fibromyalgia sufferers typically experience three years of symptoms before they are diagnosed. They also visit three doctors before getting a definitive diagnosis. Dr. Caudle emphasizes the importance and value of support.
“Patients can live normal, healthy lives with the support of family and friends, as well as a physician, like a DO, who is
willing to work with them one-on-one to effectively manage the
condition through patient-centered, individualized care,”Dr. Caudle also recommends the following tips to treat fibromyalgia
patients:
* Analyze your lifestyle. Keep track of all your treatments, medications, and exercise routines. Examine how your symptoms impact your daily life and consider possible treatments.
* Visit a DO. Osteopathic physicians are fully licensed, just like MDs, but their medical training gives them a unique perspective for treating fibromyalgia because they focus on treating the whole person. Osteopathic manipulative treatments can also be offered by DOs. This involves using the hands and fingers to treat, prevent and treat illness and injury.
* Record your symptoms. Identify the symptoms that you feel, and how often they occur. Describe what you feel and how severe they are. The 60 Day Action Plan is a great way to stay organized and on top of your game. www.osteopathic.org/fibro.
Today’s life is very fast. The rise of digital technology has allowed people to communicate with each other via the internet and simultaneously check their children’s soccer scores. With the advent of the Internet, consumers can expect the same conveniences from all services and businesses except their insurance companies. For many people struggling to pay their medical bills, this can seem like a long wait, even though 98 percent of claims for health insurance are processed in 30 days.
As nearly two-thirds American households earn less than 2002, being insured isn’t enough. It is important to find out how fast and easy your insurance company processes and pays claims. This is critical for both financial recovery and physical recovery.
Recent research found that 66% would not be able to adjust to the high financial cost of serious illnesses or injuries. Only 49% of workers have over $1,000 to pay out-of-pocket costs. Employers are being forced to take cost-saving measures due to rising health care costs, which is putting even more financial pressure on employees.
* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.
* Increasing employees’ share of premium.
* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.
A lot of people will have to wait for up to a few months before receiving their insurance payments. Many insurance companies strive to provide fast service with better technology and better understanding of customers’ needs. This is just one example. AflacIt is almost rare for insurance companies to offer policies that include claims processing, approval, and payment in a single day.
Fast payment policies are no longer luxury items of the past. It is a necessity in today’s world. It’s vital to have funds readily available for serious illness or injury. Your insurance company should be able to respond quickly.
Aflac’s One Day Pay Promise can be found at aflac.com/onedaypay.
