Stroke treatments in the future could be significantly better than they are now, thanks to research that has found a new way to safely remove clots in patients.
Doctors currently treat stroke by using an infusion which removes the blood clots by dissolving them. However, patients who are given this treatment stand a risk of swelling in the brain and excessive bleeding. In addition, patients must receive the infusion within three hours of suffering the stroke for the treatment to be effective.
However, researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston are using a drug combination that will potentially improve outcomes for stroke patients. The researchers conducted tests on mice, and found that when the mice were given the new treatment, there was a drop in bleeding levels, lowered swelling in the brain, and limited brain damage, compared to animals that were not given the treatment.
The Social Security Administration does consider claims for disability benefits based on a stroke. However, merely suffering a stroke does not qualify a person for benefits. The person must have suffered impairment that the agency believes has lasted, or is expected to last, for a minimum of 12 months. The SSA Blue Book requires that the person has suffered severe impairment in the area of the brain that controls writing or speaking, and has also severely impaired ability to control and coordinate movements.
Even if a person does not qualify under this listing, he or she may have their claim approved if it involves vision problems or hearing loss.
If you need help for a family member who has suffered a stroke, contact the office of Lisa Smith Siegel, Attorney at Law. Lisa has been helping clients and families for more than 27 years and represents people across the state of Georgia.