The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease, which is a disorder characterized by the body not recognizing itself, causing it to attack its own tissues and cells. Graves' disease most often affects the...

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is diagnosed by blood tests and X-rays. There is a specific blood test for the disease called rheumatoid factor, which is most often used. There are also specific doctors, rh...

Benefits for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. If you suffer from a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which is dysautonomia, you may qualify for Social Security...

In humans, the adrenal glands sit right at the top of the kidneys. The main function of these glands is to produce a number of hormones that regulate a multitude of body functions. Addison's disease...

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is typically classified as an environmental illness. The cause can include exposure to physical, biological, or chemical compounds. Some examples are gas fumes,...

Social Security identifies a traumatic brain injury (TBI) under Listing 11.18. A TBI may result in neurological and mental impairments with a wide variety of post-traumatic symptoms and signs. The rat...

Starting March 17, 2014, veterans who have a VA compensation rating of 100% permanent and total (P&T) may receive expedited processing of applications for Social Security disability benefits. What do...

How did Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) come about?  In 1980, legislation created a requirement that SSA conduct CDRs every 3 years for beneficiaries whose impairment(s) were not considered...

Avascular necrosis, or bone death (osteonecrosis), happens when an area of the bone does not get enough blood supply. Avascular necrosis causes small breaks throughout the bone structure that can...

In a fairly large percentage of cases, a person filing for disability benefits with the social security administration (in either the social security disability program or the SSI program: claims in...

Article by, Kathleen Romig Find it online at www.cbpp.org/blog/presidents-budget-would-hurt-people-with-disabilities President Trump’s 2018 budget would make it harder for millions of people with...

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterial infection resulting from the bite of a tick that is very small and often escapes...

Sjögren’s syndrome is an immune-mediated disorder of the exocrine glands. Involvement of the lacrimal and salivary glands is the hallmark feature, resulting in symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth,...

In the human circulatory system, arteries carry oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. After the oxygen has been delivered to its destination in the other organs and the extremities, the veins return...

What exactly is connective tissue disease? Connective tissue diseases are referred to as a group of medical diseases. A connective tissue disease has a primary target of the connective tissues of the...

Psoriasis, also termed, ‘psoriasis vulgaris,’ is a common, chronic, relapsing/remitting, immune-mediated skin disease characterized by red, scaly patches, papules, and plaques, which usually...

Social security myths and facts MYTH: “I was told by Social Security that even if I applied for disability and my claim is allowed, I wouldn’t be able to draw any money because I’m drawing...

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or lupus is an inflammatory auto-immune disorder that can affect any body part or only one or a combination of body parts. For example, SLE may harm joints, heart,...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects how the brain processes information. Symptoms of Autism vary in both type and degree and can develop gradually, but the...

Addison’s disease (AD) is a disorder of the endocrine system, specifically the adrenal glands, in which the affected individual’s body does not produce the right amount of hormones necessary for...

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) refers to a group of inherited disorders that involve your connective tissue. Mainly, it affects your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. Your connective tissue refers...

1. Tell all your doctors about all your symptoms.  If you have depression and you go to your primary doctor or a referral to a specialist, fill out a health questionnaire, and check “NO, you do not...

In every Social Security Disability claim the Social Security Administration (SSA) or, in this case the judge, making the final decision must determine how credible or believable the claimant is...

Being blind or having a visual impairment can be very financially taxing. Not only are there direct medical costs, such as doctor visits, medications, nursing home care and guide dogs, but there are...

Hearing Loss - Condition and Symptoms A person hears when sound waves inside the ear are converted into nerve signals that are recognized by the brain as sound. The eardrum and three bones in the...