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Diabetes mellitus is a condition that results from the body's inability to use blood glucose for energy – and it's a disability. Unfortunately, diabetes mellitus has recently been removed from the Social Security Disability list of impairments. This doesn't mean that people with diabetes cannot be found disabled. It just means that we have to focus more sharply on the often severe limitations imposed by this disease.
Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes requires that you carefully monitor blood sugar levels to minimize fluctuations. Continued vigilance and strict adherence to a perpetual, multi-faceted and demanding treatment regimen are necessities when you have diabetes. Diabetes sufferers may inject insulin, follow a diabetic diet, exercise daily and test their blood sugar several times a day.
If a blood test shows a drop in glucose levels, you must stop all other activities and consume the kinds of foods that will bring your sugar levels back up to normal. Unless you act quickly, you may experience periods of dizziness, weakness, loss of ability to think or concentrate on work. It may even result in losing consciousness (or passing out). Conversely, spikes in blood glucose levels can cause equally adverse consequences.
Sometimes, this rigid schedule makes being both an insulin-dependent diabetic and a productive worker impossible. When your diabetes disability keeps you out of the workforce, you may be able to get Social Security Disability benefits.