Endo Battery Fast Charged: EP 8 Endometriosis and Disability

Welcome to Endobattery Fast Charged, a series dedicated to keeping you informed and empowered in the realm of endometriosis. Teaming up with board-certified patient advocates, we bring you the latest articles, research and insights to equip you with accurate information and a deeper understanding. Whether you're expanding your knowledge, staying updated or seeking clarity, you're in the right place. I'm your host, alana, and this is Endobattery Fast Charged charging and empowering your life with knowledge. Welcome back to Endobattery Fast Charged. We're diving deep into the research on how endometriosis wrecks havoc on those affected by it in their daily lives. And hey, let's not forget the bizarre fact that not recognizing it as a disability can turn anyone's world upside down. We'll also take a peek into the challenges faced by our physically diverse pals. As a friendly reminder, though, correlation does not always equal causation, so grab your cup of coffee and get ready to have your eyes opened as we explore these insights. Let's get started. The first study that we're gonna take a look at is titled the Effect of Endometriosis Symptoms on Absenteeism and Presenteeism in the Workplace and at Home. This study highlights that endometriosis isn't just about cramps and discomfort. It can also seriously mess with your daily life and work. Imagine or maybe you don't have to imagine this that you're trying to get through your workday, but endometriosis is making everything feel like a Herculean task. According to this study, there's a strong link between endometriosis symptoms and reduced productivity, both at work and home. Those with endometriosis end up losing more days to disability, with some pretty eye-opening numbers recorded. On average, people with endometriosis lose 5.3 hours a week to employment presenteeism. Presenteeism means that you're at work but you're so out of it that your productivity is in the gutter. Add to that the 1.1 hours of straight-up absenteeism, which is where you can't even make it to work. And it's not just work that suffers Household chores take a hit too. The study also showed that there is a 2.3 hours of household presenteeism and 2.5 hours of household absenteeism per week. Things get even tougher as symptoms get worse. If you have three or more symptoms at the same time, you're in for a world of hurt, literally and figuratively. Those dealing with multiple symptoms lose a lot more hours to both presenteeism and absenteeism compared to those with just one or two symptoms. So endometriosis isn't just a personal health issue. It's a productivity thief at work and at home, which is further emphasized in this next publication titled Endometriosis at the Workplace Lessons from Australia's Response to COVID-19, which brings to light that endometriosis is no joke, especially when it comes to juggling a career.

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This recent Australian study highlights that more than half of those with endometriosis face workplace challenges due to their symptoms. Imagine trying to focus on meetings while dealing with excruciating pain. It's like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded. Reduced hours become a necessity rather than a choice, and they navigate their health alongside their professional responsibilities. But it gets trickier. Over one in 10 individuals with endometriosis reported losing their jobs because of the disease. Picture this You're an ace employee, but endometriosis has a knack for showing up uninvited, causing missed days and dwindling productivity. Suddenly, you're not just battling a chronic condition, you're also dealing with job insecurity. It's a harsh reality that adds another layer of stress to an already challenging situation. Interestingly, though, this study suggests that the pandemic has inadvertently shown a light on these issues. With remote work becoming more common, there's a glimmer of hope that flexible working conditions might offer some relief. If only we could convince all employers that productivity isn't all about where you work, but how well you can work when you're feeling your best. So here's to hoping that, with this, newfound awareness leads to more compassionate and accommodating workplaces for everyone battling endometriosis. But what if you have a job or a career that you can't work from home?

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This next article, titled Disability from Endometriosis in the United States Army, takes us on a stroll down memory lane. In its 1988 publication, researchers dug through the medical record of 6,456 women in the US Army. They looked at various factors like age, race and whether these women were on active duty. The key focus was on how many sick days were racked up due to endometriosis. The findings Brace yourself. On average, each active duty patient with endometriosis clocked in 15 sick days per hospital admission, and it didn't matter whether they were young, old, black, white or green with polka dots. 15 days was the magic number. Considering that 6.2% of the female army population had endometriosis, this study's author did some quick math and estimated a whopping total of 21,746 lost duty days. That's almost 60 years of soldiering lost to this disease. So imagine trying to run an army with thousands of soldiers MIA thanks to a disease that's as sneaky as it is painful, with a third of your troops sidelined by an invisible enemy. Endometriosis 1, army 0.

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Productivity is only one element of living this life with our annoying counterpart called endo. Endometriosis doesn't just cause pain and discomfort. It also affects the wallet. Adding insult to entry, studies show that patients with endometriosis experience lower annual salaries and slower salary growth. They also face higher risks of missing work compared to their peers without this disease. The study titled Assessment of the Impact of Endometriosis on Patient's Salary Growth and Risk of Leaving the Workplace, published in Advances in Therapy in May of 2020, highlights the financial burden of this disease.

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It's not just about managing symptoms, but also about navigating the economic impacts. Imagine battling chronic pain and then realizing it's going to cost you your paycheck. This double whammy makes managing endometriosis even more challenging. Endometriosis likes to hit us really where it counts, both in your body and your budget. In the article titled, endometriosis is Undervalued. A Call to Action further explains the implications of endometriosis. Imagine having an uninvited guest who not only overstays their welcome but also leaves a mess everywhere they go. That's endometriosis for you, wrecking havoc on the lives of many.

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Researchers have been studying this meddlesome disease for decades and one thing is clear Endometriosis is a master of disruption. It doesn't just affect health. It infiltrates work, school and home life, causing people to miss out on all the fun and not-so-fun activities. The economic impacts of endometriosis is like a runaway train. On a personal level, it hits the wallet hard. Patients often find themselves shelling out their hard-earned cash for treatments while simultaneously losing income due to work disruption. It's a lose-lose situation. And if you think it stops there, think again. The financial black hole extends to the public health realm, too. In the US alone, endometriosis costs between 78 billion and119 billion annually. That's more zeros than most of us can count, and Australia isn't far behind, with its economic burden ranging between $6.5 billion and $7.4 billion.

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So what's the takeaway here? Endometriosis isn't just a personal health issue. It's a public health crisis with the price tag that could buy a small country. We need to start paying more attention to this disease, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because ignoring it costs us all a fortune, and maybe, just maybe, it's time to put this uninvited intruder in its place. But that isn't going to work if we don't have a complete picture, which is what this next research article helps paint. In the study titled Endometriosis and Disability Analysis of Federal Court Appeals of Social Security, disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Claims by Individuals Suffering from Endometriosis further accentuates that endometriosis is no picnic.

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Many patients are stuck using up all their sick days, vacation days and even taking unpaid leave just to manage the disease. Sure, some can tap into the Family Medical Leave Act or FMLA for job-protected benefits, but it's unpaid and let's be real, not everyone can even qualify for FMLA. If you work for a small business or haven't racked up enough work history, you're out of luck. Paid sick leave sounds like a dream, offering job-protected, paid time off. But here's the kicker not everyone gets that sweet deal. Eligibility varies by state, so it's like playing a game of will they or won't they with your paycheck. Now let's dive into the world of Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income, ssi. Spoiler alert, it's a mess.

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Research shows that claims for endometriosis-specific disabilities are often given the cold shoulder. The disease isn't even listed as an official impairment, so those suffering from it face all sorts of roadblocks misconceptions about the disease, tricky diagnostic criteria and complicated treatment plans that make proving their case a nightmare. And guess what? Many claims are flat out denied, despite the debilitating nature of endometriosis. It's like trying to convince a cat to take a bath. Nearly impossible and utterly exhausting. Denied patients often need to lawyer up just to get through the appeals process, adding even more stress to their already challenging lives. According to this study, it's clear that the system is failing these individuals. The courts are clogged with appeals from those who just want some relief and recognition for their disease. It's a never-ending cycle of frustration, paperwork and legal jargon. So if you have someone with endometriosis, give them a high five for making it through each day and maybe consider advocating for better policies that don't treat them like they're asking for a unicorn on a silver platter. Those research articles highlight the fact that endometriosis presents a significant challenge in terms of both debilitating effects on daily life and financial burden. However, the situation becomes even more complex when considering individuals who already contend with physical disabilities.

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Recent studies delve into the intersectionality of these issues, shedding light on how women with disabilities navigate the additional burdens of things like endometriosis. Moreover, these studies illuminate disparities within the healthcare system, revealing shortcomings on how individuals with physical disabilities are perceived and treated, underscoring the urgent need for tailored healthcare strategies that address these intersecting challenges effectively. The first publication that looks into these challenges is titled Health Needs of Women with Disabilities Across the Lifespan. It addresses the unique health care needs of women with disabilities, from adolescence to old age. It highlights these women who often face barriers such as navigating attitudes, lack of information, environmental changes and geographical obstacles when assessing health care. The authors argue the necessity for comprehensive and empathetic health care services to manage their disabilities and prevent additional health issues. They also suggest various strategies to overcome these barriers and improve the quality of care for women with disabilities. But it's not just about the women with disabilities that face disparities in healthcare. This next article looks at all people with disabilities.

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In episode 82 of In no Battery, chanda Hinton talked about this next study titled Physicians' Perceptions of People with Disabilities and their Healthcare. If you haven't listened to that episode, I strongly encourage you to do so. However, a bunch of researchers got curious about what doctors think about treating people with disabilities. You know those superheroes among us who deal with extra challenges daily. They wanted to figure out if doctors are doing a good job or if they needed a bit of a nudge in the right direction.

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First off, the researchers found that many doctors felt like they were in a scene from a medical drama without a script. They admitted they didn't have enough training or experience to treat patients with disabilities properly. Imagine trying to perform a complicated dance without knowing the steps. That's how doctors felt. On the bright side. Most doctors genuinely wanted to help provide good care, but here's the kicker they often had trouble communicating with their patients. It's like they were trying to speak Klingon when someone only understands Elvish. The communication gap sometimes leads to misunderstandings and less effective care.

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The study also highlights that the healthcare system itself was a bit of a mess, to which many of us are not shocked by. Picture a hospital as a giant, chaotic game of Tetris, where pieces don't quite fit together. Accessibility was a big issue, not just physical access, but also access to information and resources that could help patients with disabilities. While doctors are well-meaning but slightly confused chefs trying to make a gourmet meal without its ingredients, they're eager to learn and improve. The study suggests that with better training and a more inclusive healthcare system, doctors can become rock stars of medical care for people with disabilities. Thanks for tuning in this week.

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And in light of the ongoing advocacy by those living with endometriosis, it's clear that recognizing this condition as eligible for formal workplace and school accommodations, as well as federal disability, is essential. The severe chronic pain associated with endometriosis profoundly impacts daily functioning, making it challenging for individuals to work, maintain a household and engage in social activities. This debilitating pain often results in reduced productivity, missed work days and, in severe cases, job termination. By providing necessary accommodations, we can help individuals manage their symptoms more effectively and maintain steady employment. Addressing endometriosis as a federal disability would not only validate the experiences of those affected, but also provide them with essential support and protection. This recognition would foster a more inclusive environment, ensuring that individuals receive the understanding and assistance they need to thrive.

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From a public health perspective, the financial burden of endometriosis is staggering, with costs including medical treatments, surgeries, medications and lost income due to inability to work. We can alleviate some of these financial burdens through access to disability benefits and support. This would not only benefit individuals, but also reduce the overall economic impacts on society. Ultimately, recognizing endometriosis as a federal disability would bring much-needed attention to the disease, fostering greater research findings, better treatments and more comprehensive support systems. Above all, it would provide those living with endometriosis the legal protections and accommodations they deserve, validating their experiences and empowering them to lead a fuller, more productive life. If you want to read more on these research articles, go to the description in the podcast episode, and you can find all the links there. Until next time, continue advocating for equitable care for all of endometriosis patients.