![Neuromyelitis optica or NMO qualifies for severe disability because it affects the central nervous system, causing blindness and paralysis.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/nmo-disorder.jpg?output-quality=75)
Neuromyelitis optica or NMO qualifies for severe disability because it affects the central nervous system, causing blindness and paralysis.
To qualify for disability under Social Security Disability, either of the following criteria should be met:
- Complete loss of function of a body part, such as arms or legs, lasting for at least 3 months. (Loss of function applies to paralysis and other normal function, such as sensation or loss of function of the autonomic nervous system, which affects bladder or intestinal function.)
- Extreme difficulty when standing up from a seated position, balancing while standing or walking, or using the arms or hands.
- Marked physical problems along with a limitation in thinking, social interactions, concentrating, and finishing tasks, or regulating emotions and controlling behavior. (Marked means worse than moderate, but not extreme.)
Besides, the disabling condition should last or be expected to last at least for a year. As NMO meets the criteria, so NMO qualifies as a disability.
What is NMO?
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or Devic disease is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. NMO primarily affects the myelin sheath (a layer of cells that insulates the nerves and supporting cells in the nervous system). Therefore, the disease targets the spinal cord, optic nerves, and brainstem. The damage to the optic nerves causes swelling and inflammation that cause pain and loss of vision. However, damage to the spinal cord causes weakness or paralysis in the legs or arms, loss of sensation, and problems with bladder and bowel function. Moreover, damage to the brainstem can lead to prolonged hiccups, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, or respiratory failure.
NMO is a relapsing-remitting disease. During a relapse, the new damage to optic nerves and/or spinal cord can cause additional disability.
Unlike multiple sclerosis, NMO isn’t a progressive disease. Hence, preventing relapse is crucial to prevent further disabilities.
There are two types of NMO:
- Relapsing form: It is the most common type of NMO and mainly affects women over men. It has periodic flare-ups with some respite in between.
- Monophasic form: It involves a single attack that lasts for 1-2 months. Both men and women are equally affected by this form.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/quiz/human-body/human-body-s1.jpg)
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerWhat are the impacts of symptoms on the daily life of a patient with NMO?
The most prevalent symptoms in a patient with NMO are:
- Blurred vision
- Lack of color vision and complete blindness
- Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs
- Paralysis of the arms and legs
- Difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels
- Uncontrollable vomiting and hiccups
Due to the above symptoms, the patients must undergo severe physical and emotional distress. Other impacts include:
- Frustration at having to concentrate and plan everything in advance
- Physical and emotional dependence on others
- Degrading self-confidence
- Need to develop other senses, such as hearing, memory, touch, and vibrations
- Negative effect on their daily activities, mood, ability to walk, enjoyment of life, and relationships
- Restrictions on employment or education
- Bladder problems cause embarrassment, humiliation, decreased self-confidence, and reduction in social activities
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How to live with NMO?
Living becomes difficult with NMO because the disability worsens over time. Some of the complications of NMO include:
- Visual impairment or blindness
- Paralysis or weakness of one or more limb
- Stiffness or muscle spasms
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Depression
- Fatigue
Some people may require ventilators for breathing purposes. People with NMO should seek support from friends, family, and support groups to deal with the trauma. A person with major disabilities may also require support from neurologists (who specialize in NMO), occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social services professionals.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
John Hopkins Medicine. Neuromyelitis Optica. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/neuromyelitis-optica
Taylor and Francis Group. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://informahealthcare.com/dre
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Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
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Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a rare inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the optic nerve and the spinal cord, and sometimes the brain. Current research indicates that neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) patients have a 91% to 98% five-year survival rate.