You may be surprised to know that March has more holidays and observances than just St Patrick’s Day! For instance, did you know that it is “Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month?” Or National Quinoa, Peanut, Noodle, and Umbrella Month (all celebrated separately, of course)? We didn’t, either...so we thought it might be a great opportunity for everyone to learn about the various monthly 
observances happening in March. Even better, we looked up relevant ICD-10 codes to go with the celebrations (so if you work in the medical billing industry, feel free to log this time as OJT!). Last year, we looked at green beer and hangovers; this month, let’s see what else March has in store!
Alport Syndrome Awareness Month. This is a somewhat rare genetic condition characterized by blood in the urine (hematuria), progressive kidney failure, and sometimes problems with hearing and sight. March also happens to be National Kidney Month, and since Alport’s affects the kidneys, both are recognized this month. The ICD-10 code for Alport syndrome is Q87.81.
As mentioned above, it’s also National Peanut Month. Food Allergy Research and Education states that “In the U.S., approximately three million people report allergies to peanuts and tree nuts. Studies show the number of children living with peanut allergy appears to have tripled between 1997 and 2008.” While it’s not clear what is causing the rapid increase in peanut allergy, it is important to know how to respond in case of a serious anaphylactic reaction (epinephrine is usually a first-line response). The ICD-10 code for allergy to peanut is Z91.010.
Deep Vein Thrombosis Month is also happening now. Commonly known as DVT, this is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a major vein (usually in a person’s legs). It can be a very serious condition if the blood clot travels through the bloodstream and ends up in the lungs. DVT can be a result of being bedridden for a long time, certain medications that affect how one’s blood clots, long periods of sitting, genetics, and more. The general code for DVT is I82.50 (this particular code is not billable because more specific codes denote the area in which a thrombus has occurred).
Endometriosis affects approximately 8% of women in the United States, although it is hard to tell since many women are undiagnosed. According to ICD10Data.com, “Endometriosis is a problem affecting a woman's uterus - the place where a baby grows when she's pregnant. Endometriosis is when the kind of tissue that normally lines the uterus grows somewhere else. It can grow on the ovaries, behind the uterus or on the bowels or bladder. Rarely, it grows in other parts of the body. This "misplaced" tissue can cause pain, infertility, and very heavy periods. The pain is usually in the abdomen, lower back or pelvic areas. Some women have no symptoms at all. Having trouble getting pregnant may be the first sign. The cause of endometriosis is not known. Pain medicines and hormones often help. Severe cases may need surgery. There are also treatments to improve fertility in women with endometriosis.” The code is N80.9.
It may not be as exciting as celebrating St Patrick’s Day (especially if you like Irish food, beer, and the color green), but we hope you enjoyed learning about different health issues that are also being highlighted this month. To learn about other monthly observances, check out our blog, where we talk ICD-10 for lovers, Florida vacations, and more!
