(IntegrityPress.org) – Television personality Wendy Williams has received a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Both conditions cause severe cognitive and physical problems during progression of the diseases.
Williams, 59, faced health challenges for a while which led to her leaving from her “Wendy” talk show in 2021. She was officially diagnosed after a year full of intense medical evaluations in 2023. Williams had been open about her struggles with lymphedema and Graves’ Disease, which was the initial reason she announced an indefinite leave from her talk show. Sherri Shepherd, an actress and comedian, was announced as the new host in 2022.
Williams’ care team released the health update to correct any false rumors and address concerns arising from some instances on the show where she appeared incoherent. Fans of the show began to assume something was wrong when she acted strangely during some of the talk show episodes.
Expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support after her diagnosis, Williams emphasized the importance of unity and compassion.
Aphasia, which is usually brought on by damage in the left part of the brain, hampers language comprehension and communication. Actor Bruce Willis made the condition more known in 2022 when his own diagnosis was revealed. He was also diagnosed with the same type of dementia as Williams. Aphasia can come about from various factors like head injuries, tumors, or brain degeneration from diseases.
Frontotemporal dementia affects the front lobes of the brain, impacting someone’s behavior and personality. Some people lose their language abilities as well. Dr. Gayatri Devi, a neurology expert, highlights that unlike Alzheimer’s, there’s no definitive test for FTD diagnosis. The condition typically emerges around 60 years of age.
While genetics play a role in dementia, Dr. Devi emphasizes that it’s not inevitable. She encourages adopting preventive measures beyond genetic factors.
Williams now seeks personal space and peace to thrive amid her diagnosis, appreciating the support and encouragement she has received from her fans.
Copyright 2024, IntegrityPress.org
