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Understanding Frontotemporal Dementia – which disproportionately affects Black people – through Wendy Williams’ diagnosis

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The recent news of Wendy Williams’ diagnosis with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the identical disease that actor Bruce Willis suffers from, is sending shockwaves throughout the Black community.

Williams, 59, best known for her profession as a radio and tv host, revealed her diagnosis on the Lifetime series “Where’s Wendy Williams?” a two-part documentary about her physical and mental health.

The former host of “The Wendy Williams Show” has an extended history of health problems, from cocaine addiction to cocaine-related Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. In 2017, she passed out on set during a live Halloween taping, and in 2019, she admitted to living in a sober house after being found unconscious in her New York apartment months earlier, requiring emergency hospitalization and two blood transfusions. But for a lot of, the FTD diagnosis was a bombshell and a reminder of the impact of dementia on the Black community.

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Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) disproportionately affects the Black community in comparison with others, and the causes remain unclear. Although research into FTD in black populations has advanced significantly over the past 20 years, the complex nature of the disease makes it difficult to pinpoint a single definitive cause.

Worryingly, the incidence of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is increasing amongst black Americans over the age of 70. This is especially concerning because FTD is each early-onset and rapidly progressive, affecting a big proportion – greater than 1 / 4 – of this population who’re already living with some type of dementia, with essentially the most common being Alzheimer’s disease. According to the study, Black Americans are less more likely to receive a diagnosis in a timely manner and usually tend to see 4 or more physicians before a diagnosis is made. Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) Associate.

Moreover, in line with a 2023 study, FTD symptoms are inclined to be more severe in Black people Research on the University of PennsylvaniaBlack study participants reported higher dementia severity on the Clinical Dementia Rating Dementia Staging in comparison with white and Hispanic participants.

Frontotemporal dementia was discovered

The exact explanation for FTD just isn’t known, nevertheless it involves progressive damage to neurons within the areas of the brain liable for language production, often affecting people under the age of 65. As the disease progresses, the brain shrinks, further affecting areas that control behavior and personality.

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Although symptoms vary from individual to individual, early symptoms of FTD (which can appear as early as age 45) may include talking less, having trouble sleeping, and personality changes equivalent to lacking empathy or displaying socially inappropriate behavior equivalent to swearing or stealing . Other symptoms include:

  • Impaired judgment
  • Apathy
  • Decreased self-awareness
  • Loss of interest in normal every day activities
  • Emotional withdrawal from others
  • Loss of energy and motivation
  • Language difficulties or delays, including trouble naming objects, expressing words, understanding the meaning of words, or hesitation when speaking
  • Loss of concentration
  • Problems with planning and organization
  • Frequent mood changes
  • Excitement

Although the small print of Williams’ symptoms and her family’s observations are unknown, frontotemporal dementia often presents with subtle symptoms that might be easily missed within the early stages. This is further complicated by diagnosing FTD, which is difficult. It requires an in depth description of symptoms, family and medicine history, in addition to brain scans and blood tests. Often, FTD is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning it is simply reached after other potential causes have been ruled out.

There is currently no cure for frontotemporal dementia. However, supportive care strategies equivalent to therapy, behavior modification, and medications can assist patients adjust to their recent reality and deal with the continued mental and physical changes related to the disease. No cure has been found to stop or reverse the progression of frontotemporal dementia, but cholinesterase inhibitors (drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease), antidepressants and antipsychotics equivalent to trazadone may help relieve symptoms of agitation, aggression and insomnia in some people. People.

Living with frontotemporal dementia

Wendy Williams’ recent diagnosis has understandably led to speculation a couple of connection to her past struggles with substance abuse. However, there’s currently no evidence to suggest a link between the 2.

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Experts acknowledge the numerous challenges faced by people within the early stages of FTD, including fear, frustration and even embarrassment. One of essentially the most disturbing elements of FTD is the progressive lack of independence. While the specifics of Williams’ situation are unknown, the disease often requires a big level of care, requiring a mixture of medicines, home care, potential nursing home placement, and various therapies equivalent to speech and mental health support, which could make treatment harder. a big financial burden on her family.

Advanced planning reduces this burden and helps the patient and their family make a smooth transition into the longer term.

More research is required

The path to unraveling the complexities of FTD may result in earlier diagnosis and increased research efforts, with a selected concentrate on increasing participation from the Black community. While increased participation from the Black community is critical to advancing FTD research and developing higher treatments, a concerted effort is required to make sure equitable access to research opportunities and health care resources.


 

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

Health and Wellness

Hypertension, diabetes associated with Alzheimer’s disease in Black Americans

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The recent study showed that there is a chain response for black Americans who’ve been diagnosed with diabetes and middle -aged hypertension. Scientists from the University of Georgia Study said that black Americans who’re The diagnosed each conditions have a greater risk of developing degenerative diseases comparable to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Scientists analyzed over 252 black Americans at middle -aged family and social health research living in Georgia or Iów. Participants, from whom diagnosis was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or each attracted blood in the years 2008–2019. Almost 10 years later, scientists found that participants from each conditions had a much higher biomarker level associated with dementia over 10 years later.

“This study shows that chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, especially in combination, can begin to destroy the brain earlier than we thought, especially in the case of this group,” Rachael Weaver, Study correspondent and graduate in UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Sociology “, published in an announcement.

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Cardiovascular health may even be an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease

According to scientists, diabetes and hypertension are sometimes not the one indicators of degenerative brain diseases in the long run. Cardiovascular health also plays an infinite role. Although itself from these diagnoses doesn’t indicate a dramatic neurological effect, each results in striking results.

“The study sends a clear message: Earlier steps to control high blood pressure and diabetes can help protect African Americans from brain degeneration and reduce the risk of dementia later in life,” added Karlo Lei, a study co -author and extraordinary professor on the Sociology Department of College Franklin College.

Compared to other racial-ethnic groups, black Americans show accelerated brain aging starting in middle-aged. They also show higher indicators and an earlier starting of dementia and are ultimately more liable to Alzheimer’s disease.

Early intervention in these chronic health conditions can significantly protect brain health and reduce the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases in African Americans in later life.

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Health and Wellness

Rondell Sheridan asks for help in paying medical accounts after the hospitalization of pancreatitis

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Rondell Sheridan undergoes health challenges. Beloved television dad, who played Raven-Symone’s father in the series, fights pancreatitis and has received love from fans since he revealed his health.

In the film on Instagram recorded from the hospital bed, Sheridan told his fight against pancreatitis.

The actor said that on April 10 he fell in poor health and went to the hospital, and the doctors thought there was a stomach. After returning home on April 12, he went to the hospital again, it was said that it was pancreatitis and was hospitalized for nine days.

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“I was released and thought that I was on my way to recovery, but … my pancreas is inflammatory and you can not do much for it, but just wait,” said Rondell.

Due to his current disease, the actor is liable to be unemployed and demands financial support from fans. Sheridan shared his own Gofundme account With a goal $ 35,000, which has already crossed.

In the signature of the film on Instagram explaining his health, the actor wrote: “Go to the Gofundme link in my biography and distribute information. Every donation that you can convey is very welcome.”

The actor’s friend, Isabel Beyoso, founded a fundraiser of Gofundme money. In the description of the fundraiser, she explained why Sheridan needs financial support.

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“My name is Isabel Beyoso and I create this site on behalf of my very expensive friend Rondell Sheridan, because last month he was admitted to the hospital last month due to an extremely serious case of pancreatitis. He was not able to work from April 12, 2025 and he would not be able to return to work in an incurable future.”

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is inflammatory and could cause severe abdominal pain. Other warning signs include nausea, fever, indigestion, fast heart rate and shallow respiration.

The health condition is liable to be acute or chronic, but after untreated, it’ll probably result in organ failure. The two most important causes of pancreatitis are gallstones and heavy drinking.

Wishing Sheridan a fast recovery and hoping to get support, he needs this challenge.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Bindi Irwin was taken to the hospital for a appendix surgery. But what is appendicitis?

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Bindi Irwin was supposedly He was rushing to the hospital In the United States, undergo an emergency surgery in the case of a cracked appendix.

According to brother Robert Irwin, “It’ll be all right“However, the 26-year-old was forced to leave the annual gala event to honor her deceased father Steve Irwin.

So what is the role of the attachment and in what circumstances can it break? Here’s what you desire to to to to to to to to discover about appendicitis.

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What is the add -on?

The add -on is a finger -like bag attached to the large intestine. It may thoroughly be found on the right side of our lower abdomen.

For a very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very long time there was a theory that the attachment was an evolutionary remnant which could play a role in the digestion of our ancestors, but was not very useful for modern people after modern diets.

However, emerging studies have shown that the appendix can play a role in the immune function and the microbiome of the body, especially in the intestines. The intestinal microbiome may thoroughly be disturbed by infection or antibiotics, and the appendix may help the intestinal flora Complete and recuperate.

To say, most people who need to remove a appendix to treat appendicitis are completely good.

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What is appendicitis and what are the symptoms?

Appendicitis is often a bacterial infection. Most often, appendicitis begins with blocking the add -on, caused, for example, by a hardened piece of stool or swelling. After blocking, the bacteria in the attachment aren’t cleaned as usual, but accumulate. This, in turn, leads to inflammation and infection of the attachment, and in some cases the attachment can crack or crack.

The more time before the treatment of a person with appendicitis, the greater the risk may crack the appendix.

Symptoms of appendicitis grow to be more serious because the appendix becomes more inflammatory.
Twinkle Picture/Shutterstock

The crack is more common in children, which suggests roughly One quarter of all cases. This is especially for younger children who may not have words to describe their symptoms and mustn’t show classic symptoms which could delay the diagnosis.

But even in adults, sometimes symptoms may thoroughly be difficult to recognize other things.

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Usually, early symptoms of appendix may thoroughly be unclear and might thoroughly be easily mistaken for something else, for example, viral gastritis and intestinal inflammation. They may include a lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, low -quality fever, along with general abdominal pain around the navel.

Pain inside a few hours or days Increase in severity And it is positioned in the lower right of the abdomen.

How common is appendicitis?

Throughout the country, Over 40,000 Every 12 months, Australians are hospitalized with appendicitis inflammation. The condition is responsible for around 180 out of 100,000 hospitalizations.

It is estimated that Fr. one in 12-15 people He will experience a appendix during his life.

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Effective inflammation is more common in children and young people. “Peak” age group for appendicitis is between Age 10 and 30But it’s going to definitely also occur in other age groups.

The boy lying in bed, squeezing him into his stomach.
Effective inflammation is often more common in children and adolescents than adults.
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How is appendicitis diagnosed and treated?

For the most part, the diagnosis of appendicitis is clinically made – in other words, talking to the patient and examining him. The role of blood and scans tests may occur to help diagnose, but these tests may not find a way to distinguish between appendix from other causes of abdominal pain.

In the case of most people of the appendix, it is treated with surgery called the appendix (where the appendix is ​​removed) along with intravenous antibiotics.

Some people can only be treated with antibiotics. However, research suggests Removal of the attachmentAlong with antibiotics it is more practical.

Nowadays, the appendix is ​​often surgery with key (or laproscopic) hole, which suggests that it is barely invasive, doesn’t leave a large scar and sees patients back on their feet.

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Some patients will find a way to be discharged from the hospital the day after the surgery, while others will remain a few days. The hospital at home is a positive alternative which could assist patients in a faster home, even Many children Treated due to a cracked appendix.

You could make a appendix, irrespective of whether the attachment has broken or not. But the operation is more complex, and recovery longer if the attachment has broken.

In the case of minority, appendicitis can have complications, for example, infections and scars in the stomach or at the site of surgery. Untreated, appendicitis can threaten life, and even in determining well -organized healthcare systems, akin to ours in Australia, there are cases of death due to appendicitis. Fortunately, it is rare, with mortality rates as little as 0.02% Loads made in Australia.

Fortunately, for most people, the struggle of appendicitis and treatment of surgery doesn’t leave a long -lasting legacy, and returning to full health and life is a few quieter weeks. We hope that this shall be the case with Bindi Irwin and we join the remainder of Australia, wishing her a quick and complete recovery.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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