Wendy Williams is diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia : NPR

Wendy Williams, former TV show host and shock jock, has been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, his medical team announced.

in a Press release On Thursday, her team said Williams, 59, received her diagnosis last year and that the conditions have already “presented significant obstacles in Wendy’s life.”

“Wendy can still do a lot of things for herself,” her team said, noting that she appreciates the kind thoughts and wishes sent her way. “Most importantly, she maintains her trademark sense of humor and receives the care she needs to ensure she is protected and her needs are taken care of.”

News of his latest medical diagnosis comes days before the Lifetime premiere. Where is Wendy Williams? – a two-part documentary detailing your health battles following the end of his syndicated talk show in 2022.

Williams, the former television host of The Wendy Williams Show He moved away from the world of broadcasting. after a series of health problems. (Williams also has Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid.)

In 2022, due to his continued health battles, he was announced that his syndicated daytime talk show would end after 13 years on television.

Williams’ team says they shared the health update this week to “correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health,” as many fans have done. been worried but confused in recent years about their physical health and financial well-being.

In 2022, the 59-year-old was placed under temporary financial guardianship after her bank, Wells Fargo, raised concerns, claiming in a New York court that she was an “incapacitated person.” The Hollywood Reporter reported.

What exactly is aphasia?

Aphasia is defined as a condition that affects the ability to speak, write, and understand language, according to the Mayo Clinic. Language disorder can occur after strokes or head injuries and can even lead to dementia in some cases.

Medical experts say the impacts of the disorder can vary, depending on the person’s diagnosis. But primarily, the condition affects a person’s ability to communicate, whether written, spoken, or both.

Nearly 180,000 people in the United States acquire this condition each year. Most people living with aphasia are middle-aged or older, as the average age of those living with this condition is 70 years old. However, anyone, including young children, can purchase it.

Dr. Jonathon Lebovitz, neurosurgeon specializing in the surgical treatment of brain and spinal conditions in Nuvance Healthhe told NPR in 2022 after the diagnosis of actor Bruce Willisthat a person’s condition depends on the exact portion of the brain affected.

“In most patients who have aphasia, it is a symptom of a larger medical problem,” Lebovitz said.

What is frontotemporal dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia, commonly known as FTD, is one of several types of dementia that cause damage to the nerves in the frontal and temporal lobes, leading to a loss of function in those areas, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

FTD can also impair motor function and movement, which could be classified as Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS.

There are two different types of frontotemporal dementia: behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, which causes nerve loss in the areas of the brain that control empathy, judgment and behavior, and primary progressive aphasia (PPA), Williams’ form. . which affects language skills, speaking, writing and comprehension.

About 30% of people with frontotemporal degeneration inherit the disease. The underlying causes of FTD are unknown.

What are the treatment options for aphasia and FTD?

For those diagnosed with aphasia, there are several treatment options available.

Traditionally, most people undergo some form of speech and language therapy to restore their communication skills. Additionally, there are ongoing clinical trials using brain stimulation and may help improve the ability to recover skills.

To date, there has been no long-term research on aphasia.

When it comes to FTD, there are medications that can help relieve symptoms, but over time, the disease eventually worsens.