Saturday, April 20, 2013

MS brain, Fibro-fog and other signs that our minds are not...


Where we left them!
Words elude me when I least expect them to, or I can’t get the correct one out, and I do believe that at times my mind wanders and I become confused…
As frustrating and age related as many may say that is, it can be, but this is NOT caused by that!
I know, how does one tell the difference? And how do they know its not dementia or early onset Alzheimer’s?
Got me.
No, really I do think that many a doctors now know the difference and can tell you if it caused by your chronic ills side effect or some form of dementia or that you can crack it up to becoming getting older.
And to the extent of the issue to has a smidge of a difference too.

“Brain fog refers to the effect multiple sclerosis has on a person's ability to think clearly.
Generally, it refers to the way processing of information becomes interrupted and slowed as a result of cognitive dysfunction caused by multiple sclerosis, although it can really mean any of the range of cognitive deficits which can be caused by multiple sclerosis.
More specifically, 'brain fog' refers to a type of clouded thinking where the mind itself, the part which is used to accomplish tasks, becomes clouded, as if there is a type of 'mental cataract' obscuring 'internal' vision.”

“Fibro fog – also known as fibromyalgia fog and brain fog – is a term commonly used for the cognitive difficulties that can occur with fibromyalgia. These include confusion, lapses in memory, word mix-ups and difficulty concentrating. 
The cause of fibromyalgia fog has been the subject of several studies and much speculation. One of the most popular theories about fibro fog has been that these problems are caused by sleep deprivation and/or depression, but one study found that neither poor sleep nor depression seemed related to cognitive performance.  
Brain scan studies have shown that from time to time, people with fibromyalgia do not receive enough oxygen in different parts of their brain. One possible reason is that part of their nervous system is off-kilter, causing changes in the brain’s blood vessels.
Additional research – though not on fibromyalgia specifically – shows that chronic pain itself may affect the brain. A technology called functional MRI found that in people with chronic pain, a front region of the brain mostly associated with emotion is constantly active. The affected areas fail to “shut off” when they should, wearing out neurons and disturbing the balance of the brain as a whole.”

Thanks to: http://www.arthritistoday.org/about-arthritis/types-of-arthritis/fibromyalgia/what-you-need-to-know/fibro-fog.php

10   Signs and symptoms of dementia and related diseases:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life




Challenges in planning or solving problems



Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure



Confusion with time or place



Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships



New problems with words in speaking or writing



Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps



Decreased or poor judgment



Withdrawal from work or social activities



Changes in mood and personality



And if you wish to read more, go to these sites above, quite enlightening for all who may be concerned.

I am so glad we have this time together, but if my mind gets too bad, there may be a day when I will no longer be able, literally, to do this.
And so while I still can, I will, but please all you English majors, teachers, secretaries, authors, legit writers, etc out there be kind to me with all these nightly mistakes… I do try! And I have been told that I am very trying! By Hubby, some days…most…

On that note of a bit of light away from the darkness, allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a very happy good night and ask you to kindly count all your blessings and share those overages with everyone whom you know needs it, and we will too!

And next time, please be here or be square, ya hear!?

PS and that is why I do show a lot of pictures when I can, since we all know that a picture is worth a thousand words and they fill the space and time continuum, right?

Speaking My Mind: Which way will the war go?

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