Health
Was Wendy Williams’ dementia caused by alcoholism? Experts share insights
Former TV talk show host Wendy Williams, 59, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia, which impairs the ability to communicate, in 2023, a representative confirmed on Thursday.
Given Williams’ reported history of alcoholism, experts are speaking out about the potential link between her alcohol abuse and current cognitive issues.
Thursday’s announcement of Williams’ diagnosis came ahead of a new Lifetime documentary — titled “Where Is Wendy Williams?” — that will premiere on Saturday, as her representative aims to “correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health.”
WENDY WILLIAMS CONTROVERSY: INSIDE DEMENTIA, EXPLOSIVE DOCUMENTARY, FAMILY WAR TO VISIT TALK SHOW QUEEN
Williams entered a facility in April 2023 to allegedly treat “cognitive issues” reportedly due to alcohol abuse, as her family communicates with her through a court-appointed legal guardian.
“In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD),” Williams’ care team stated in a press release.
Wendy Williams attends a private dinner at Fresco By Scotto on Feb. 21, 2023, in New York City. The former TV talk show host has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia. (Getty Images)
“Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Williams’ team requesting additional comment.
Link between alcohol and brain health
Dr. Suzette Glasner, PhD, a psychologist in Los Angeles, California, has not treated or examined Williams but said heavy drinking and alcoholism can cause damage to both white and gray matter in the brain, and over time can lead to deteriorating cognitive functioning, including dementia.
“These neurocognitive impacts are a result of a combination of alcohol’s direct neurotoxic effects, depletion of nutrients in the body, impacts on liver functioning and disruption of communication between nerve cells in the brain,” Glasner told Fox News Digital.
WHAT IS FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA, THE DIAGNOSIS BRUCE WILLIS HAS RECEIVED?
When heavy and chronic alcohol use leads to brain damage, an individual can experience problems with their attention, memory and reasoning, the expert said.
“In many cases, individuals who misuse or are addicted to alcohol and drugs struggle with overlapping chronic medical and psychiatric conditions, and this can make it very challenging to determine the etiology or cause of neurocognitive symptoms such as those observed in Wendy Williams,” Glasner said.
Thursday’s announcement of Williams’ diagnosis came ahead of a new Lifetime documentary — titled “Where Is Wendy Williams?” — that will premiere on Saturday, as her representative aims to “correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health.” (lya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Wilhelmina Models)
Neuropsychiatric symptoms including cognitive impairment are common in Grave’s Disease, an autoimmune disorder Williams has spoken about battling over the years.
“Those symptoms often improve with treatment; however, like other chronic diseases, alcohol or drug use can complicate or interfere with treatment response, making improvements less likely,” noted Glasner.
NEW ALZHEIMER’S TREATMENT ACCELERATES REMOVAL OF PLAQUE FROM THE BRAIN IN CLINICAL TRIALS
Elizabeth Landsverk, M.D., a geriatric and dementia expert in San Francisco, also has not treated Williams but said that substance misuse has been previously linked to cognitive decline. She also noted that the extent of its impact isn’t clear.
“Not enough research has been conducted on the matter to give us precise data,” she told Fox News Digital.
“What has been noted is that alcohol abuse — as well as taking a number of other medications — does increase the risk of developing dementia.”
What amount of alcohol is dangerous?
Brain damage and neurocognitive impacts can occur with heavy drinking in individuals with moderate or severe alcohol use disorders, Grasner said — “so there is a wide variation between individuals in the quantity of alcohol that leads to these neurotoxic effects.”
“The specific reasons that some individuals develop alcohol-related dementia whereas others do not are not well understood, so we don’t currently have guidelines specifying that if you drink a certain amount, you are likely to experience cognitive impairments,” she added.
Brain damage and neurocognitive impacts can occur with heavy drinking in individuals with moderate or severe alcohol use disorders, an expert said. (iStock)
Women are generally more vulnerable to the damaging effects of alcohol on the brain and body, Glasner noted, which means the onset can occur at a younger age than it would in men.
“Expert evaluation of the contribution of substance use and other underlying medical conditions such as Grave’s Disease to cognitive symptoms would be very important for Williams to ensure that she receives the right treatments at the right time,” Glasner recommended.
STUDY FINDS THAT PROTEINS MAY PREDICT WHO WILL GET DEMENTIA IN 10 YEARS BASED ON BLOOD SAMPLES
“Often involving a family very closely to evaluate the symptoms and the timing of their emergence relative to alcohol or other substance use can be helpful as part of determining an accurate diagnosis and plan of care,” she added.
Abstinence from alcohol is a crucial part of treatment for alcohol-related neurological deficits, noted Glasner.
“In many cases, individuals who misuse or are addicted to alcohol and drugs struggle with overlapping chronic medical and psychiatric conditions.”
If the condition is caught in time, abstaining from alcohol can at least partially, if not fully, reverse the symptoms, according to the expert.
Living with FTD and aphasia
While symptoms of FTD can vary depending on what part of the brain is affected, most people with the condition experience some common symptoms, as listed on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website.
Behavior or personality changes are often the most obvious indicators. These may include public outbursts or socially inappropriate actions.
DEMENTIA AMONG YOUNGER PEOPLE IS LINKED TO 15 FACTORS, MAJOR STUDY REVEALS
People with FTD also tend to have impaired judgment, a lack of empathy and lower self-awareness, Johns Hopkins states.
This type of dementia is also marked by a reduced ability to understand or formulate language.
Heavy drinking and alcoholism can cause damage to both white and gray matter in the brain, and over time can lead to deteriorating cognitive functioning, a psychiatrist said. (iStock)
People may struggle to remember the names of objects, string words into sentences or even recall the meanings of words they used to know.
The condition can also lead to agitation, irritability and drastic mood swings.
There is no treatment for FTD other than managing symptoms and educating family members and caregivers, according to Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute in New Jersey.
Some aphasia symptoms can be managed with speech therapy.
“The specific reasons why some individuals develop alcohol-related dementia whereas others do not are not well understood.”
“Treatment focuses a great deal on family education,” said Reena Gottesman, M.D., a behavioral neurologist at the Center for Brain Loss and Memory Health at Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute, in a press release.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Approximately 50,000-60,000 people may have FTD, per data from the Alzheimer’s Association, a nonprofit group based in Chicago.
Recently, actor Bruce Willis’ FTD diagnosis brought new attention to the rare condition.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
At 93, sprightly referee Frank Foster is still brandishing red and yellow cards and running the field three times a week for his local soccer association.
Having taken charge of around 5,500 matches over a 46-year officiating career, the great-grandfather credits his longevity and match-day stamina to a lifetime of healthy habits and a foundational diet, news agency SWNS reported.
Foster puts his remarkable fitness down to the strict wartime rations he was fed as a teenager, noting that it ensured he grew up eating “healthy food” rather than “sweets and cakes.”
FITNESS EXPERT REVEALS 6 PILLARS OF STRENGTH TRAINING THAT OLDER ADULTS SHOULD MASTER
Decades later, his game-day preparation is still fueled by wholesome nutrition, always starting with a morning bowl of oatmeal, cereal or marmalade on toast to give him the energy to last the full 90 minutes.
The meal keeps him active enough to referee men’s, women’s and children’s games, a hobby he jokes he will never blow the final whistle on.
Frank Foster started refereeing in 1980. Today, he still officiates men’s, women’s and children’s games around three times a week. (SWNS)
His sharp mind and authoritative presence on the field are just as strong as his physical endurance.
A military veteran who aced his referee exam in 1980 with a 98% score, Foster relies on old-school discipline to keep matches under control, SWNS reported.
7 COMMON FITNESS MISTAKES OLDER ADULTS MAKE AND HOW TO AVOID THEM FOR BETTER WORKOUTS
He believes modern elite officials are too “soft” and allow player antics to ruin the sport. To maintain order and keep players from acting out, he lays down strict ground rules before kickoff. He has no patience for intimidation or theatrical diving. “Those who go down like they have been shot, well, I would just book them,” he said.
He is equally uncompromising when squads try to crowd him on the field.
Frank Foster is pictured before he became a referee. (Frank Foster/SWNS)
“I wouldn’t let them surround me at all,” Foster told SWNS.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“I would say to the players, ‘Stay where you are,’ and ‘If you move one more inch, I will give you a yellow card.’ You need to stamp your authority and let them know who is in control.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
He also avoids the modern stress of video-reviewing plays, which he believes creates unnecessary “aggression and disappointment” over microscopic offside calls, adding, “I think it spoils the game.”
Foster credits his longevity to wartime rations, adding that he avoided sweets. (SWNS)
“Sometimes it is only the player’s toe that is offside — it is ridiculous.”
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Foster says he “never thought” he’d still be doing this at age 93, but he makes the most of that gift.
He keeps his kit freshly washed, making sure it is “neat and tidy” for when he gets on that field.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Foster, of South Yorkshire, England, also scrubs his black Adidas boots after every game, making sure they are “nice and clean” for his next match.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Summer fun in the sun is being taken to a new extreme.
“Tanmaxxing” is a social media trend that involves maximizing sun exposure and tanning the skin more intensely.
Popular among Gen Z, the practice combines time spent in direct sunlight with a variety of tanning products like oils, bronzers and gels.
POPULAR FRUIT MAY HELP PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS
Creators on social media are showing off their dramatic tan lines and outdoor set-ups — some even forgoing sun protection or adding tanning bed sessions.
“Tanmaxxing” is trending on social media as a way of maximizing sun exposure. (iStock)
While spending time outdoors can help boost mood, support the body’s production of vitamin D and reduce screen time, dermatologists warn that excessive sun exposure — especially as promoted by the tanmaxxing trend — can be dangerous.
New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael Tassavor, MD, emphasized that there is “no such thing as a safe, natural tan.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
“Tanning is damage,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Tanfluencers sell a deep tan as a ‘wellness upgrade,’ but a tan isn’t a glow-up — it’s your skin’s visible distress signal that DNA damage has already happened.”
“As a skin cancer specialist, I’ve taken care of thousands of skin cancers on patients who ‘tanmaxxed’ before it had a name. Most regret it.”
Using a tanning bed before 35 years old can raise melanoma risk by about 75%, an expert warned. (iStock)
The World Health Organization classifies UV radiation and tanning beds as Group 1 carcinogens, which is the same category as tobacco and asbestos.
Using a tanning bed before age 35 can raise melanoma risk by about 75%, Tassavor noted.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“The damage compounds silently and shows up years later, once the easy window to intervene has closed,” he said.
According to Tassavor, two common beliefs behind tanmaxxing are false: Skipping sunscreen does not produce a “better” tan, and a base tan does not protect the skin from future sunburns.
“Most of your vitamin D can come from diet and supplements, and your skin is efficient enough to top up what it needs from ordinary incidental exposure,” a dermatologist said. (iStock)
Sunlight “isn’t the enemy,” the dermatologist noted, but there’s no need to chase it.
“Most of your vitamin D can come from diet and supplements, and your skin is efficient enough to [get] what it needs from ordinary incidental exposure,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Vitamin D matters for bone density, and sun does give some people a genuine mood lift, but there’s no evidence that anyone has to go out of their way to sunbathe for it, and no evidence that diligent sunscreen use harms bone health.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
To safely expose yourself to the sun, Tassavor recommends using SPF 30 sunscreen and reapplying every two hours. Tanning beds should be avoided “entirely,” he cautioned, because there is “no safe dose” of UV exposure and using them accelerates skin aging.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Great American State Fair was postponed Saturday after multiple people reportedly fainted the day before, forcing thousands of visitors to pivot during celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary.
Friday’s medical emergencies required onsite attention as crowds flocked to the nation’s capital for Independence Day.
The fair reopened later Friday evening but was postponed again Saturday.
HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES RISING WITH EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, RESEARCH SUGGESTS
Fox News Digital asked attendees what it took to get to the capital and what they made of the closure.
“We are so blessed to live in the best country in the world,” Whitney Thomas, a mother from North Carolina who traveled with her family for the Great American State Fair, told Fox News Digital Friday.
An arch across the street from a 110-foot “Freedom 250” Ferris wheel during final preparations for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall June 22, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Despite the weather closure, she said her family was able to enjoy the State Fair Thursday evening and planned to wait out the heat in nearby museums until the fair reopened.
“I wanted my kids, who are 9 and 10, to be able to experience this with us,” she said.
“You cannot tell me that America was won by shutting things down when it gets hot.”
Brad Shultis, a retired Marine who traveled from Stafford, Virginia, expressed frustration over the decision to halt festivities.
“You cannot tell me that America was won by shutting things down when it gets hot,” he told Fox News Digital.
FAMOUS LANDMARKS SLASH VISITING HOURS AS DEADLY HEAT WAVE THREATENS TOURISTS
“It gets hot, and we shut it down because it’s hot? Who cares? If it’s too hot, stay home.”
Shultis noted that he drove to Springfield and took the Metro just to be turned away right after buying lunch. He questioned the decision to shut down the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, arguing that if people find the weather too hot, they should simply stay home or seek medical help rather than forcing a mass evacuation for those who spent time and money to get there.
Whitney Thomas brought her children with her from North Carolina to Washington to experience the historic event as a family. (Fox News Digital)
Wendy Lamb, who traveled eight hours from Connecticut with her family to support the state’s booth, noted that organizers were likely worried about the intense conditions and simply did not want visitors to suffer.
WHAT KILLED AMERICANS IN 1776? THE ANSWER IS DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT FROM TODAY
While disappointed that her home state did not send official representation due to budget issues, Lamb and her fellow travelers refused to let the heat ruin their first trip to Washington, D.C.
“We’ve had a really, really fun time so far,” added John, another member of the group.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
He said they plan to navigate the heat by moving from museum to museum and using the Metro system to stay cool until the gates reopen.
For these visitors, the setback was minor compared to the emotional weight of seeing the U.S. Capitol and the Rotunda.
Judy drove with her family from Connecticut to support the state after officials withdrew support prior to the fair opening. (Fox News Digital)
“I mean, we are so fortunate we are free, and yet we have people out there that hate our country. … it’s very emotional,” said Pat Lamb, who fanned her face to stop tears welling in her eyes as she described the pride she felt for the nation.
The decision to close the fairgrounds aligns with severe weather protocols designed to prevent mass casualty medical events.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat can quickly impair the body’s ability to cool itself, causing internal temperatures to rise faster than they can dissipate.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
When exposure to extreme conditions triggers a heat-related illness, symptoms can escalate rapidly from heat exhaustion — marked by heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and fainting — to a life-threatening medical emergency, according to the CDC.
Brad Shultis, a veteran, was turned away just after lunch due to extreme heat at The Great American State Fair. (Fox News Digital)
The most severe risk is heat stroke, which occurs when the body’s cooling mechanism fails entirely, potentially driving core body temperatures to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within minutes.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
To prevent severe complications like permanent organ damage or death, the CDC advises that anyone exhibiting warning signs such as confusion, slurred speech or a loss of consciousness should receive immediate medical treatment.
Public health officials urge individuals in high-heat environments to seek shade, stay heavily hydrated and identify air-conditioned cooling centers.
-
Crypto1 minute agoTrader Turns $2 Million of ETH Into $14,208 as Lighter Token Rallies 53%
-
Finance4 minutes agoMAS moves to rein in autonomous AI agents in finance
-
Fitness9 minutes agoHow Jackass Star Chris Pontius’ Simple ‘1-Rep’ Rule Keeps Him Jacked at 51 – and Why it’s so Effective
-
Movie Reviews19 minutes agoMovie Review – The Fetus (2025)
-
World31 minutes agoIndia's auto industry defends ethanol fuel mandate amid backlash
-
Lifestyle1 hour agoHow to enter your Sporty Spice era : It’s Been a Minute
-
Technology1 hour agoSome of the nation’s rich are letting AI teach their kids
-
World1 hour agoExperts ‘deeply’ concerned over Iran’s work at underground nuclear site
