7. Cognitive Changes: The Silent Alterations
Cognitive changes are often the unspoken burdens carried by PPMS patients. While external physical symptoms are easier to spot, the mental shifts are subtle, insidious, and sometimes more debilitating. Patients may experience difficulty focusing, memory lapses, or even challenges in processing information as swiftly as they once did.
Multiple sclerosis, including its progressive form, results in scarred or damaged regions in the brain. This can disrupt the efficient signaling between neurons. The brain, being the central hub for cognition, when impaired, can lead to noticeable lapses in memory, attention span, and other cognitive abilities.
The implications of these cognitive shifts seep into every aspect of a patient’s life. Mundane tasks can become daunting puzzles. Conversations can turn frustrating as patients grapple with recalling words or processing thoughts. The self-awareness of this decline often becomes a source of distress, leading to a diminished sense of self-worth. (7)
