Brain Fog and Fatigue
Original Post: Would an MRI be able to tell the difference between polio brain and Alzheimer’s? Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by a feeling “fog” and “fatigue.”
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Brain “fog” and “fatigue” are the most common PPS symptoms. The "white spots" we found in fatigued polio survivor's brains (indicating poliovirus-damage, not dementia) are easily differentiated from any other condition including MS (where there aren't white spots but patches of white) and dementias (where, for example, cortical atrophy (shrinkage) can be seen).
Any polio survivor who feels foggy or fatigued during the day should see their physician, and have a physical that includes blood work and a sleep study. Then your doctor will tell you if you need any other test.
The older we get, we can all develop white spots due to high blood pressure and other factors.
See The ENCYCLOPEDIA of POLIO and PPS. Look in the Index for articles under the topic: “Fatigue”.