What Are The Definition Of Aphasia?
Aphasia is a communication disorder that results from damage to parts of the brain that are responsible for language. Aphasia can impair the expression and understanding of language, as well as reading and writing. The earlier aphasia is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is. If you suspect you have this condition, see your doctor.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Aphasia?
Some causes of aphasia include:
- Stroke (the most common cause)
- A severe blow to the head
- Gunshot wound
- Other traumatic head injuries
- Brain tumor
- Brain infection
- Other brain conditions
Aphasia Risk Factors
The following factor increases your chances of developing aphasia. If you have this risk factor, tell your doctor:
- Middle to old age
- Family history
- History of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
Aphasia Symptoms
Aphasia itself is a symptom of an underlying problem. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is caused by aphasia. These symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. If you experience any of them, see your doctor.
- Speech Problems
- Speak in short, fragmented sentences
- put words in the wrong order
- use incorrect grammar
- Change sounds or words
- Talk Nonsense
- Anomia (trouble finding words; words "on the tip of the tongue")
- Problems understanding spoken language
- Need extra time to process language
- Difficulty following very fast speech
- Taking the literal meaning of a figure of speech
- Trouble Reading
- Typing Problems
Aphasia Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. The neurologist treating your condition will most likely recognize your aphasia and perform simple tests that require you to follow directions, answer questions, name objects, and have a conversation. You may then be referred to a speech-language pathologist, who will perform additional tests to assess your speech and language abilities. Tests may include the following:
- Speech Assessment
- Assessment of the strength and coordination of the muscles of speech
- Vocabulary and grammar tests
- comprehension tests
- Reading and writing tests
- Ingestion tests
- Magnetic resonance imaging - a test that uses magnetic waves to take pictures of structures inside the head
- CT scan: a type of x-ray that uses a computer to take pictures of structures inside the head
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): A test that records brain activity by measuring electrical currents through the brain. This test can be performed in some situations.
Aphasia Treatment
Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Speech-Language Therapy
The speech and language specialist will help you use your remaining communication skills, restore lost skills, learn to compensate for language problems, and learn other methods of communication. This therapy will likely take place in both individual and group settings.
Family Counseling
The speech and language therapist will counsel your family on how to better communicate with you. A psychological evaluation may also be helpful. A psychological evaluation may also be helpful.
Aphasia Prevention
The most common cause of aphasia is a heart attack. To help reduce your chances of having a heart attack:
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Limit dietary salt and fat.
- Stop smoking.
- If you drink, do so in moderation.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Check and control your blood pressure
- Consider taking a low dose of aspirin, if your doctor recommends it.
- Keep existing conditions, such as diabetes and high cholesterol, under control.
Seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms of a stroke.