What is aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder affecting how you communicate. It results from damage to the area of the brain controlling the expression and comprehension of language. Aphasia leaves a person unable to effectively communicate with others. A person with aphasia may have trouble understanding, speaking, reading, or writing.

Many people suffer from aphasia due to a stroke. It can affect both genders equally. Anyone can have it, and most of them have it when they are above 65 years old.

There are several types of aphasia. These are primarily diagnosed according to the part of the language dominant side of the brain affected, and also by the extent of damage. For example:

• The front part of the language-dominant part of the brain is affected in people with Broca aphasia.
• The language-dominant part of the brain is affected in Wernicke aphasia patients.
• A huge section of the language-controlling parts of the brain is damaged in people with global aphasia.

What are the types of aphasia?

There are several types of aphasia, such as:

• Transcortical motor aphasia
• Conduction aphasia
• Global aphasia
• Transcortical sensory aphasia
• Mixed transcortical aphasia
• Broca's aphasia
• Primary progressive aphasia
• Wernicke's aphasia (receptive aphasia).

What are the signs of aphasia?

The type of aphasia a person has determines the symptoms.

• Expressive aphasia is the other name used for Broca aphasia. For example, patients who experience this type of aphasia could refrain from saying "and" and "the" when using words in conversations. They might opt to use shorter but powerful sentences while talking. Generally, most of them will understand parts of what others communicate. People experiencing Broca aphasia mostly lose the strength and function of both their arms and legs on the right side.
• Wernicke aphasia is also known as receptive aphasia. People suffering from this kind of aphasia may use long, cryptic sentences, omit words, or invent new ones. They mostly fail to understand what other people are saying.
• People suffering from global aphasia have difficulty both in understanding or speaking language.

What causes aphasia?

The most common cause of aphasia is brain injury caused by a ruptured or blocked artery that carries blood to the brain. In that process, the ruptured or blocked artery causes damage or death of the brain cells in the parts of the brain controlling language.

It also can be the result of the brain damage resulting from a very severe head injury, a tumor, an infection, or some other degenerative process. With these causes of aphasia, the aphasia typically occurs together with other cognitive problems, like memory problems or confusion.

It is termed as primary progressive aphasia for difficulty with language to arise gradually. It is attributed to the slow degeneration of the brain cells residing in the networks of the brain for the management of the language. This particular type of aphasia, sometimes, evolves to generalized dementia.

Sometimes, the condition can exhibit temporary episodes of aphasia, which can also be caused by migraines and seizures or TIA. In TIA, the blood supply to a brain area is interrupted temporarily. Such individuals are liable to suffer another stroke in the near future if they have a history of a TIA.

How does it affect the brain?

The type of aphasia you have depends on the location of the damage in your brain. There are two main parts of your brain that involve language, including:

• Broca's area: This is in your frontal lobe. It's on the left side, in front of your temple. It controls the muscles you use to speak.
• Wernicke's area: This lies in your temporal lobe. It is on the left side of your head, above your ear. It is responsible for the ability to comprehend and choose the right words to use when speaking.

These two brain areas work in concert to let you speak. Wernicke's area processes your sense of words, picking which you will use and sending signals toward Broca's area. From there, the signals go into the muscles of your mouth or larynx that you move when you are speaking.

What are the risk factors for developing aphasia?

Aphasia occurs to anyone at any age and most often in individuals above the age of 65 as after an event, stroke, or condition that damages the brain; at that time, it may occur suddenly.

What are the complications of aphasia?

Aphasia renders a person incapable of articulating the wants or needs. You could fail to tell someone that you are hungry or tired, or need help, or that something is wrong. This can lead to:

• Frustration.
• Anger (probability of violence).
• Isolation.
• Depression.

Because of the barrier created by the language, caregivers feel frustrated and upset that they cannot talk to their loved ones.

How aphasia is diagnosed?

Aphasia can be diagnosed by the application of language tests as conducted by a speech-language pathologist. Such tests include: study of speech, naming, repetition, comprehension, reading, and writing. Diagnostic tests related to the brain in addition to language tests may include imaging procedures like:

• CT scan: Imaging done through this method is via the utilization of X-rays and a computer to create detailed pictures of one's body. For CT scans, considered most of the time when organs of interest are intracavitary, the information gives extreme detail on the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans, however, are usually more intimate to general X-rays.
• MRI scan: This scanner works with large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to get very detailed pictures of organs and structures in the body without the use of X-rays.
• Positron emission tomography: This is a computerized imaging modality that uses radioisotopes to examine body processes.

What is the treatment for aphasia?

The choice of treatment is dependent upon the symptoms, age, and overall health of the afflicted person. Severity of condition is yet another determining factor on which to consider the treatment.

The objectives of therapy are to create communication abilities using means such as:

• Speech-language therapy
• Nonverbal communication methods like computers or pictures
• Group therapy involving both patients as well as their relatives

What medications are there for aphasia?

Medications may treat the underlying condition of aphasia, and the treatment options are numerous. Appropriate medicines will be recommended by your doctor depending on the actual situation and conditions. They will also take into account any pre-existing conditions or preference that may have an impact on your health care.

How soon can I expect to feel better after treatment?

Recovery time from aphasia is dependent on the causative agent, the severity of the condition, and treatment options available. Your doctor would be the best source of information regarding your recovery timetable.

Can aphasia be prevented?

Aphasia does not happen regularly, and it is not possible to prevent it in any way. However, you can very well try to prevent diseases leading towards it by following simple measures like:

• Eating regular healthy meals and doing regular workouts: Most of the causes of aphasia are those related to the internal circulatory and heart health of a person. Overall health maintenance would just be the first good step towards an action to prevent it.
• Ignoring infections: Eye and ear infections should be treated quickly. As their infection strengthens, it could eventually get to the brain, at which point it may be less treatable or even fatal. The infection might damage brain cells that can then lead to aphasia.
• Regularly wear protective equipment: Head injuries can lead to brain damage. For those times when you should be at work or enjoying time off, the right use of safety equipment helps reduce the odds of sustaining an injury that might lead to aphasia. Some examples of safety gear include safety belts and helmets.
• Guiding pre-existing conditions: Chronic conditions, if not managed properly can trigger complications like damage to the brain damage and lead to aphasia.

What s the outlook for aphasia?

Aphasia has variable prognosis. In some instances, it can be transient and may resolve over a period of time. With others, it can be long-term if there is permanent damage to the language center of the brain. The improvement can be in symptoms with speech therapy, but the effects cannot be entirely reversed.

The overall outlook of an individual suffering from aphasia may depend on several factors including his general health status and what brought about his symptoms. Therefore, your health care provider will be able to educate you more on your outlook in particular.

How can I take care of myself?

Sometimes the tasks of everyday life seem more difficult to handle. There are many ways to take care of yourself while facing aphasia:

• Visit your healthcare provider regularly.
• Follow your recommended treatment plan.
• Join support group advocacy for persons with aphasia.
• Alternate means for communicating and trying out new technology when it is available.
• Carry with you an identifying card that indicates to others that you have aphasia, while at the same time, continue carrying it around with you all the time.
• Your provider can make other additional recommendations that may relate more directly to your case.

When should I see doctor?

Because aphasia often represents a serious underlying problem, such as a stroke, call for emergency services right away if you or a family member suddenly experience:

• Trouble speaking
• Trouble understanding speech
• Difficulty in recalling words
• Failure in reading or writing

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for aphasia?

Tender Palm Hospital, owned by doctors, is renowned for attracting the most experienced professional in the country. With the finest neurologist and neurosurgeons specialized in aphasia. Tender Palm stands out as the premier Neurology hospital in Lucknow, India. Boasting cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced technology, Tender Palm ensures top-notch medical care for its patients.

To seek an expert consultation for any Neurology condition

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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