Aphasia refers to a communication disorder that develops after brain damage to the areas responsible for language.
Patients with aphasia may have trouble with:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
- Understanding speech
According to the National Aphasia Association, around one million people in the United States have some form of aphasia.
The Signs and Symptoms of Aphasia
The symptoms of aphasia can be mild or severe, depending on the affected area and the degree of damage.
Symptoms that affect expressive communication include:
- Speaking in short, incomplete sentences
- Speaking in incomprehensible phrases
- Using nonsense words
- Messing up the order of the words
Symptoms that affect receptive communication include:
- Difficulty following fast-paced speech
- Having trouble with understanding other people’s speech
- Misunderstanding figurative speech
The Causes of Aphasia
Aphasia occurs after damage to the brain. Most commonly, the injury interrupts blood flow to the language area, which leads to brain cell death.
Here are the possible causes of aphasia:
- Brain tumors
- Severe infections
- Dementia
- Neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease -insert link of the previous article)
- Traumatic injury
- Stokes
The Treatment Options for Aphasia
The treatment of aphasia focuses on reversing the underlying cause.
Additional treatments include:
- Exercises to improve communication skills
- Group therapy to practice and acquire speaking skills
- Real-life situations to test communication skills
- Implementing other forms of communication (e.g., drawings, gestures, computer-mediated communication)
- Relearning sounds and verbs
Aphasia is a complex condition that affects a person’s ability to speak correctly. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, telemedicine makes it possible for you to get the care you deserve. Schedule a virtual consultation with a Telakai Health online Provider and get on the road to recovery. Schedule your visit today.
