Aphasia

Aphasia is a neurological [noo r-uh-loj-i-kuh l] disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate. It is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control language. The damage impairs previously developed communication skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Aphasia is common in people who have suffered a stroke, but it may also be caused by injury, tumors, infections, or dementia. Severity will vary from person to person. Treatment can help some people improve their ability to communicate.

General symptoms of aphasia include:

• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty understanding speech
• Difficulty reading or writing

There are many types of aphasia and each can cause different communication problems. The type and severity of the aphasia depends on what part of the brain is damaged and how badly it is damaged. Some common types of aphasia include:

• Broca aphasia. This is also known as expressive or non-fluent aphasia. A person with Broca aphasia will have a hard time expressing themselves – they may speak in short phrases and have a hard time choosing or saying words, but their words are meaningful. They can usually understand what others say. Broca aphasia is usually caused by damage to the front part of the brain.
• Wernicke aphasia. This is also known as receptive or fluent aphasia. A person with Wernicke aphasia will have a hard time “receiving” communication – it is difficult for them to understand spoken and written language. They may also speak in a way that sounds natural or “fluent.” However, what they say won’t make sense or have normal meaning, in part because they’ll use incorrect or made up words. It is usually caused by damage to the temporal lobe (the side of the brain near the ear). 
• Global aphasia. This is a severe form of aphasia. People with global aphasia lose most of their ability to communicate – they will have very limited or no ability to speak, understand speech, read, or write. It is caused by broad damage to the language areas of the brain.

Because aphasia is usually caused by another medical condition or problem, contact your doctor immediately if you begin to notice:

• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty understanding speech
• Difficulty reading or writing

Call 911 if you suddenly have trouble speaking – your words are slurred or confused. This is a sign of a stroke and requires immediate medical attention. Other signs of stroke include:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

Causes of aphasia include:

• Stroke
• Heady injury (trauma)
• Brain tumor
• Brain infection
• Progressive neurological disorder

Temporary aphasia (also known as transient aphasia) can be caused by a seizure, severe migraine, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a ministroke.

Tests to diagnose aphasia:

• Imaging tests. MRI and CT scans provide detailed images of the brain. The scans help the doctor locate the area and size of any brain damage. 
• Language tests. The doctor tests the person’s ability to:
  • Have a conversation
  • Answer questions
  • Name objects
  • Follow instructions
  • Repeat words and phrases
  • Read and write

A speech-language pathologist will do additional test to better understand the patient’s needs and abilities.

Your doctor will likely recommend speech-language therapy to treat aphasia. This therapy typically proceeds slowly and gradually. However, you should start it as early as possible after a brain injury. Your specific treatment plan may involve:

• Performing exercises to improve your communication skills
• Working in groups to practice your communication skills
• Testing your communication skills in real-life situations
• Learning to use other forms of communication, such as gestures, drawings, and computer-mediated communication
• Using computers to relearn word sounds and verbs
• Encouraging family involvement to help you communicate at home

Aphasia is usually caused by another medical condition or problem. The most common cause of aphasia is stroke. Decreasing your risk of stroke or other associated conditions will decrease your risk of aphasia.

See the support and resources section below for information on stroke and stroke prevention.

FS149 Stroke and TIA: What You Need to Know and Do:
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/ext/Dcmnt?ncid=520686246

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA):
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Aphasia/

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD):
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/aphasia

The National Aphasia Association (NAA):
https://www.aphasia.org/

Aphasia is a neurological [noo r-uh-LOJ-i-kuh l] disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate. Aphasia is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control language, which are typically located in the left side (hemisphere). The damage impairs already developed communication skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Aphasia is most commonly seen in people who have had a stroke. During a stroke, blood supply to part of the brain is cut off or reduced. Brain cells are not able to get oxygen and begin to die, causing damage to that area of the brain. It can also be caused by damage from a head injury (trauma), brain tumor, brain infection, or other progressive neurological disorder, like Alzheimer’s Disease.

Aphasia can affect people of all ages, even children. Aphasia doesn’t mean a person is any less smart – only that a person has difficulty using language.