Aphasia is caused by damage to the brain in areas where language is processed. This is usually due to a stroke or a blood clot. Other causes of brain damage are several blows to the head, brain tumors, gunshot wounds, brain infections, and neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease. Brain damage takes place when brain cells die due to not receiving their normal supply of blood which carries oxygen and other important nutrients. To read an article on our blog about strokes click this link.
There are different types of aphasia within the categories of fluent and non-fluent. A patient diagnosed Wernicke’s aphasia may speak in long complete sentences that have no meaning. Patients with Wernicke's aphasia are often unaware that they are making mistakes and they can have difficulties understanding speech. Non fluent Bronca’s aphasia is the most common type of aphasia. People diagnosed with Bronca's aphasia may understand speech and know what they want to say but they say it in short phrases. In Bronca's aphasia the frontal lobe is affected by brain damage. They also can have right sided weakness or paralysis of the arm and leg. Individuals with Global aphasia have extreme communication difficulties and are limited in their ability to speak or comprehend language. They can repeat words or phrases over and over again. Also they can have trouble understanding simple words and sentences. Other types of aphasia can occur when parts of the brain are affected in other regions where language areas operate. Conduction aphasia is where a person has difficulties repeating words but can speak fluently and understand. Anomic aphasia is where a person has difficulties naming objects when knowing what the object is and what it's used for.
Aphasia is diagnosed with MRI scans or CT scans that confirm the presence of a brain injury. The MRI and CT scans are used to determine the exact locations of the damage. The patient can also visit a speech language pathologist who can perform a comprehensive exam of the patient to determine what caused the symptoms. The doctor walks the patient through commands, ability to speak, ability to express ideas, converse socially, understand language, and read and write.
Aphasia is treated by therapies used to rehabilitate the parts of the brain that have been damaged. Speech and communication can improve over time even without treatments. Speech language therapy is normally used for rehabilitation. The improvements can continue over the years but this varies with the extent of the damage, age, and health of the individual. Therapy focuses on the specific need of the person and there have been technological advances in treatments. Virtual speech pathologists can deliver care online and through a screen. Speech generating applications on tablets and phones can help with communication. Practice makes perfect and patients are asked to participate in activities such as book clubs, technology groups, and art and drama clubs. Stroke clubs and support groups exist for people who need them. This can help a person grow confident and adjust to the changes in their life. Families are encouraged to participate because they can learn how to communicate with their relatives.
Some tips for people working or helping an aphasia patient include avoiding cutting the person off and avoiding correcting the person’s speech. Encourage communication and value the person's opinions while minimizing distractions. Don’t belittle the person while maintaining a natural conversational manner appropriate for an adult. Repeat the content words or write them down to clarify what you're trying to communicate. Simplify the language and participate in therapy sessions. Remain patient and understand the pattern of communication of the clients specific ques like yes or no.
Research is underway for aphasia patients. New speech language therapies, drug therapies, imaging methods, non-invasive brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and others exist. These techniques are being tested in clinical trials.(National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) If you need help with the process of aphasia place an order for a caregiver to help. Our services page reviews all the services covered with one of our PCA trained and certified caregivers. This includes transfers, bathing, meal prep, transportation, incontinence care, light housekeeping, and communicating basic client information to the family.
Works Cited:
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. “Aphasia.” NIDCD, NIH, 6 May 2017, www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/aphasia. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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