What does aphasia mean? What are the causes and symptoms of it? Is it a transient or serious disease? You can find important information in the following article:
The following information on aphasia will be introduced, along with the key points you should be aware of:
What is meant by aphasia?
Damage to the areas of the brain responsible for language and expression can cause the disorder aphasia. This disease manifests as problems with spoken or written language skills; It makes it difficult for the patient to communicate with others, and it makes it difficult to use and understand different words.
The levels of intelligence and awareness are unaffected by aphasia, but it affects language abilities, making it difficult for the patient to interact normally with those around him. The disease's symptoms vary from person to person in terms of their severity and nature. Depending on the amount of damage to the brain tissue , and depending on the part of the brain that has been damaged.
A stroke is among the many factors that can cause aphasia. Although it more frequently affects the elderly, this disease primarily affects adults. The condition of a patient receiving speech therapy can get better. In a few cases, the patient can fully recover from aphasia after a while.
Types of aphasia and symptoms of each type
The different types of this disease can typically be distinguished from one another by examining and tracking symptoms that are specifically related to three abilities: speech fluency, comprehension, and the capacity to repeat pronunciation of words or phrases.
Here are the most common types of aphasia:
1. Broca's aphasia
This type of aphasia is known by other names, such as expressive aphasia and non-fluent aphasia, and is one of the most common types of aphasia. Damage to the frontal portion of the brain's language processing section causes Broca's aphasia.
Here are the most prominent expected symptoms of the condition:
- The patient is able to repeat the sentences and words that he says, but not the words and phrases that other people say to him.
- the patient's inability to form words and phrases; Although the patient is fully aware of what he wishes to say.
- Complete silence or, in some severe cases, the inability to produce any sound from the larynx.
- Movement disorders, in particular because the affected brain regions in this type of aphasia border regions of the brain in charge of movement control.
It is important to note that a person with Broca's aphasia can understand what other people are saying to him and is aware of a language impairment.
2. Wernicke's aphasia
Receptive aphasia and fluency aphasia are two other names for this type of aphasia. Wernicke's aphasia is a typical form of aphasia, though it is less typical than the type previously mentioned. This type of aphasia arises from damage to the lateral part of the language processing section of the brain.
Here are the most prominent expected symptoms of the condition:
- Difficulty understanding what other people are saying, especially complex phrases.
- making difficult-to-understand sentences; using random words and nonsensical language.
- Having trouble repeating words or phrases that the patient hears repeatedly.
- Eye issues, in particular because the affected brain regions in this type of aphasia border regions of the brain that might be involved in the vision process.
3. Global aphasia
This form of aphasia is the most severe and typically results from damage to a significant portion of the brain involved in language processing, which is frequently caused by a stroke.
Here are the most prominent expected symptoms of the condition:
- The patient's propensity to repeat specific words and phrases as well as their incapacity to do so.
- Having actual physical difficulty when trying to speak.
- Complete silence or, in severe cases of total aphasia, only soft sounds
- the capacity for understanding short phrases but not longer, complex sentences.
- Inability to read and write.
If severe health conditions in the head, like a stroke, are the cause of global aphasia, other serious complications could include paralysis and blindness.
4. Other types of aphasia
There are many other types of aphasia, such as:
- Nomenclature aphasia is a condition in which a patient is unable to elicit the appropriate words when speaking or writing about a variety of topics.
- Conductive aphasia is characterised by a patient's inability to recall or pronounce words normally, but it has no impact on the patient's comprehension or perceptual abilities.
- Other types, such as: subcortical and cross-linked aphasia.
Causes of aphasia
Aphasia typically results from damage to the areas of the brain involved in language perception, including Broca's area and Werenicke's area, which are named for some of the aphasias mentioned above.
The following is a list of the most significant causes of aphasia:
1. Diseases of the nervous system
Like the following:
- brain attack.
- Alzheimer's disease .
- Parkinson's disease.
- brain tumors
- sister.
- Epilepsy.
- aneurysm condition.
- Brain inflammation.
Certain causes of aphasia, such as a migraine, can result in temporary aphasia.
2. Other factors
such as the following factors:
- exposure to specific toxins, head injuries, and concussions are among the risks.
- Having certain genetic disorders, such as Wilson's disease.
- Undergoing certain medical procedures, such as chemotherapy and brain surgery.
Diagnosis of aphasia
By administering specific tests to the patient, the disease can be identified, including:
- language skills tests; It includes tests to assess the ability to: speaking, writing, and reading.
- MRI.
- Computed tomography .
- Positron emission tomography.
Aphasia treatment
Numerous variables, including the patient's age and the severity of the condition, affect the course of treatment. Here are some recommended choices:
- Language and speech therapies.
- Group therapeutic support sessions.
- Nonverbal communication therapies.
It is important to note that while aphasia treatments frequently do not completely cure the condition, they may improve the patient's language abilities.