Aphasia is basically a disturbance of both written and spoken language caused by brain damage or injury. It is characterized by disturbed expression, of both the spoken and written language as well as by disturbed comprehension, of both auditory and reading inputs.
What are the major areas in the brain responsible for language?
Wernicke’s area: The auditory comprehension of spoken speech takes place in this area. It is located in the back part of the superior temporal gyrus (that is in the lower side of the head).
Broca’s area: The motor area for spoken speech is situated in the back part of the left lower frontal gyrus (that is in the lower front part of the head).
What is the pathology behind aphasia ?
Aphasia is mostly due to brain injury. Brain injury could be due to various causes, such as a stroke especially in older individuals, head trauma or infections and brain tumours.
What are the symptoms of aphasia ?
Aphasia can be highly varied, ranging from very mild to very severe. It may affect either only a single aspect of communication (such as the inability to retrieve names of persons & objects, inability to string together sentences or the inability to read) or it may affect multiple modes of communication. In these cases, there may be still some channels available for communication.It could affect either the sensory component, that is basically comprehension or the motor component that is articulation, fluency, repetition, naming and writing.
How is aphasia diagnosed ?
There are various tests for testing both speech and comprehension.
A) Tests for testing of spontaneous speech
- Fluency: The speech’s fluency has to be checked for, without hesitations and interruptions.
- Effort taken for one’s speech: A patient’s speech has to be checked if it is effortless/effortful.
- Vocabulary: Word-finding difficulty, a stammering and stumbling speech has to be checked.
- Grammar: The speech should be checked for grammar.
B) Tests for testing comprehension
- Can the patient hear and understand speech?
This is tested by telling the patient to obey a command(s). Ask the patient to show his or her tongue, close his or her eyes, or even lift a limb.
- Can the patient be fluent or not?
Is the speech incessant, rapid, and uninterrupted or with hesitations?
- Does the speech make sense?
Jargon speech, an extreme example of nonsensical speech is devoid of meaning.
How can you communicate with people who have aphasia ?
You can Modify Your Speech by discussing only one main idea at a time, pausing between ideas, using simple sentences and stating points directly, repeating key information at end, signaling new topic and end of topics.Repeat, rephrase, verify and summarize whatever you are talking about.You can Supplement Speech with gestures and facial expressions, writing down key words and drawing as you talk. It may be a good idea to use pictures, magazines and photos as props. Make use of the surroundings (talk about a picture/photo or other objects in the room).
What is the treatment of aphasia ?
Encourage writing or drawing for aphasic patients. Encourage pointing by them. Help them identify general topic first, then details of the topics. Encourage the person to use your written words. Communication can be helped by professionals.
How to find neurologists for aphasia treatment ?
Now you can find neurologists for aphasia treatment from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple neurologists, get cost estimates for aphasia treatment from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a neurologist for aphasia treatment.
Find a neurologist for aphasia treatment on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider
