Pronounced: ah-LEX-ee-ah ah-NOM-ee-ah
Alexic anomia happens when you lose your ability to understand written words. You can no longer read. This is a type of aphasia , which is a language disorder. It is caused by brain damage. This is a serious condition that may change over time, depending on the cause.
Alexic anomia is caused by damage to the language areas of the brain, for example:
These factors increase your chance of developing alexic anomia:
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
If you have any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to alexic anomia. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will do a physical exam. To help differentiate alexic anomia from other, similar conditions, your doctor may perform a neurological examination, tests to check brain function, and/or order these tests:
You may be referred to a neurologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the nervous system.
Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Since stroke is the most common cause of aphasia, follow these guidelines to help prevent stroke:
RESOURCES:
National Aphasia Association
http://www.aphasia.org/
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/index.asp/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Aphasia Institute
http://www.aphasia.ca/
Brain Injury Association of Alberta
http://www.biaa.ab.ca/
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/splash/
References:
Alexia. American Medical Association Complete Medical Dictionary. In: EBSCO Consumer Health Complete website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisMarket.php?marketID=14 . Published 2003. Accessed November 5, 2008.
Aphasia. Cornell Illustrated Encyclopedia of Health: The Definitive Home Medical Reference . In: EBSCO Consumer Health Complete website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisMarket.php?marketID=14 . Published 2002. Accessed November 5, 2008.
Aphasia. EBSCO Publishing DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated June 2007. Accessed November 17, 2008.
Aphasia. EBSCO Publishing Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=1034 . Updated November 2008. Accessed November 5, 2008.
Cherny LR. Aphasia, alexia, and oral reading. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2004;11:22-36.
Freedman L, Selchen DH, Black SE, Kaplan R, Garnett ES, Nahmias C. Posterior cortical dementia with alexia: neurobehavioural, MRI, and PET findings. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1991;54;443-448.
Kirshner HS. Aphasia and aphasic syndromes. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Butterworth Heniemann Elsevier; 2008: 141-160.
NINDS aphasia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aphasia/aphasia.htm . Updated October 2008. Accessed November 5, 2008.
Stedman TL. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005;48; 177; B13-B14.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Judy Chang, MD, FAASM
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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