Pronounced: Ah-fay-gee-ah
Aphasia is a communication disorder that results from damage to parts of the brain that are responsible for language. Aphasia can impair the expression and understanding of language, as well as reading and writing. The sooner aphasia is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment. If you suspect you have this condition, contact your doctor.
The following factor increases your chances of developing aphasia. If you have this risk factor, tell your doctor:
Aphasia itself is a symptom of an underlying problem. If you experience any of these symptoms do not assume it is caused by aphasia. These symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The neurologist who treats your brain condition will most likely recognize your aphasia and perform simple tests that require you to follow commands, answer questions, name objects, and have a conversation. You may then be referred to a speech-language pathologist, who will perform further tests to assess your speech and language skills.
Tests may include the following:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
The speech-language pathologist will help you use your remaining communication abilities, restore lost abilities, learn to compensate for language problems, and learn other methods of communicating. This therapy will likely take place in both individual and group settings.
The speech-language therapist will counsel your family in learning how to best communicate with you.
Psychological evaluation may also be helpful.
The most common cause of aphasia is stroke. To help reduce your chances of a stroke:
RESOURCES:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org
Brain Injury Association of America
http://www.biausa.org
National Aphasia Association
http://www.aphasia.org
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Aphasia Institute
http://www.aphasia.ca
York-Durham Aphasia Centre
http://www.ydac.on.ca
References:
Aphasia. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Aphasia_info.htm. Accessed September 14, 2006.
Aphasia. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/aphasia.asp. Accessed September 14, 2006.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
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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