What is Aphasia? And what are the Chances of Recovery?

As our elderly grow older, their neurological conditions are most likely to get affected. Many a time, neurological disorders are obvious in aged people, but it is not always so. Aphasia is one such neurological condition that is prevalent among the elderly, especially those who have had a stroke.

Aphasia can be termed as a neurological disorder that is the result of damage caused to certain portions of the brain that are connected with language. Usually, Aphasia occurs when the parts of the brain responsible for language are damaged. It cannot be termed as a disease, but a symptom of brain damage that may or may not be evident all the time.

The name originates from the word "aphatos" which, in Greek, means speechless. People who have had a stroke, or have Alzheimer's disease can have aphasia to some degree.

Signs and Causes of Aphasia

Aphasia is commonly associated with difficulty or absence in speech. It is a condition that negatively affects the person’s speech capabilities. The language disorder may also restrict the person from understanding the word spoken by another person and sometimes even the ability to read and write.
This condition is usually seen in people who have had a stroke, are suffering from dementia, or have had a head injury.  However, aphasia can also be caused by a brain tumor or any type of infection that damages the brain. The severity of the condition may be prevalent in various degrees and depends on the location and extent of damage that has taken place in the brain tissue.

Generally, aphasia occurs when the left part of the brain (for right-handed people) is damaged. These parts are commonly called the Broca's area and the Wernicke's area. When any of these parts, or the neural pathways that connect them is damaged, aphasia is caused. Epilepsy, brain tumor and migraine can also cause aphasia.

Aphasia, the Condition

Aphasia can be divided into four categories.

(1) Expressive aphasia: This is a condition where the patient finds it difficult to convey his thoughts into speech or written words. Here, the patient is aware and knows what he wants to convey, but he just fails to find the right words.

2) Receptive aphasia: In this type of aphasia, the patient has difficulty in understanding words that are spoken or written by another person. In this condition, the patient is able to clearly hear the speaker, or see the words written or printed, but is unable to follow or make sense of what has is being said or has been written.

3) Anomic or amnesia aphasia: This is the least severe of all forms of aphasia. Here, the patient has difficulty in tagging the correct names to objects or people, places, and events.

4) Global aphasia: This type of aphasia occurs when the damage to the language areas of the brain is severe and extensive.  It is usually seen that patients slowly lose mostly all language functions- of both comprehension and expression. They do not speak, read, write or understand speech.

Aphasia may also be fluent or non fluent. In the former, the patient’s speech is hard and un understandable. The actual ability to speak or write is not impaired, but the words spoken or written make no sense. In non fluent aphasia, the patient’s speech is slow and hesitant. The patient often struggles to get the words out, resulting in incomplete sentences with words missing.

Treatment Options for Aphasia

Doctors usually recommend a test for all patients who have had a stroke. This test for aphasia is usually carried out by a language therapist soon after the patient has suffered the stroke.

As the number of people that have aphasia after suffering a stroke is high, a test for aphasia is usually carried out soon after the stroke. The test also includes basic exercises such as naming objects, reading, writing, conversing, and understanding directions. Another test, the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination test, incorporates exercises to analyze the patient's language skills. A CT scan or MRI helps to locate the damage and its degree.  

SLT (Speech and Language Therapy) is about the only treatment available for aphasia. There are different levels of the condition and may warrant a few variations in the speech language therapy.

MIT (Melodic Intonation Therapy) is usually used to treat non-fluent aphasia. This therapy involves rhythmic humming or singing (melodic intonation). During this, the words and phrases that the patient finds difficult are repeated. The process acts as a stimulant on the right hemisphere of the brain.
The therapies may be individual or in the form of groups.

Age, cause of brain injury, the type of aphasia, and the position and size of the brain damage are factors to be considered for the treatment of aphasia.
The National Stroke Association offers some tips for handling people with aphasia:

• Speak slowly and stay calm when talking
• Use signboards or props to help people identify the patient
• Use pictures or draw the words on paper to communicate with people with aphasia

Research is on. Soon the range of scientific investigations will help to enhance our understanding of aphasia. Better treatment options will be unveiled and improved therapy methods will help restore the lost functions of aphasia patients.

References:

http://www.my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/aphasia/hic_what_is_aphasia.aspx
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/217487.php
http://www.webmd.com/brain/aphasia-causes-symptoms-types-treatments
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aphasia/aphasia.htm

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