June 2013 - Aphasia

Many people have experienced dealing with a family member or even themselves having a stroke. So much information is out about what to look for with regard to strokes, medications, and prevention. Our spotlight is shining on the June 2013 monthly observance of Aphasia sponsored by the National Aphasia Association. Aphasia, what is it? How is it diagnosed? How do you cure it? Excellent questions and we have the answers. Aphasia is defined according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) as a disorder that results from damage to the brain where speech develops usually the left side of the brain for most people. Aphasia can develop slowly as in cases of dementia or injection or fast in cases of brain injury or stroke.

Aphasia has different types Global, Broca’s, Wernicke's, Mixed, and Anomic. Global Aphasia is considered the most severe aphasia. Patients with Global aphasia have severe communication difficulties and may be extremely limited in their ability to speak or comprehend. Global aphasia is often seen after a person suffered a stroke but symptoms can improve if the damage to the brain is not extensive.

Broca’s aphasia patients have damage to the frontal lobe of the brain. They speak in short phrases that make sense but are produced with much effort. These patients are often have right-side weakness or may have a paralyzed arm or leg. Wernicke’s aphasia is where the patient’s ability to grasp the meaning of words is impaired but has the ability to speak. Patients with Wernicke’s aphasia have damage to the left or right temporal lobes where people make long sentences that have no meaning.

Mixed aphasia is similar to Boca’s aphasia the difference is that the patient is limited to understanding speech. These patients ability to read and write will not go beyond elementary school level. Lastly Anomic aphasia is where patient do not have the ability to speak.

Aphasia is diagnosed by a doctor usually a neurologist. Tests performed where a patient is to follow commands, answer questions, name objects and carry on a conversation. If aphasia is believed to be the cause of patients ailment a speech pathologist is called in to do a more comprehensive exam on the patient’s ability to communicate. The treatment for aphasia can vary from no treatment to needing speech language therapy this all depends on the damage the patient’s brain has.

When I met my grandmother-in-law she was recovering from a stroke. She did have the ability to speak however she was did have limited mobility which frustrated her. She was a very independent woman and the effects of the stroke clipped her wings. She felt like a burden to her family. My job was to let her know that not only was she not a burden but she was loved and it was my pleasure to help her in any way she needed. If did not treat her as someone who has a stroke, I treated her as what she was my grandmother and she deserved the utmost respect. Know that patients with aphasia are people and not a condition and need to be treated that way.

For further information on aphasia check out The National Aphasia Association http://aphasia.org

-VHHughes