| Aphasia is a language disorder that results from | | | | language areas of the brain. Many times, the cause of |
| damage to portions of the brain that are responsible | | | | the brain injury is a stroke. A stroke occurs when, |
| for language. For most people, these are parts of the | | | | for some reason, blood is unable to reach a part of |
| left side (hemisphere) of the brain. Aphasia usually | | | | the brain. Brain cells die when they do not receive |
| occurs suddenly, often as the result of a stroke or | | | | their normal supply of blood, which carries oxygen |
| head injury, but it may also develop slowly, as in the | | | | and important nutrients. Other causes of brain injury |
| case of a brain tumor. The disorder impairs the | | | | are severe blows to the head, brain tumors, brain |
| expression and understanding of language as well as | | | | infections, and other conditions of the brain. |
| reading and writing. Aphasia may co-occur with | | | | Treatment for Aphasia |
| speech disorders such as dysarthria or apraxia of | | | | Starts early: Therapy is most effective when it |
| speech, which also result from brain damage. | | | | begins soon after the brain injury. |
| Some people with aphasia have trouble using words | | | | Builds on success: The speech-language pathologist |
| and sentences (expressive aphasia). Some have | | | | uses exercises to improve and practice |
| problems understanding others (receptive aphasia). | | | | communication skills. These may begin with simpler |
| Others with aphasia struggle with both using words | | | | tasks such as naming objects and evolve into more |
| and understanding (global aphasia). | | | | complex exercises of explaining the purpose of an |
| Aphasia is a total or partial loss of the ability to speak | | | | object. |
| correctly or to understand or comprehend what is | | | | Group therapy offers the opportunity to use new |
| being said. It may be caused by brain injury or | | | | communication skills in a comfortable setting. Stroke |
| disease. It's most often caused by a stroke that | | | | clubs, which are regional support groups formed by |
| injures the brain's language center, located on the left | | | | individuals who have had a stroke, are available in |
| side of the brain in most people. Some people with | | | | most major cities. These clubs also offer the |
| aphasia recover quickly and completely after a | | | | opportunity for individuals with aphasia to try new |
| stroke. Others may have permanent speech and | | | | communication skills. In addition, stroke clubs can help |
| language problems. | | | | the individual and his or her family adjust to the life |
| Causes of Aphasia | | | | changes that accompany stroke and aphasia. |
| The most common cause of aphasia is brain damage | | | | Language therapy should begin as soon as possible |
| resulting from a stroke — the blockage or rupture | | | | and be tailored to the individual needs of the patient. |
| of a blood vessel in the brain. This disruption of the | | | | Rehabilitation with a speech pathologist involves |
| blood supply leads to brain cell death or damage in | | | | extensive exercises in which patients read, write, |
| areas of the brain controlling language. Aphasia may | | | | follow directions, and repeat what they hear. |
| also be caused by a severe head injury, a brain | | | | Computer-aided therapy may supplement standard |
| tumor or an infection. | | | | language therapy. |
| Aphasia is caused by damage to one or more of the | | | | |