The ability to communicate is easily taken for granted. However, effective communication skills do not necessarily last a lifetime, and many people may develop difficulties with understanding words, speaking, reading, or writing.
 

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the brain area that controls language expression. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that aphasia can occur at any age but is more common in those over 65. Many people are unfamiliar with aphasia, but learning more about this condition can be helpful. Here are seven things to know about aphasia, courtesy of Johns Hopkins and The National Aphasia Association.
 

  1. Aphasia is caused by damage to the language-dominant side of the brain, which is usually the left side.

  2. Stroke is one of the biggest contributors to the onset of aphasia. Other brain injuries, such as head trauma, brain tumors, or infections in the brain, also may cause aphasia.

  3. Aphasia may be mild or so severe that it makes communication with an affected person nearly impossible. 
     
  4. The condition can mainly affect a single aspect of language, such as the ability to name objects or to complete sentences. More often, though, it affects multiple aspects of communication. 

  5. There are three main types of aphasia. Broca aphasia is sometimes called an expressive aphasia. People can communicate, but may eliminate words from their language, resulting in short, meaningful sentences. They usually can understand some of others’ speech. Wernicke aphasia is sometimes called receptive aphasia. People with this type speak in long, confusing sentences with extra words. They usually have difficulty understanding others’ speech. Those with global aphasia have trouble understanding and speaking.

  6. Aphasia is more common than Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy. Despite this, many people have never heard of the condition.
  7. Improvement of conditions for those experiencing aphasia may be slow-going. Some people may improve over a period of years and even decades. If symptoms last longer than two or three months after a stroke, a complete recovery is improbable. Speech-language therapy, the use of computers or pictures to express oneself, and group therapy are often treatment options.

Aphasia can be frustrating and scary for a patient and their loved ones. Depending on which areas of the brain are affected, a treatment and therapy plan can be adapted to the person’s specific needs.  

Learn more about aphasia, including its causes, research, resources, support, and treatment interventions, at https://aphasia.org.