Afasia

Afasia, also known as aphasia, is a communication disorder that results from damage to the parts of the brain that control language. It can affect a person's ability to speak, write, and understand spoken and written language. Afasia does not affect intelligence.

The most common cause of afasia is a stroke. Other causes include traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, infections, and progressive neurological conditions. The specific symptoms of afasia depend on the location and extent of the brain damage.

There are several types of afasia. Broca's afasia, also known as expressive afasia, is characterized by difficulty producing speech. People with Broca's afasia may speak in short, halting phrases and struggle to find the right words. Wernicke's afasia, or receptive afasia, affects the ability to understand spoken and written language. People with Wernicke's afasia may speak fluently but their speech may not make sense, and they may have difficulty following conversations. Global afasia is the most severe form, affecting both production and comprehension of language.

Diagnosis of afasia typically involves a neurological examination and language assessments performed by a speech-language pathologist. Treatment for afasia usually involves speech and language therapy, which aims to help individuals regain as much language ability as possible. The recovery process can vary greatly depending on the individual and the severity of the condition. Support from family and friends is also crucial for individuals living with afasia.