Aphasia And It’s Treatment

Damage to a particular region of the brain that regulates language expression and comprehension is the cause of the language disorder aphasia. A person finds it difficult to interact with others.

Aphasia is a common side effect of stroke. Aphasia affects both men and women equally, and the majority of sufferers.

The most frequent cause of aphasia is a stroke and the accompanying brain damage it causes. The rupture or obstruction of blood arteries supplying the brain causes a stroke. As a result, the blood supply to the brain is reduced, depriving it of the oxygen and vital nutrients it needs to sustain its living cells.

A brain tumour, an infection, or a degenerative condition can also cause aphasia to manifest. The degree of language impairment is always based on the underlying aetiology of aphasia.  If you or your spouse are facing such issues, seek Online Marriage Counselling at TalktoAngel.

A migraine attack may cause temporary aphasia. A transient ischemic attack (TIA), a mini-stroke, or a seizure can cause it. Anyone who has a TIA has a higher chance of later developing a full-blown stroke.

Treatment

Without medical intervention, linguistic abilities can be recovered in cases with minor brain damage. The majority of people, however, receive speech and language therapy to enhance their communication abilities and repair their language skills. To assist those with aphasia, researchers are looking at the use of drugs either by itself or in conjunction with speech therapy.

Speech and language rehabilitation 

Language recovery is typically a gradual process. Few people fully recover their pre-injury communication levels, despite the fact that the majority make significant gains.

The goal of speech and language therapy is to enhance communication. By restoring as much language as possible, training how to make up for lost language abilities, and identifying alternative communication channels, therapy helps.

Therapy

Aphasia therapy tries to increase a person’s capacity to communicate by assisting them in using their remaining language abilities, regaining some of their lost language abilities, and learning alternative communication methods like gestures, drawings, or using technology. While group therapy gives patients the chance to practise new communication skills in a small group environment, individual treatment concentrates on the individual’s unique needs.

According to several research, therapy works best when it starts right after a brain damage.

works frequently in groups. People with aphasia can practise communicating in a group setting in a secure setting. Participants can practise starting discussions, taking turns speaking, answering questions, and resolving snags in conversations.

maybe involving computer use Relearning verb tenses and word sounds can be very beneficial when using computer-assisted treatment (phonemes).

The number of patients who engage in activities like literature clubs, technological groups, art and theatre clubs is rising. Such interactions help patients regain their self-assurance and social self-esteem in addition to improving their communication skills. In the majority of major cities, there exist stroke clubs, which are neighbourhood support organisations created by stroke sufferers. These groups can assist a person and his or her family in adjusting to the changes in life brought on by a stroke or aphasia.

Medications

Aphasia is being researched as a potential treatment using some medications. These include medications that could increase the brain’s blood flow, speed up the brain’s ability to recover, or replenish the brain’s chemical reserves (neurotransmitters). In tiny studies, a number of drugs have showed promise, including piracetam, donepezil, galantamine, and memantine (Namenda, Aricept, Adlarity). However, additional study is required before these treatments can be advised.

Other treatments

Brain stimulation is being researched as a potential aphasia treatment and could aid with naming skills. However, no extensive research has yet been conducted. Transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation are two types of treatment.

The goal of these therapies is to revive injured brain tissue. Both don’t cause any harm. The other employs a low current flowing through electrodes put on the head, whereas the first uses magnetic fields.

Coping and support

People with aphasia

The following advice may assist you in communicating with people if you have aphasia:

• Keep a card on you that describes your aphasia and what it is.
• Carry your identity and contact information for your significant other.
• Always keep a pencil and a little pad of paper on you.
• Utilize pictures, diagrams, or drawings as short cuts.
• Make hand motions or point at things.

Family and friends

The following advice can help family members and friends communicate with someone who has aphasia:

• Simplify your language, and move more slowly.
• Initially, keep conversations private.
• Give the other individual some time to answer.
• Don’t complete sentences or fix mistakes, but it’s acceptable to ask inquiries if you’re unsure of the intended meaning. You could inquire, “Are you suggesting you want juice,” for instance.
• Reduce the amount of background noise.
• Maintain a supply of paper and pens or pencils.
• To help clarify things, put a crucial word or a brief sentence in writing.
• Assist the aphasic person in compiling a book of words, images, and photographs to aid in conversation.
• When you can’t be understood, use drawings or gestures.
• As much as you can, include the person with aphasia in talks.

If you or anyone in your family are having such issues, feel free to seek Marriage Counselling at TalktoAngel.