Aphasia is a problem that affects the ability to speak, write, and understand language.
This health problem is caused by an injury to the brain, such as:
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Aphasia is more common in older adults. It is also more common in people who have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.
Aphasia is a symptom of an underlying problem. It may cause:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Speech language, and communication tests may be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis. You may also need to see a doctor who treats the nervous system.
Other tests may be done to find the cause of the aphasia.
The cause of aphasia will need to be treated. The goals of treating aphasia are to improve or maintain communication.
Speech and language therapy will be needed to:
There are no guidelines to prevent aphasia. It is caused by underlying health problems.
National Aphasia Association
http://www.aphasia.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov
Aphasia. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Aphasia. Accessed April 7, 2020.
Aphasia. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/aphasia.aspx. Updated March 6, 2017. Accessed April 7, 2020.
Stroke rehabilitation in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/management/stroke-rehabilitation-in-adults. Updated February 24, 2020. Accessed April 7, 2020.
Last reviewed February 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD Last Updated: 4/7/2020