Aphasia

There are different forms of aphasia depending on the part of the brain affected:

• Expressive aphasia (Broca’s aphasia): Difficulty in producing speech, though comprehension may remain intact.
• Receptive aphasia (Wernicke’s aphasia): Difficulty understanding spoken or written words, but speech may be fluent (though often nonsensical).
• Global aphasia: Severe form with impairments in both speech production and comprehension.
• Conduction aphasia: Difficulty repeating words despite good comprehension and fluent speech.

Aphasia can present in many ways depending on severity and type:

• Spontaneous speech disturbance, such as difficulty in articulation, fluency, grammar, word substitution, and loss of intonation
• Difficulty in remembering the names of objects or people
• Inability to comprehend words, instructions, or concepts
• Inability to repeat words or phrases
• Difficulty in reading and writing

Aphasia occurs due to damage in the part of the brain responsible for language comprehension and expression. This may happen due to stroke, brain injury, or brain infections/inflammation. Certain factors may increase the risk of developing aphasia:

• Pre-existing learning disabilities such as dyslexia
• Rare gene changes
• History of stroke, head injury, or other neurological conditions 

Doctors use a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging tests:

• Clinical examination: Assessment of speech, comprehension, naming, and repetition.
• MRI brain: To detect the underlying cause of aphasia or dysphasia

Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and helping the patient regain communication skills:

• Treatment of underlying disorder: For example, stroke management or treatment of brain inflammation.
• Speech therapy: To improve comprehension and verbal output. Therapy is tailored to individual needs and may include exercises, communication aids, and family training.

Aphasia that appears suddenly should be treated as a medical emergency, especially if accompanied by weakness, vision loss, or confusion. Seek medical help if you notice:

• Sudden difficulty in speaking or finding words
• Trouble reading, writing, or following instructions
• Unclear speech (to rule out stroke)

While aphasia itself cannot always be prevented, lowering the risk of its common causes can help:

• Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes to prevent strokes.
• Using protective gear to avoid head injuries.

Patients with suspected aphasia should consult a Neurologist (for diagnosis and treatment of the underlying brain condition).