About this topic
Aphasia is the loss of being able to speak or understand spoken words. This happens when the part of your brain that controls your speech is damaged. Reading and writing may also be affected. Aphasia may happen all at once, like in head injuries and stroke. There are some cases where it happens slowly, like if you had a brain tumor, infection, or dementia. ‚
Care depends on what parts of speaking, reading, or writing you have trouble with. This is most often found with different tests. Aphasia may get better on its own. Speech therapy can help to get these skills back. Speech therapy can also help with other ways to communicate. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Always have a pen and paper with you to write things down and help you remember.
- Keep a calendar to note your speech therapy sessions. Try not to miss any sessions.
- Ask family members to help you. Here are some pointers for you and your family:
- Use words that are simple.
- Ask your family to wait while you work on your thought.
- Ask them to give you their full attention. Turn off the TV and radio when talking.
- Ask them not to correct you.
- Have them include you in conversations.
- Ask them to go to speech therapy with you.
- It may be easier to talk with others by pointing to things. You can keep cards with pictures of simple things like a glass of water and light switches.
- Take all the drugs ordered by your doctor.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
- Your doctor may send you to a speech therapist to help your speaking, reading, and writing.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to prevent stroke if that caused your aphasia. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
- You will not have to limit your activity. If the cause was a stroke, there may be other reasons why you cannot move around as well.
- Trouble speaking, reading, and writing may affect your ability to go back to work or school.
- If there are not any physical limits, try to have an exercise program. It may help with your mental and physical health.
What problems could happen?
- The problem may be long-term
- Low mood
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wear proper head gear when riding motorcycles and doing sports.
- Use nonslip mats in bathrooms. Replace slippery rugs near doors and stairs with nonslip mats.
- Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels down by eating healthy foods and taking your drugs.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Trouble swallowing or choking when eating
- If you are thinking about harming yourself or the thought to harm yourself gets worse
- If you, your family, or friends see a change in your thinking or judgment
- Big change in balance
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
Join a support group. They will help you and your family meet others who are living with aphasia. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you ways my family can help me.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble swallowing or a change in balance.
Where can I learn more?
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ‚
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aphasia.htm ‚
National Aphasia Association ‚
http://www.aphasia.org/Aphasia%20Facts/aphasia_faq.html ‚
National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders ‚
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/Pages/aphasia.aspx ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aphasia/aphasia.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚