Symptoms of aphasia are:<ul><li>Difficulty speaking</li><li>Trouble understanding speech</li><li>Difficulty with word recall</li><li>Problems with reading or writing</li></ul> Treatment depends on the root cause. Some people can recover from a brain injury such as a stroke, depending on which parts of the brain were affected. Rehabilitation programs, including a speech pathologist, can help with recovery. Aphasia therapy helps people with aphasia to use their remaining language abilities, restore language abilities, and learn other ways of communicating, such as gestures, pictures, or the use of electronic devices.

Aphasia symptoms and treatment

Aphasia is caused by damage to one or more brain areas responsible for language, such as a stroke. When the blood supply to part of the brain is stopped or greatly reduced, it can prevent the brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. The impact can be immediate and lasting. Other causes of aphasia are severe head injuries, brain infections, brain tumours or a progressive neurological condition, such as Alzheimer’s.

Aphasia doesn't happen on its own

Bruce Willis has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, a disorder that stems from damage to parts of the brain responsible for speaking, writing and understanding language. About 180,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with aphasia every year. It can occur after a sudden emergency, like a stroke or a head injury, or come on more slowly over time. It can affect people of any age but is more common in middle-aged or older individuals.

Aphasia affects communication

Some people with aphasia may speak in short or incomplete sentences or longer sentences that are non-sensical. They also use unrecognisable words. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with aphasia fall into one of three patterns.<ul><li>Expressive aphasia: They can understand others but struggle to respond in complete sentences. They may say things like: "Walk park today."</li><li>Comprehensive aphasia: People speak in long, complex sentences that are non-sensical. They don't always know that people don't understand them.</li><li>Global aphasia. People have poor comprehension and a poor ability to form words.</li></ul>

Communication challenges

Bruce Willis is "stepping away from acting" because of the health condition. Here's what causes it and how it affects people.

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career

Communication challenges

What You Need To Know About Aphasia

IDEA ABOUT

MORE LIKE THIS

Neuroscience: Overview, history, major branches

What Happens When You Can’t Talk to Yourself?

What You Should Know About Confusion

It's time to

READ

LIKE

A PRO!

Bite-sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

Communication challenges

What You Need To Know About Aphasia

IDEA ABOUT

MORE LIKE THIS

Neuroscience: Overview, history, major branches

What Happens When You Can’t Talk to Yourself?

What You Should Know About Confusion

It's time to

READ

LIKE

A PRO!

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career