Aphasia - causes, forms & treatment of the speech disorder

Aphasia is an acquired speech disorder caused by damage to the brain, usually due to a stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumour or neurological disease.

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Wissenswertes über "Aphasia"

Aphasia is an acquired speech disorder caused by damage to the brain, usually due to a stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumour or neurological disease.

In aphasia, damage to the brain impairs speaking, understanding, reading and writing to varying degrees, depending on which areas of the brain are affected. The most common cause is damage to the left hemisphere of the brain, where most people's speech areas are located.

There are various forms of aphasia, including Broca's aphasia, which is characterised by slow, laboured speech with shortened sentences, and Wernicke's aphasia, in which those affected speak fluently but their speech is often meaningless or incomprehensible. Other forms include global aphasia, the most severe form with extensive impairments in all areas of language, and amnestic aphasia, which is primarily characterised by word-finding disorders.

Treatment is primarily carried out through speech therapy (speech therapy), which is individually adapted to the severity of the aphasia. The aim is to improve language skills through targeted training or to learn alternative ways of communicating. The prognosis depends on various factors, including the extent of the brain damage, the affected brain region and early and continuous therapy. Neuroprotective nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12 and magnesium, which can promote the regeneration of nerve cells and support brain function, can also have a supportive effect.