Aphasia

I have always found aphasia incredibly interesting and terrifying all at the same time. Imagine not being able to communicate with language as smoothly as you do everyday. It is something that many of us take for granted.

Definition:
the loss or defect of language (speaking fluency, reading, writing, understanding of written or spoke words)

What are the 4 types of aphasia?
1. Wernicke's 
2. Broca's
3. conduction
4. global

Potential causes:

• stroke
• brain trauma
• brain tumor
• alzheimer's disease

Wernicke's

-receptive, fluent aphasia

-pt has hard time comprehending written or spoken language

-fluid speech, but difficult to understand

Broca's

-expressive, nonfluent aphasia

-speech is slow and requires effort

-few words used

-good comprehension of language

Conduction

-disturbance in repetition

-pathology involves the connections between Wernicke's and Broca's

Global

-often associated with RIGHT hemiparesis

-defect in all areas of language

How to treat
-many recover spontaneously in 4-6 weeks
-speech therapy



Photo source: emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu
Source: Step Up to Medicine by Agabegi and Agabegi