Aphasia (αφασια = absence of speech) is an acquired language disorder. Aphasia affects the expression and/or understanding of spoken and written language. It occurs due to brain injuries caused by a stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, or other causes.
In addition to language difficulties, depending on the affected brain area and the severity of the damage, a person with aphasia may also experience:
Hemiplegia (usually affecting the right side of the body)
Hemianopsia (hemi – half, anopsia – vision) – the person perceives visual information normally in the visual field on the healthy side of the body but not on the affected side.
Issues performing conscious, voluntary actions (apraxia). Simple actions, such as dressing or drinking, become difficult or impossible to perform voluntarily. For example, someone with apraxia may instinctively blow on a matchstick to avoid burning their finger but might not know how to blow out a candle if asked to do so.
Difficulties with eating, drinking, or swallowing (dysphagia). Additionally, due to paralysis and lack of sensitivity on one side of the face, saliva may sometimes unintentionally escape from the corner of the mouth, which can amplify feelings of embarrassment or shame.
Difficulties with concentrating and maintaining voluntary attention
Memory problems
Changes in emotional reactivity and feelings, as well as other complications
The symptoms of aphasia and its accompanying complications are unique to each patient. Each of the issues mentioned above may or may not accompany language impairment.