From Silence to Speech: Conquering Dysphasia After Stroke
At our clinic, we understand the challenges and complexities associated with dysphasia, a common condition following stroke. Dysphasia, or difficulty with language and communication, can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and ability to interact with others.
Understanding Dysphasia
Following a stroke, many patients will experience dysphasia. This can be devastating, so it's important to understand how to recover from a stroke, the rehabilitation process, and how to manage the effects of dysphasia.
Dysphasia is commonly displayed after a stroke, which is an impairment in the ability to speak.
At Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, we're here to ensure you have a stroke management specialist who can talk to you about the various treatment options and procedures while also providing you with personalized treatment.
Dysphasia is commonly seen following a stroke, but it can take a number of different forms. It may involve slow speech, difficulty speaking, and even using a limited vocabulary.
Dysphasia vs. Aphasia
While dysphasia and aphasia are commonly used interchangeably, there are differences.
Aphasia is the full loss of language skills. Dysphasia refers to only partial loss of language.
Symptoms and Causes of Dysphasia
The most common symptoms of dysphasia include:
- Mixing up the order of words
- Using nonsensical words
- Struggling to speak
- Speaking in fragments
- Omitting certain words
The cause of dysphasia can vary, though it is most commonly seen following a stroke. Other conditions that can lead to this include neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's as well as brain tumors, epilepsy, and even more severe migraines.
Types of Dysphasia
There are three forms of dysphasia that can be diagnosed.
Expressive: A person is impacted by their ability to speak and articulate themselves.
Receptive: A person is impacted by their ability to comprehend speech.
Combined/Global: A person struggles with expressing themselves as well as understanding language.
Diagnosis of Dysphasia
There are a number of tests that can be done to help diagnose dysphasia. It may also be necessary to conduct a stroke test.
Most commonly, a doctor will perform a physical exam, order an MRI scan, and examine reflexes.
The Impact of Dysphasia on Stroke Survivors
Stroke survivors may struggle with a number of symptoms following the stroke. Particularly when dysphasia is in place, the patient cannot detail all of what they're feeling.
Beyond impaired speech, they may be suffering from weakness or paralysis of limbs or an entire part of the body.
If the paralysis is in the face, it can lead to further speech impairment – and it may be a component that patients may never truly recover from.
Treatment and Management of Dysphasia
Dysphasia can go away on its own, but some people may have it permanently. This is why it's important to focus on managing dysphasia and learning how to adapt.
Speech therapy is common, and there are various other technologies that can be used to help someone communicate more effectively with those around them.
What It Feels Like for a Stroke Survivor
A stroke survivor may not know all that is going on around them. They are confused, unable to get their point across, and may not have full use of their limbs. It can lead to not only confusion but also irritability and agitation.
Understanding that a person has had a stroke is critical. Be patient and know that it's critical that they seek the help of a medical professional.
Empowering Stroke Patients with Dysphasia
Stroke patients need patience and understanding. Give them a safe space and encourage them – don't correct them. Instead, let them finish their sentences or thoughts without interrupting them.
Isolation and loneliness can occur in patients with dysphasia because they have lost the ability to communicate. Maintain eye contact and let them use any method of communication that is available to them, whether it is writing things down, text messaging, or body language.
Seek Diagnosis and Treatment in Singapore Today
It's important to get the necessary diagnosis as soon as possible. Particularly if you or a loved one has suffered from a stroke, you'll want to discuss dysphasia and explore a treatment plan. At Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, our stroke specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja, is here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
Consult a Stroke Specialist in Singapore
Dr. Manish Taneja, is an expert in endovascular and image guided neurointerventional procedures of brain and spine. He has special interest in treatment of brain aneurysms, stroke and vascular malformations. Come in for a further evaluation and arrange an appointment today with our stroke specialist.
Stroke Resources
Stroke In Younger Adults: What You Need to Know
You are never too young to have a stroke. As such, it is important to know what to look out for and how your lifestyle increases your risk of having a stroke.
We've Got You Covered for Specialized Stroke Screening, Prevention, and Management
Imagine heart attacks where the blood flow to your heart is blocked. Similarly, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted becoming a "brain attack". When blood supply does not reach a certain part, brain cells begin to die. Different types of stroke include ischemic strokes (blockage of blood vessel due to blood clot) or a mini stroke, a TIA (transient ischemic attack), with no permanent damage yet serious. Stroke also occurs when a blood vessel in the brain pops causing bleeding in the brain.
When a stroke occurs, the symptoms of stroke depend on how blood flow to the brain is affected. Individuals at high risk and even higher risk (family history) often have high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, or another risk factor for stroke, all of which increase the risk of stroke. Disrupted blood flow can even damage the blood vessel in the brain and affect one side of the body. Having a stroke doesn’t mean it has to lead to permanent disabilities. Recognizing early warning signs is essential to reduce the risk, and in some cases, procedures such as carotid endarterectomy may help increase the blood vessel in the brain and restore healthy circulation.
Certain areas of the brain can be affected by stroke and some symptoms of a stroke including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood sugar levels increase the risk of stroke whereas an active lifestyle or controlling high cholesterol reduces the risk. How well do you know stroke? Find tips to prevent and manage stroke, the differences in stroke screening tests, and the newer technology and treatments available. Come in for an easy consultation and further evaluation with our stroke specialist in Singapore at the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic.
Supreme Vascular and Interventional Stroke Programs
Brain Aneurysm Resources
Explore our brain aneurysm resources. Understanding a brain aneurysm often involves learning across several areas.
Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar
Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can change over time. The key concern is when an aneurysm ruptures, which can disrupt blood flow, affect brain tissue, and lead to serious brain damage. Controllable conditions like high blood pressure can increase this risk and treatment options can depend on the condition. Surgical clipping is one option that prevents blood from entering the weakened area. In many cases, minimally invasive treatments can also be used to restore normal blood flow and reduce risk. We have created structured guides to help you explore each stage in more detail:
A simple (computed tomography) CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various neurological conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our neurointervention specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.