Neurology-Online

Stroke of the language center

introduction

Stroke is a sudden onset of blood flow disorder in the brain that causes nerve cells to die in this area. There are several causes of a stroke. The most common is the blockage of a vessel by a clot, which can occur, for example, due to cardiac arrhythmias or arteriosclerosis. Bleeding can also lead to the destruction of nerve cells.

Typically, symptoms of unilateral paralysis and numbness occur, but the symptoms can vary greatly depending on the location of the stroke. If the stroke affects the left half of the brain, the language center can also be damaged and cause a language disorder.

Symptoms of a stroke of the language center

Basically, one can differentiate between two language centers: the Broca area (frontal lobe) and the Wernicke area (temporal lobe). These language centers are mostly located in the left half of the brain. For left-handers, however, these can also be in the right half.

With a stroke in the area of Broca's area, the patient develops a speech disorder (motor aphasia). This means that the person affected can no longer talk or can only talk with great difficulty. The understanding of the language remains, so everything that others say is understood. However, the patient does not manage to speak himself or only very slowly and like a telegram. If the Wernicke area is affected by a stroke, a speech disorder develops (sensory aphasia). Those affected can speak without any problems, but the content does not make any sense. Often words are repeated or reinvented.
Another language disorder is anamnestic aphasia, in which word finding disorders mainly occur. Patients often search for or describe words. However, you can speak fluently and understand everything without any problems.

The worst form of speech disorder is when both Broca and Wernicke areas are affected (global aphasia). Then those affected can neither speak nor understand. Communication is therefore extremely limited.

Find out more about the topic here:

Stroke Symptom Test - I can test this myself
Symptoms of a circulatory problem in the brain

The long-term consequences

The long-term consequences of a stroke in the language center vary from person to person and are heavily dependent on how severely the patient is affected and what other diseases are also present. In general, patients with a mild speech disorder recover better and faster. However, even severely affected people can learn to speak again. Studies show that around a third of patients have language recovery within the first month. After 6 months, even 44% of those affected no longer have any impairment.

Speech therapy plays a central role in regaining speech. The regions of the brain affected by the stroke can also have an impact on the long-term consequences. If the patient is also limited in his attention and cognitive abilities, rehabilitation of speech becomes more difficult. Finally, the psychological consequences of impaired communication should not be underestimated. These can be very frustrating for the patient and cause a depressed mood. The social environment can also change. The patient is no longer completely independent of others and the relatives also have to adapt to the new situation and in some cases need advice and support.

The stroke can lead to further serious consequences. Find out more at: These are the consequences of a stroke!

The Cure

In order to regain speech functions, it is very important to start systematic speech therapy immediately. Supporting spontaneous healing in the early phase can bring great progress. It has been scientifically proven that at least 5 to 10 hours of therapy per week are necessary to be proven to cause an improvement. Daily speech therapy is even recommended for severely affected patients.

The duration of therapy can take more than a year, depending on how severe the language disorder is. Usually, individual therapy is offered at the beginning, in which speaking and understanding, but also attention, are trained. In the course of the therapy you can also do the therapy in a group and practice communication skills.

Another important component is the involvement of relatives. These can have a major impact on the patient's motivation and progress. But sometimes they also need advice on how to best achieve this. Finally, certain medications can have a supportive effect in parallel with speech therapy.

Also read the article: The cure after a stroke.

You can do this yourself to improve healing

The best thing you can do as a sufferer is practice a lot and take advantage of speech therapy. Language disorder is a frustrating and scary consequence of stroke. Many patients lose motivation and quickly become desperate. That is understandable, but practicing is the most important component of therapy and should not be neglected.

You should not only do the exercises in the therapy sessions, but also practice communication in everyday life, as well as reading and writing. Here the relatives play an essential role. Self-help groups are also of great help. There you can get to know other affected people who share their experiences and give advice. So you realize that you are not alone in dealing with the consequences of a stroke.