What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is a neurological disorder. It is caused by damage to the areas of the brain that are responsible for language, usually parts of the left hemisphere of the brain. The location of the damaged tissue determines how severely the aphasia affects the patient. Difficulty in expressing oneself when speaking, trouble understanding speech, and difficulty with reading and writing are the main signs of aphasia. Aphasia is a symptom of brain damage, not a disease. Although it impairs one's ability to speak with and understand others, aphasia does not affect intelligence. Aphasia can occur slowly or quickly; usually, it suddenly occurs due to a stroke or head injury, but it can also develop slowly if there is a brain tumor, infection, or dementia.