Communication + swallowing difficulties Flashcards
Define aphasia
language difficulties that can occur after a stroke
When does aphasia occur?
when there is damage to the area of the brain responsible for language which is located in the left hemisphere (in the majority of patients)
What is it called when reading, speaking, auditory comprehension or writing are affected by a stroke?
reading = acquired dyslexia
writing = acquired dysgraphia
speaking = expressive aphasia
auditory comprehension = receptive aphasia
Describe receptive aphasia
difficulties with understanding and processing information (verbal and/or written)
Clinical presentation of receptive aphasia
difficulties following commands
yes/no response may be unreliable
may have ‘jargon’ - speech is fluent but off topic
usually able to recognise (and use) social phrases (eg. goodbye)
may have poor insight into difficulties
Describe expressive aphasia
difficulties with producing language (verbal and/or written)
Clinical presentation of expressive aphasia
word finding difficulties
may repeat what you’ve said
may perseverate
may be frustrated
can be variable - unable to speak to occasional difficulties
writing may be impaired
may be able to use drawing/gestures/pointing
Describe dysarthria
a motor speech disorder affecting the motor planning, programming, neuromuscular control or execution of speech
Clinical presentation of dysarthria
speech can sound slurred/unintelligible
language is intact
can affect respiratory, phonatory, articulatory and/or resonatory components of speech
may be able to write/use an alphabet or communication chart
brainstem stroke - anarthria or ‘locked in syndrome’
Describe apraxia of speech
pathways between motor cortex and facial muscles have been disrupted resulting in difficulties with motor speech planning
Clinical presentation of apraxia of speech
reduced speech intelligibility
articulation errors (substitutions, distortions)
initiation difficulties, articulatory groping (visible, audible), speech slowed
inconsistent errors
pure apraxia of speech means that language is fully intact - comprehension is good and there are no word finding difficulties
Describe dysphonia
sometimes a stroke can result in weakness in the laryngeal muscles resulting in reduced or no movement of the vocal cords
voice may sound rough/strained/hoarse
can result in complete loss of voice (aphonia)
Causes (other than stroke) for dysphonia
vocal nodules, polyps, muscle tension dysphonia, inflammation/irritation (reflux)
What is dysphagia?
swallowing difficulties
Common causes of dysphagia?
stroke
brain injury
other neurological disorders
