What causes aphasia

2022 - 3 - 31

Post cover — Image courtesy of "WSLS 10"

What causes aphasia, the brain condition that has Bruce Willis ... (WSLS 10)

On Wednesday, much of the world began googling the word “aphasia” after learning of Bruce Willis' diagnosis.

When it comes to treatment, the Mayo Clinic explains that some may recover language skills without treatment; however, most people undergo speech and language therapy. The most common cause, according to the Mayo Clinic, is brain damage from a stroke, as the loss of blood to the brain leads to brain cell death or damage in areas that control language. It effects not just reading and writing, but also listening skills, as the ability to understand both spoken and written language is impacted.

What is aphasia? An expert explains the condition forcing Bruce ... (The Conversation US)

Actor Bruce Willis, 67, is “stepping away” from his career in film and TV after being diagnosed with aphasia, his family announced on March 30, 2022.

But the road can be long, and it depends on the extent of damage to the brain. Unlike in cases of stroke, the onset will be very mild at first – people will slowly forget the names of people or of objects. It is usually people over the age of 65 simply because they have a higher risk of stroke. There is also a separate form of the condition called primary progressive aphasia. A loss of both speaking and comprehension of language would suggest damage to both the large temporal lobe and frontal lobe. Some people with aphasia only have difficulty understanding language – a result of damage to the temporal lobe, which governs how sound and language are processed in the brain.

Aphasia: What's the condition that forced Bruce Willis to quit? (Aljazeera.com)

The veteran Hollywood actor's retirement has drawn attention to the little-known illness that has many causes.

Most commonly, it is caused by a stroke that cuts off blood to part of the brain. “As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” the family said in a statement. The announcement by American actor Bruce Willis that he will be “stepping away” from the big screen has drawn attention to aphasia, a little-known condition with many causes.

Difference Between Aphasia, Dementia Explained After Bruce Willis ... (Newsweek)

Willis' daughter Rumer announced the action film star's aphasia diagnosis via Instagram. The condition affects people's abilities to communicate with ...

She told Newsweek: "If someone is worried they may have aphasia, I would advise them to seek support and advice from a healthcare professional." "For example, after a stroke, speech and language therapy can work with people on exercises that may help recover their language," said Northcott. "Speech and language therapists can also support people to work out different ways to communicate, and help them to build confidence in living with their aphasia." The action star is perhaps best known for his role as John McClane in the Die Hard film franchise. "If you are worried about a loved one that appears to be having frequent problems with language use that are increasing over time, then it is important to discuss those challenges with the person." In fact, many people with aphasia have full capacity to make decisions for themselves, though the ability to process the information required to make that decision or to communicate that decision to others might be a challenge, Brady added. "Aphasia is the loss of language abilities due to brain damage, which affects the ability to use words including speaking, understanding speech, reading and writing," Professor Marian Brady, director of stroke rehabilitation research at Glasgow Caledonian University in the U.K., told Newsweek. "Dementia is an umbrella term for general cognitive decline of which one aspect may be language problems."

What causes aphasia, the brain condition prompting Bruce Willis to ... (pennlive.com)

A stroke, tumor, head injury or other damage to the language centers of the brain can cause aphasia.

Without oxygen and nutrients, brain cells die, which leads to the difficulty retrieving words. Willis’ family announced Wednesday that the 67-year-old actor has been diagnosed with aphasia but did not provide any details on a possible cause. A brain infection or Alzheimer’s disease can trigger it.

Bruce Willis and aphasia: University of Louisville doctors explain the ... (Courier Journal)

Johns Hopkins calls the condition a "language disorder" that can impact men and women equally.

Speech therapy can help those with loss of language, Kaelin said. This goes beyond just forgetting a name here or there, she said. Dr. Kerri Remmel, the Director of Stroke for U of L Health, said it's an "acquired disorder of the ability to understand or express language," though it can look different depending on the person and cause.