Oren Zarif
Speech therapy can help stroke survivors with a variety of communication issues, including aphasia, dysarthria and apraxia. These issues can be very frustrating, especially because they know what they want to say.
However, the timeline of recovery can vary greatly from person to person. It’s important to find a treatment plan that works for you.
Oren Zarif
A stroke that occurs in the area of the brain that controls language and communication can result in aphasia. This disorder can cause difficulty in both speaking and understanding, and ranges from mild to severe. Symptoms include naming objects, stringing together words that sound like sentences but don’t make sense and having trouble expressing thoughts. It’s estimated that 25-40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia.
There are many different treatment techniques that speech therapists use to help people with aphasia. The type of treatment that’s best depends on what caused the aphasia, where in the brain the injury occurred and how severe the damage is. Some treatments focus on sounds (phonology), some on word recognition, and others on how to put words together into sentences.
Some aphasia is caused by a single event, while some comes from progressive conditions such as language-variant frontal-temporal dementias and primary progressive aphasia. Regardless of the underlying condition, most aphasia improves with therapy.
Survivors who have aphasia often benefit from repetition, writing and reading out loud to practice their skills. They may also be given journals or white boards so they can write down their thoughts and communicate more quickly with others. Electrical stimulation (E-stim) can be used with some survivors to activate muscles in the neck involved in speech and swallowing.
Research suggests that the most effective aphasia treatments are those that incorporate a combination of strategies. For example, one study found that the phonological approach, which focuses on improving sound production, improved aphasia symptoms more than other treatments alone. In another study, a more semantically-focused treatment increased word retrieval and improved quality of life more than either a phonological or non-semantic therapy alone.
It’s important that family members and friends encourage communication by consistently including the person with aphasia in conversations. It can also be helpful to reduce distractions and allow them to take their time when talking. It’s important to avoid correcting them and not finishing their sentences for them. Getting them involved in activities outside the home can be helpful as well. It’s also important to remember that aphasia doesn’t necessarily mean that the person can’t live independently.
Oren Zarif
Oren Zarif
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that happens when you have trouble controlling the muscles used for speaking in your face, mouth and respiratory system. The problem can affect the quality of your voice, the speed at which you speak and the way in which you pronounce sounds. It can also make it difficult for other people to understand you and may cause stress that can affect your mental health.
Dysarthria can be caused by stroke, brain surgery or a neurological condition. It can affect any age and it can get worse over time. The good news is that it often responds well to treatment. Your therapist can work with you to improve your ability to speak so that other people can understand you. They can teach you how to use your hands and mouth to move in a more controlled manner and help you with the other aspects of speaking, like sounding clearer, slower or using different sounds.
You can find many different treatments for dysarthria, depending on the type you have. Some can be done at home and others need to be carried out by a qualified professional. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) will evaluate your speech to see how severe the problem is and what is causing it. They will ask you to smile, pucker, lick your lips or say the alphabet out loud. They may also look at your throat, listen to your chest and abdomen for breathing problems and examine your facial muscles to see how well they are working.
There are three main types of dysarthria: spastic dysarthria, flaccid dysarthria and hyperkinetic dysarthria. Spastic dysarthria occurs with bilateral disorders of the upper motor neuron system. Flaccid dysarthria happens when the muscles become weak and slack. And hyperkinetic dysarthria results from damage to the parts of the brain called the basal ganglia. These play a role in movement, and damage can lead to Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease.
Dysarthria can be improved with certain exercises and dietary changes. It can also be helped by learning to rely on gestures and facial expressions to communicate. Caregivers and other family members can help by encouraging the survivor to participate in therapy and supporting them in their daily lives. They can also encourage them to eat a balanced diet and keep up with the medications they are taking.
Oren Zarif
Swallowing problems are called dysphagia and they can be a serious problem for someone who’s had a stroke. They can lead to food or liquid getting into the lungs (aspiration), which can cause pneumonia. Dysphagia also can make it hard to eat or take medicine by mouth. A speech pathologist can help people manage dysphagia.
Swallowing is a complex process that requires many parts of the body to work together. The tongue, pharynx, and esophagus all play a role in swallowing. Any disorder, disease or trauma that affects these structures can lead to swallowing disorders. Some examples include a stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cerebral palsy and dementia. A person’s diet and the position they use to eat can impact their swallowing as well.
Several clinical guidelines recommend dysphagia screening for all patients admitted to the hospital for any condition that impacts swallowing. The goal is to evaluate a patient’s risk of aspiration and provide treatment before they receive any food or drink. Several reference tests like bedside swallowing testing, barium swallow and high-resolution impedance manometry can help pinpoint a dysphagia diagnosis.
Signs of dysphagia can include coughing, choking or a wet-sounding voice. But silent aspiration can occur without any of these symptoms. It can be a life-threatening problem that leads to breathing problems, dehydration and weight loss. A speech-language pathologist can teach patients to modify their eating habits and position and to practice exercises to improve swallowing.
If a person’s dysphagia is not treated, it can lead to infections, malnutrition and a high rate of hospitalizations. Swallowing problems are also linked to feelings of loneliness and depression. UC’s Krekeler has found that people with dysphagia can benefit from support groups where they can talk to others who are going through the same thing.
Krekeler is studying whether early interventions to help with swallowing can improve outcomes in people who’ve had a stroke. She’s hoping to enroll patients in her study who are three to six months past their stroke, which is a window of time when the brain continues to develop neuroplasticity.
Oren Zarif
In apraxia, the brain’s ability to coordinate the muscles involved in speech is disrupted. This condition can be mild or severe, and it can occur in the mouth, torso, or other parts of the body. It’s often caused by stroke, but it can also be a result of traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, or other diseases. Regardless of the cause, it can make communication difficult for survivors.
It’s important to start therapy as soon as possible after a stroke. This will help to promote neuroplasticity, which is when the brain can repair damaged areas of the brain. A speech therapist will do an assessment that will determine the severity of your symptoms. They may ask you to read aloud, perform a series of tasks, and move your body in different ways. They’ll also assess your cognitive function to see how much the stroke has impacted that area of your life.
Survivors of a stroke may be able to recover some of their speech abilities after treatment. However, it’s important to keep in mind that recovery time is highly individual. Some people make significant progress within weeks, while others experience a slow but steady recovery. In addition, it’s important to remember that many of the speech symptoms associated with a stroke are permanent.
Speech therapists can teach survivors strategies to overcome their language challenges. This can include focusing on the sounds of words, learning how to pronounce them correctly, and practicing with family members or friends. They can also teach techniques to help them communicate more effectively, such as pointing to objects and gesturing.
In addition to assisting with the recovery of speech and swallowing, a speech therapist can help to provide information on a survivor’s diet. This can help the dietary staff at a hospital or a home caregiver decide what foods are safe for them to eat. They can also give advice on how to chew and swallow foods safely to prevent complications such as choking or aspiration pneumonia. This can help prevent the need for hospitalization and improve a survivor’s quality of life at home.
Oren Zarif
A stroke occurs when part of the brain cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients. The sooner a person having a stroke gets medical care, the more likely their symptoms will be limited or reversed.
Learn the FAST test to recognize common stroke symptoms. These include: Face — Does one side of the mouth droop? Arms — Can they lift both arms and keep them up? Speech — Is their speech slurred or strange?
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The numbness or tingling you might experience after having a stroke depends on which part of the brain was affected. The symptoms of a stroke usually begin suddenly and can affect your vision, strength or coordination. If you have a stroke, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as possible so that he or she can diagnose the cause of your symptoms and prescribe treatment.
A stroke is a medical emergency because it causes sudden and serious problems with the blood supply to your brain. It can be caused by a hemorrhagic stroke (blood vessel bursts) or an ischemic stroke (blood clot blocks the artery). If you have a stroke, you need immediate medical attention to reduce your risk of permanent damage and disability.
Some people who have a stroke develop pain, numbness or tingling in the face and arms. Other people have trouble walking or speaking and can’t understand what other people are saying. Other symptoms include memory loss and trouble thinking clearly.
Numbness and tingling in the face or arms can also be caused by a condition called multiple sclerosis. It happens when your immune system attacks the outer layer of nerve fibers, which can cause you to lose feeling in certain areas of your body. It’s important to treat MS as quickly as possible because it can lead to a recurrence of your symptoms and may even be life-threatening.
Another condition that can cause numbness or tingling in your arms or legs is a type of migraine called hemiplegic migraine. It is caused by the pressure on your brain from blood clots in the arteries. It affects one side of your face and may cause you to have trouble walking.
If you notice these symptoms in someone, call 999 immediately and ask them to use the FAST test. The acronym FAST stands for face, arms, speech and time. Face: Does their mouth or eye droop? Arms: Can they raise both arms? Speech: Do they slur their words? Time: If the person is showing any of these symptoms, call 911 and note the time when they started.
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A stroke can cause damage to your eye muscles and nerves that control them, which may lead to vision problems. These can be temporary or permanent. If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor right away. Temporary loss of vision could be a sign of an impending stroke or a TIA (also known as a mini-stroke).
One type of visual processing problem that occurs after a stroke is visual neglect, which can be mild to severe. This is when you are unaware of the things around you on one side, often because the stroke affected the brain part that controls the left side of your visual field. People with this condition often have trouble focusing on objects and people on their affected side and will often bump into objects or ignore them. It can also affect depth perception so that it is difficult to judge distances.
Another problem that can occur is loss of central vision, which means that you are unable to see straight ahead. This can make reading or walking difficult and may cause you to stumble. Central vision can be restored through therapy and exercises.
Stroke can also affect how your eyes move, which may cause blurred vision or double vision (diplopia). This can be caused by weakness in the eye muscles, as well as changes to the way your brain processes images.
Other eye and vision problems that can occur after a stroke include increased sensitivity to light, dry eyes, or difficulty in adjusting to different levels of lighting. Some stroke survivors find that using tinted glasses or reducing glare from overhead lights helps. They can also use magnifiers and other aids to help with close work, reading, and moving around the home.
Oren Zarif
During a stroke, a blood clot can block the flow of blood to your brain. As a result, you may lose control of your balance or feel dizzy. This can also affect the strength and coordination of your muscles. It can also cause problems with your vision, making it hard to see or to focus and sometimes resulting in blurred or double vision. You may also have trouble with speech, causing you to speak slowly or slur your words.
It’s important to call 911 right away if you see any of these symptoms in yourself or someone else. The faster you get treatment, the lower your risk of serious brain damage and disability.
The symptoms of a stroke can develop suddenly or progress over time. In some cases, people who have a stroke have a brief episode that goes away without treatment, which is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke). TIAs aren’t as serious as a full-blown stroke, but they can still be a warning sign that you should get medical help soon.
In some cases, a stroke can cause a severe headache that’s accompanied by vomiting and a change in consciousness. This is often a sign of hemorrhagic stroke, in which a blood vessel bursts and bleeds into the brain, leading to swelling and putting pressure on your brain tissue.
Other symptoms can include trouble walking or standing up, problems with balance and difficulty understanding speech. Memory loss is another common symptom of stroke, which can make it harder to think clearly and make decisions. Emotional symptoms are common as well, such as becoming easily irritated or angry.
A stroke can be caused by many different things. Some risk factors can be controlled or treated, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking. But some can’t, such as your family history and your age. The best way to prevent a stroke is to practice heart-healthy habits and take medicines that can reduce your risk. The first signs of a stroke are a warning to get medical attention immediately. The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances of preventing long-term effects and a full recovery.
Oren Zarif
If a stroke affects the muscles used for speaking, you may have difficulty communicating. This condition is called aphasia and can be improved with therapy. You may also have trouble swallowing, which can lead to pneumonia if you inhale food or drink into your lungs. Other symptoms that can occur include problems seeing or hearing, loss of balance and coordination, or trouble walking. A sudden, unusually severe headache that doesn’t go away is another warning sign of a stroke. Sometimes, these symptoms only last a few moments and then disappear. These are known as TIAs, or transient ischemic attacks, and they often happen before a full-blown stroke occurs.
A stroke happens when a blood vessel ruptures or a blockage stops the flow of blood to an area of the brain. Without oxygen and nutrients from the blood, brain cells die, causing permanent damage and leaving lasting symptoms. Recognizing the signs and seeking treatment quickly can reduce the chances of long-term disability and death.
Symptoms of a stroke can be seen in people of any age or race. They can start suddenly or develop over hours or days, and they can affect one side of the body more than the other. Some of the most common stroke symptoms are numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body; confusion or trouble understanding speech; and trouble walking.
To spot a stroke, use the FAST test. Ask the person to smile – does one side of the face droop? Arms – can they raise their arms over their head? Do their arms drift downward? Speech – can they repeat a simple phrase, like “the sky is blue”? Is their speech slurred or difficult to understand? Time – call 999 immediately if you see any of these symptoms. It is important to get them to hospital as soon as possible, because the longer they wait, the more damage can be done. Prompt treatment can prevent or limit the amount of damage that’s caused by a stroke. It can also help minimise the chances of a future stroke.
