Aphasia-associated Anomia

Causes

Anomia is caused by injury to the language areas of the brain. Examples of injury to the brain are:

• Stroke (most common cause)
• Traumatic head injury
• Brain tumor
• Brain infection
• Dementia
• Other brain conditions

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of developing aphasia-associated anomia:

• Being at risk for stroke or dementia
• Having a history of transient ischemic attacks (TIA)
• Being middle to older age (more common in older people)

Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.

Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to anomia. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have difficulty finding the right word when speaking and writing. For example, instead of using an exact word, you may use ambiguous or roundabout speech, such as:

• Using general descriptions instead of specifics: “that place where you sleep” for “bedroom”
• Saying what a thing does, but not what it is: “that thing you drive” for “car”

In most cases, you can understand speech and read.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. He will do a physical exam and may do a neurological examination, tests to check brain function, and/or order the following:

• Exam of muscles used in speech
• Tests to assess language skills—for example, identifying objects, defining words, and writing
• CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the head
• MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the head
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) —a test that records the brain’s activity by measuring electrical currents through the brain (may be done in some situations)

You may be referred to a neurologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the nervous system.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Prevention

Since stroke is a common cause of aphasia, follow these guidelines to help prevent stroke:

• Exercise regularly.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables .
• Limit salt and fat in your diet.
• If you smoke, quit .
• If you drink, do so in moderation.
• Maintain a healthy weight .
• Control your blood pressure .
• Ask your doctor if you should take low-dose aspirin .
• Properly treat and control chronic conditions, like diabetes .
• If you have signs of a stroke, get help right away.

Revision Information

• Reviewer: Rimas Lukas, MD
• Review Date: 11/2012 -
• Update Date: 11/26/2012 -