Brain surgery
How does brain surgery cause aphasia?
Brain surgery can cause aphasia, especially if the surgery is done on the left side of the brain. Because brain surgeons use a map of the brain to protect language centers during surgery, aphasia is not usually caused by damage to the brain in this case. Instead, it is caused by:
- How the body responds to anesthesia or surgery
- Swelling in the brain after surgery
- Whether any of the brain tissue in the language center was impacted
Aphasia caused by brain surgery doesn’t usually last long, and most patients improve within a few months after surgery.
It’s important to remember that aphasia just affects communication, and not your intelligence.
Symptoms
How can aphasia appear with brain surgery?
Aphasia caused by brain surgery varies in severity. Most people who have aphasia after brain surgery may experience anomic aphasia, meaning they have trouble finding words and naming objects. The aphasia may not last very long, and if it does, it may be mild. Most people do not have trouble communicating after brain surgery.
Brain involvement
Which parts of the brain are affected?
Aphasia caused by brain surgery will occur if the language centers of the brain are impacted. These parts of the brain are usually on the left side.
Diagnosis
How is aphasia related to brain surgery diagnosed?
If you have aphasia caused by brain surgery, your speech pathologist will diagnose it by completing language testing with you. Your medical providers may also order brain scans, such as MRI or CT scans, to see what parts of your brain are affected or if there is any damage.
Treatment
How is aphasia treated when caused by brain surgery?
Often, aphasia caused by brain surgery will go away once you’ve healed from the surgery. You may also have speech therapy to help you learn ways to communicate or to treat physical issues that impact your ability to communicate, like losing strength in your mouth or throat muscles.
Long-term aphasia caused by brain surgery is rare and usually mild. If you have long-term aphasia after brain surgery, you can work with a speech-language therapist to support your communication.
Recovery and prevention
Can aphasia caused by brain surgery improve?
Aphasia caused by brain surgery often improves, usually on its own. Most patients who experience aphasia improve within a few months of surgery.
Can aphasia related to brain surgery be prevented?
While aphasia due to brain surgery cannot be prevented, you can reduce your risk by following your medical provider’s advice for brain surgery, especially during recovery.
Living with aphasia caused by brain surgery
What is it like to live with aphasia?
If you have aphasia caused by brain surgery, you may have trouble finding the right word or naming objects.
A speech-language pathologist can help you find therapies and strategies to help you communicate more clearly. They may also help your caregivers or loved ones learn how to support you.
What emotional or psychological effects can occur?
Aphasia caused by brain surgery may cause frustration or confusion. Some people may feel isolated, depressed, or anxious. Because this type of aphasia usually resolves relatively quickly on its own, these feelings tend to go away as well.
Support from medical providers, speech-language pathologists, friends, family, and caregivers can help.
