Bruce Willis - recently diagnosed with aphasia - has elected to step away from his acting career. Willis will bring much-needed attention to aphasia and bring a little-known condition to the forefront.
To step away from a career that has spanned 4 decades and amassed him over $5 billion is no easy feat.
Willis' attitude is what has made him one of the most loved actors in Hollywood. This attitude will continue to endear him to fans even as he steps away from the spotlight.
What Is Aphasia?
Aphasia is a disorder of communication. It affects the ability to speak, write, and understand language. A person may have difficulty finding words, or speaking in complete sentences, or understanding what others are saying.
There are two main types of aphasia: receptive and expressive.
Expressive Aphasia
Expressive aphasia affects a person's ability to express themselves. A person may be able to understand language but have difficulty putting thoughts into words.
A person with expressive aphasia may have trouble speaking in sentences, naming objects, or understanding questions. Speech is often jumbled or nonsensical and it can make it hard to carry on a conversation.
Receptive Aphasia
This is a condition caused by damage to the language areas of the brain, resulting in difficulty understanding spoken or written language. People with receptive aphasia may be able to speak fluently, but their speech may be hard to understand. They may also have trouble reading and writing.
Receptive aphasia is often caused by damage to the left hemisphere of the brain. This damage can be caused by a stroke, head injury, or other conditions that affect the brain.
Aphasia can also be classified based on symptom severity, for example:
- Some people may have mild aphasia, which causes some difficulty with communication, but does not severely interfere with daily life.
- Other people may have severe aphasia, which makes it very difficult to communicate and can make it hard to carry out everyday activities.
The severity of a person's aphasia will depend on the extent of the damage to the language areas of the brain.
Aphasia can also be classified based on when it develops. For example, some people may have acquired aphasia, which means that they develop the condition after sustaining an injury to the brain. Acquired aphasia can occur at any age.
Pre-birth brain development issues can cause developmental aphasia. This is often diagnosed in childhood.
Aphasia: Can It Be Prevented?
Aphasia can't be prevented but risk factors can be reduced by:
- Staying mentally active and engaged in life.
- Brains that are healthy are fed a healthy diet.
- Avoiding head injuries.
Aphasia Treatments
There are a variety of treatments, which can be tailored to the individual's needs. Some of the most common treatments include:
- Speech and language therapy. Speech therapy helps a person with aphasia learn how to speak and understand language, and language therapy helps a person learn how to use and understand language.
- Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy helps a person learn how to perform everyday tasks.
- Psychotherapy can help a person cope with the emotional effects of the disorder.
- Yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a number of studies. One such study - published in the International Journal of Yoga - found that yoga can help improve communication ability and cognitive function in people with aphasia. The study found that after eight weeks of yoga, participants had a significant improvement in their aphasia symptoms.
What Foods Are Good for Stroke Recovery?
Strokes can cause aphasia and it is important to know what foods are beneficial for stroke recovery.
Adding to the list of brain-healthy foods are those that are high in antioxidants, such as berries and dark leafy greens. These foods can help to protect the brain from damage. In addition, it is important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, which are a good source of fiber.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds are good choices for brain health. Including these in your diet can help to improve brain function and protect against strokes.
Drinking plenty of water is important for all aspects of health, including brain health.
Supplements
Supplements play an important role in stroke recovery. A couple to note are:
- 2nutri® Squalene is the major ingredient in shark liver oil. 2nutri® Squalene helps carry oxygen throughout the body and fights free radical damage. One capsule a day promotes a healthy immune system with its anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties.
- 2nutri® Omega-3 Fish Oil capsules are a natural source of marine Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3 assists every biological function in the human body including the heart and the brain.
Aphasia can have a profound effect on a person's life. It can cause difficulty at work, with friends, and in relationships. It can be emotionally devastating. The good news is that there are treatments available to help people with aphasia regain some or all of their language ability.
With focused treatment and a healthy lifestyle, many people can triumph over aphasia, improve their communication skills and lead fulfilling lives.
