Can you die from Aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension.

For most people, these specific areas are on the left side of the brain. Aphasia renders people person unable to communicate effectively with others, impairing the expression and understanding of language as well as reading and writing.

Aphasia usually occurs suddenly, however it may also develop slowly, following a brain tumour or a progressive neurological disease. This disorder can occur with speech disorders, including dysarthria or apraxia of speech. However, aphasia does not make you less smart or affect your thinking capacity.

The most common causes of aphasia include progressive neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, the blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, stroke, a brain tumour or bleeding, traumatic brain injury, and gunshot wounds, brain infections, among others.

Aphasia is mostly acquired by middle-aged or older persons, however, anyone can acquire it, including young children. According to the National Aphasia Association, around 1 million people in the United States currently have aphasia, and nearly 180,000 Americans acquire it each year.

The main treatment for aphasia is speech and language therapy where the victim relearns and practices language skills and learns to use other ways to communicate.

Can you die from Aphasia?

No, you cannot die from Aphasia. However, the typical life expectancy from the onset of the disease is 3 to 12 years. If the symptoms of aphasia last longer than two or three months after a stroke, a complete recovery is highly unlikely.