What Causes Episodes Of Expressive Aphasia?
One month ago I suffered of an episode of expressive aphasia, of which I recovered in about fifteen minutes. During the episode I could not find the right words for naming objects or find such words at all. My speech was also a bit "blurred" — dysartrhia? My speech was fluent, however. My thinking was clear. I could hear myself speaking and I was conscious of my errors. No migraine, nor weakness in my body nor other signs. I kept speaking, walking and gesticulating during the episode, trying to test myself. The episode was late in the afternoon. Other two people who were at my side confirmed to me my inability to speak properly.
In the morning of the second day after the episode, my speech was a bit "blurred" again during other ten minutes.
Everything has been normal since then.
I am 65 year old. My health is good. My blood pressure is low, all my life it has been so. My cholesterol in blood is on the verge under the upper limit. I do not take drugs, legal or illegal.
What could be the cause of my episodes? And the prognosis? What should I do?
Many thanks.
Symptoms are suggestive of TIA.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms and appreciate the detailed description of the symptoms.
They are suggestive of TIA- transient ischemic attacks. In this condition, the blood supply is reduced to a part of brain. In your case, the blood supply was reduced on the left side of brain, in the speech area (frontal lobe) resulting in aphasia.
You should undergo a detailed evaluation to determine the exact reasons for TIA. Investigations would include MRI and angiogram of brain, blood sugar, cholesterol and homocysteine.
Until the evaluation is complete, you should be on aspirin tablets.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
Please keep me informed about your progress.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)