Left brain damage affects speech, writing, cognition, memory, and emotions. Stroke is a leading cause of brain damage, and physical therapy and specific therapies can help patients adjust to changes.
The human brain is a complex organ, and when it is damaged, multiple functions of the body are affected. Signs of left brain damage include problems with speech, writing, cognition and memory. Emotional and physical problems can also result, with the physical signs usually felt on the right side of the body.
The brain is made up of two sides, or hemispheres. Within each, there are smaller regions that control the body and all of its functions. A healthy brain keeps these functions running smoothly, like a well-oiled machine. In a normal brain, the right brain controls the left side of the body while the left brain controls the right side.
Left brain damage can affect Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas. Broca’s area controls speech, while understanding and perception of language is controlled by Wernicke’s area.
One of the leading causes of brain damage is a stroke, which occurs when the brain is deprived of blood. Without an adequate blood supply, damage can occur to one or more areas of the brain. Nerve relays are often affected, causing many serious symptoms.
Damage to the left side of the brain can cause vision problems on the right side. In visual neglect, the right half of everything seen is missing, but the brain lacks the ability to process the fact that only half a vision is occurring.
Memory and cognition can also be affected. In most cases, vascular dementia occurs because the lack of adequate blood flow causes damage. The signs are similar to Alzheimer’s disease and problems with cognition affect the ability to engage in problem solving. Both long-term and short-term memory can be affected.
Left brain damage can also affect emotions. The frontal lobe, which helps regulate emotion, extends across the front of both sides of the brain. Depression, anxiety, and inappropriate emotional outbursts may occur.
Treating brain damage can be difficult, depending on its severity and cause. Much of the physical damage is often permanent, but many of the problems that occur can be fixed through physical therapy. Learning to adjust to vision differences, increasing range of motion, and general light exercises can all be used to help a patient become accustomed to the changes that have occurred since brain damage.
Patients can also be taught how to make adjustments to daily life when there are problems with cognition, perception, speaking, writing and other activities. There are specific therapies, such as speech therapy, designed to help with each of these issues. While a patient may never get back to where they were before the damage occurred, she can at least work on being able to communicate and process information better.
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