Slurred Speech(Dysarthria) Symptom and its Causes

Dysarthria is having difficulty speaking because the muscles you use for speech are weak. It can be caused by conditions that damage your brain or nerves and some medicines. Speech and language therapy can help.


What is Slurred Speech (Difficulty Speaking)?

Slurred speech or difficulty speaking which is medically referred to as dysarthria, occurs when a person's words become unclear or hard to comprehend.

This typically arises due to issues with the muscles involved in speaking, resulting in slow, slurred, or even jumbled speech.


What are the Causes of Dysarthria?

In dysarthria or slurred speech, you may have difficulty moving the muscles in your mouth, face, or upper airways that control speech. Conditions that can lead to dysarthria include:

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)
  • Cerebral lesion - brain-damage
  • Brain tumor
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome
  • Head injury
  • Huntington's disease
  • Lyme disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Stroke
  • Wilson's disease

Certain medications, such as certain sedatives and anti-epileptic drugs, can also cause dysarthria.

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What are the Symptoms of Slurred Speech?

The primary symptom of this is difficulty speaking clearly. Other associated symptoms may include:

  • Slow or labored speech
  • Irregular rhythm or pace of speech
  • Difficulty moving the tongue, lips, or jaw
  • Changes in vocal quality, such as a hoarse or breathy voice

What are the Complications of Difficulty Speaking?

Difficulty speaking of the communication problems caused by dysarthria, complications can include:

  • Social Difficulties: Communication problems can affect your relationships with family and friends and make social situations difficult.
  • Depression: In some people, dysarthria can lead to social isolation and Depression.

How is Dysarthria Diagnosed?

If they suspect that you have dysarthria, your doctor may refer you to a speech-language pathologist. This specialist may use several exams and tests to assess the severity and diagnose the cause of your dysarthria.

For example, they will assess how you speak and move your lips, tongue, and facial muscles. They can also assess aspects of your voice quality and breathing.

After your initial examination, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests: study of swallowing.

  • MRI or CT scan to provide detailed images of your brain, head, and neck.
  • Lumbar puncture to check for infections, central nervous system disorders, or brain cancer.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure electrical activity in your brain.
  • Electromyogram (EMG) to measure the electrical impulses of your muscles.
  • Nerve conduction study (NCS) to measure the force and speed with which your nerves send electrical signals.
  • Blood or urine tests to look for an infection or other disease that may cause your dysarthria.
  • Neuropsychological tests measure your cognitive skills and your ability to understand speaking, reading, and writing.

What treatments are available for Dysarthria?

Treatment will depend on the cause of your dysarthria, the type, and your signs. Your speech might improve after treating the cause.

If you still have dysarthria, see a speech-language pathologist who will teach you:

  • Exercises to strengthen the muscles of your mouth and jaw
  • Ways to speak more clearly, such as speaking more slowly or catching your breath
  • How to control your breathing to make your voice louder
  • How to use devices like an amplifier to improve the sound of your voice

Your therapist will also give you tips to help you communicate, such as:

  • Take a laptop or smartphone with you. If someone doesn't understand you, write or type what you want to say.
  • Make sure you have the other person's attention.
  • Speak slowly.
  • Speak face to face if you can. The other person will understand you better if they see your mouth moving.
  • Try not to talk in loud places, such as at a restaurant or a party. Before speaking, turn off the music or the television, or go outside.
  • Use facial expressions or hand gestures to get your point across.
  • Use brief sentences and words that are easier to pronounce.

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When to see a Doctor?

Dysarthria can be a sign of a serious illness. See your doctor if you have sudden or unexplained changes in your ability to speak.


How can this be prevented?

Many conditions can cause dysarthria, so it's difficult to prevent it. But you can lower your risk of dysarthria by adopting a healthy lifestyle that lowers your risk of stroke. For example:

  • Regular exercise.
  • Keep your weight at a healthy level.
  • Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
  • Limit cholesterol, saturated fats, and salt in your diet.
  • Limit your alcohol consumption.
  • Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke.
  • Do not use drugs not prescribed by your doctor.
  • If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, take steps to control it.
  • If you have diabetes, follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor.
  • If you have obstructive sleep apnea, seek treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reason for slurred speech?

Slurred speech or mumbled speech can occur due to muscle weakness, nerve damage, or disruptions in brain signals that control speech production.

Is there a specific therapy for the treatment of slurred speech?

Yes, speech therapy is often recommended to improve speech clarity and control in individuals experiencing slurred speech.

What does garbled speech indicate?

Garbled speech indicates difficulty controlling facial, mouth, or respiratory muscles, often due to brain injury or neurological conditions like stroke, affecting normal sound production (dysarthria).

Can medication cause slurred speech?

Yes, certain medications, particularly those affecting the central nervous system or muscles, can cause side effects like slurred speech.

What is the difference between dysarthria and aphasia (dysphasia)?

Aphasia is characterized by difficulties in understanding others or expressing thoughts. It doesn't stem from any issues with the functioning of your speaking muscles, unlike dysarthria.

What is the difference between dysarthria and apraxia?

Apraxia is a distinct motor speech condition. In apraxia, individuals have normal muscle function but struggle with voluntary movements, such as speaking. The problem lies in transmitting the message from the brain to the muscles,sem r instructing them to move.

What is the difference between dysarthria and dysphagia?

Similar to dysarthria, dysphagia involves difficulties with muscle control. However, while dysarthria affects speech, dysphagia affects swallowing. Dysphagia can sometimes be a symptom of dysarthria.

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