Dysarthria
Overview
Causes
Common causes are:
- Stroke
- Brain tumor or traumatic brain injury
- Infection
- Conditions that paralyze the face or cause weakness, such as Bell palsy
-
Degenerative brain diseases, such as
- Alzheimer disease
- Huntington chorea
- Parkinson disease
-
Neuromuscular diseases, such as:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Myasthenia gravis
- Alcohol or substance use disorder
- Surgery or weakness on the tongue
- Structural problems, such as not wearing dentures
- Side effects of medicines that act on the central nervous system
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Problems may be:
-
Speech that sounds:
- Slurred
- Hoarse and breathy
- Slow or fast and mumbling
- Soft like whispering
- Strained
- Nasal
- Suddenly loud
- Drooling
- Trouble chewing and swallowing
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the muscles needed for speech.
Images may be taken of the brain. This can be done with:
- X-rays
- MRI scan
- CT scan
- PET scan
- Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan
The electrical function of your nerves and muscles may be tested. This can be done with:
- A nerve conduction study
- An electromyogram
Treatments
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.