Slurred Speech

Slurred speech, also known as "dysarthria", occurs when the muscles of your face are too weak to form proper words, or there is difficulty in controlling them. There can be many common, congenital, and serious causes of slurred speech. Usually, slurred or slow speech may be a bit difficult to understand by others and can lead to low self-esteem or inferiority complex issues. However, in some cases, it is treatable with physical and speech therapy. 

There can be certain medical conditions, such as nervous system disorders, stroke, and facial paralysis, as well as certain medications that cause slurred speech. It's crucial to have a basic understanding of this medical condition affecting millions of individuals across the world. Let's shed some light on the various aspects of slurred speech.

What is a Slurred Speech?

When a person speaks slowly or poorly articulates while speaking or communicating, and his speech sounds all in one syllable, the person is likely slurring in his speech. There are many reasons for slurred speech or dysarthria, including voluntary muscle control loss due to alcohol or drug use, as well as due to underlying health conditions.

What are the types of Slurred speech or Dysarthria?

There are six categories of dysarthria, each classified based on the specific part of the nervous system affected. Dysarthria can arise from damage to various components of the nervous system, encompassing the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (network of nerves throughout the body).

• Flaccid Dysarthria: Caused by damage to the lower motor neurons in the peripheral nervous system. This condition results in breathy and nasal-sounding speech.
• Spastic Dysarthria: Arises from damage to the upper neurons on one or both sides of the brain within the central nervous system. Individuals with spastic dysarthria may exhibit strained or harsh-sounding speech.
• Ataxic Dysarthria: Occurs due to damage to the cerebellum, a part of the brain responsible for coordinating muscle movements. Those with ataxic dysarthria may struggle with vowel and consonant pronunciation and face challenges emphasizing the correct parts of words during speech.
• Hypokinetic Dysarthria: Results from damage to the basal ganglia, a structure in the brain facilitating muscle movement. Hypokinetic dysarthria is characterized by slow, monotone, and rigid-sounding speech.
• Hyperkinetic Dysarthria: Also linked to damage in the basal ganglia, hyperkinetic dysarthria is associated with fast and often unpredictable speech patterns.
• Mixed Dysarthria: Encompasses a combination of two or more of the previously mentioned types. It stands as the most prevalent form of dysarthria.

What can cause Slurred Speech?

Slurred speech is associated with a wide range of health conditions, congenital malformations, facial deformation, or lifestyle choices. There may be trouble moving the tongue or the muscles in the mouth, throat, or upper respiratory system that control speech and voice output. These conditions may lead to slurred speech.

Conditions that lead to slurred speech include:

• Heart or brain stroke
• Brain injury or tumour
• Head injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Lyme disease
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Huntington's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease)
• Wilson's disease

Certain medications, such as seizure medications and sedatives, can also be the cause of slurred speech.

Slurred Speech Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of slurred speech may vary depending on the underlying cause. They may include the following:

• A slower rate of speech
• Speaking in a whisper
• Fast, incomprehensible speech
• Speaking with a raspy voice
• Uneven or abnormal speech rhythm and volume
• Speaking in a monotonous voice
• Difficulty in moving or controlling the tongue or the facial muscles.

Complications

The slurred speech itself does not lead to any complications but may be a sign of another serious problem. However, if the cause of slurred speech is congenital or as an after-effect of a stroke, it may leave a long-lasting effect on the patient. 

• Social Anxiety: If someone has slurred speech, it may affect his ability to interact socially, leading to the development of social anxiety and may affect his relationship with his family and friends.
• Depression: Due to negative self-image issues and social isolation, such individuals may slip into depression.

Diagnosis for Slurred Speech

If someone is experiencing slurred speech or if someone around them is, visiting a doctor for a proper diagnosis of the problem is advisable. A healthcare provider may request the individual's previous medical history and their family's medical history and conduct a physical examination in collaboration with a speech-language pathologist. They may also perform MRI or CT scans of the brain, head, and neck, as well as EEG and electromyography tests to assess nerve and muscle function. Blood and urine tests may also be carried out to check for any signs of infection in the body.

Slurred Speech Treatment

People with congenital slurred speech problems as well as that as a side effect of other medical complications may benefit from speech therapy. It will enhance speech and muscular function leading to the required improvements. If slurred speech is at a severe level, individuals may require the help of a communicative device.

When to visit a Doctor?

When dysarthria or sudden slurred speech occurs, it can be an indication of a serious underlying health condition that requires immediate medical attention. If individual experiences any associated symptoms or notices someone around them with these symptoms, it is advisable to seek immediate help from a certified healthcare professional. Delaying medical attention might lead to severe complications.

Who is at risk of Slurred Speech?

People with certain neurological conditions are at risk of slurred speech. These conditions include:

• ALS: Up to 30% of patients suffering from ALS experience speech slurring.
• Multiple Sclerosis: Around 25-50% of people with multiple sclerosis experience speech slurring.
• Parkinson's disease: Almost everyone affected by Parkinson's disease experiences slurring in speech.
• Stroke: Patients who have suffered a brain or heart stroke are at a high chance of showing speech slurring.
• Brain Injury: The majority of patients who have suffered trauma to the brain have experienced slurred speech.

Some people who drink alcohol regularly or consume other abusive substances are at risk of developing a slurred speech problem, which is usually temporary. 

Preventing Slurred Speech

Slurred Speech may not always be preventable, especially if it is a side effect of another serious medical condition, like a stroke or cerebral palsy or if it is a birth defect. However, you can take a few steps to prevent the chances of stroke or trauma alongside actively working towards correcting the present condition of speech. Discussing with the healthcare provider how to maintain the health and body to lead a healthy life is a good start to preventing slurred speech.

Conclusion

Persistent slurred speech can be an indicator of underlying health conditions. If individuals experience slurred speech along with other symptoms causing discomfort, it is recommended that they seek medical attention for a prompt diagnosis and effective treatment to prevent any future medical complications. Seeking medical help from highly experienced and top doctors at CARE Hospitals can improve the chances of treating slurred speech and lead to a better quality of life.

FAQs

1. Does slurred speech always mean a stroke?

If slurred speech occurs spontaneously, along with dizziness and nausea or vomiting, it may be a sign of a stroke. If individuals are unsure, they should contact a doctor immediately.

2. How to know if an individual has dysarthria?

Having trouble speaking fluently or speaking in a whisper or raspy voice indicate dysarthria or slurred speech. It may occur all of a sudden or maybe a birth defect.

3. Why do I suddenly have trouble speaking?

Having trouble speaking all of a sudden may be a sign of a serious condition such as a stroke. It is advised to contact a doctor immediately before anything becomes fatal.

4. Can a stroke cause slurred speech?

Slurred speech is one of the key indicators of stroke. Even after a patient has been treated and rehabilitated, he may experience speech slurring.

5. Is slurred speech a symptom of a brain tumour?

Brain tumour symptoms include persistent headache, difficulty in muscle coordination, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, nausea, difficulty balancing, seeing, difficulty talking, etc. If there are any queries, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dysarthria/symptoms-causes/syc-20371994#:~:text=Dysarthria%20often%20causes%20slurred%20or,medications%20also%20can%20cause%20dysarthria. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17653-dysarthria

CARE Medical Team

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