Dysarthria

Overview

Dysarthria is a condition characterized by the weakening of the muscles involved in speech production or difficulty in their control. This often results in speech that is slurred or slow, making it challenging for others to comprehend. 

Damage to nervous system and illnesses that cause facial paralysis, tongue or throat muscle weakness are common causes of dysarthria. Dysarthria can also be brought on by several drugs.

Improving your speech could be achieved by addressing the root cause of your dysarthria. Additionally, seeking speech therapy may be beneficial. In cases where dysarthria is medication–induced, considering changes or discontinuation of prescription medications may also contribute to improvement.

Dysarthria may be acquired or developmental:

• Acquired dysarthria results from brain injury that occurs later in life. For instance, dysarthria can result from a stroke, brain tumor, or Parkinson’s disease. Acquired dysarthria is frequently found in adults.
• Developmental dysarthria occurs as a result of brain injury either during prenatal development or at birth. For instance, dysarthria can result from cerebral palsy. Developmental dysarthria is common in children.

Symptoms

Depending on the underlying cause and the specific type of dysarthria, there can be various signs and symptoms associated with this condition. These may include:

• Speaking slowly or slurred
• The speaking voice sounds monotonous
• Speaking too loudly or being unable to speak above a whisper
• Fast but incomprehensible speech
• The voice sounds strained, nasal or raspy
• Abnormal or uneven speaking rhythm
• Unequal speaking volume 
• Trouble moving your face muscles or tongue

If you experience a sudden or unexplained change in your speech abilities, which could be a sign of dysarthria, it may indicate an underlying serious health issue. In such situations, it is imperative to promptly seek medical consultation.

Causes

You can find it difficult to move the speech–controlling muscles in your mouth, face, or upper respiratory system if you have dysarthria. The following conditions can result in dysarthria:

• Brain injury
• Brain tumor
• Cerebral palsy
• Stroke
• Head injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Myasthenia gravis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Guillain–Barre syndrome
• Lyme disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Huntington’s disease
• Wilson’s disease

Several medications, including various sedatives and treatments for seizures, have the potential to cause dysarthria.