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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.
Diagnosis
Your speech may be assessed by a speech–language pathologist to help identify the kind of dysarthria you have. The neurologist, who will investigate the underlying problem, may find this to be useful.
In addition to performing a physical examination, your doctor may also request tests to detect underlying disorders, such as:
- Imaging tests. A thorough image of your brain, head, and neck produced by an imaging test, such as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan, may help doctors determine what’s causing your speech issue.
- Brain and nerve studies. These may assist in identifying the cause of your symptoms. Your brain’s electrical activity can be measured using an Electroencephalogram (EEG). Your nerves’ electrical activity as they send signals to your muscles is measured by an Electromyogram (EMG). The strength and speed of the electrical signals as they pass through your nerves and into your muscles are measured by nerve conduction studies.
- Blood and urine tests. These can assist in figuring out if an inflammatory or infectious condition is to blame for your symptoms.
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). In this operation, a doctor or nurse uses a needle to remove a tiny amount of cerebrospinal fluid from your lower back for laboratory analysis. A lumbar puncture can aid in the identification of severe infections, CNS conditions, and brain or spinal cord malignancies.
- Brain biopsy. Your doctor might take a tiny sample of your brain tissue for testing if they suspect you have a brain tumor.
- Neuropsychological tests. These assess your capacity for thought (cognitive skills), speech comprehension, reading and writing comprehension, among other abilities. Your cognitive abilities and comprehension of speech and writing are unaffected by dysarthria, but an underlying problem may be.
Treatment
The treatment approach you receive depends on the origin, severity, and type of dysarthria you have. Your doctor will aim to address the underlying cause of your dysarthria whenever possible, as this can lead to improved speech. It’s advisable to consult with your doctor regarding potential modifications or discontinuation of prescription medications if they are contributing to your dysarthria.
Speech and language therapy
To improve your communication skills and regain your normal speech, you may undergo speech and language therapy. Your speech therapy goals may encompass adjusting your speaking pace, strengthening muscle control, increasing breath support, improving articulation, and facilitating better communication with your loved ones.
In cases where speech and language therapy proves ineffective, your speech–language pathologist might recommend exploring alternative communication methods. These methods may include utilizing tools such as an alphabet board, gestures, visual cues, or computer–based technologies.
