Overview
Dysarthria is a condition that affects speech muscles, causing weakness or difficulty controlling them. It often results in slurred or slow speech that may be difficult to understand. Dysarthria can be caused by various factors, including nervous system disorders, muscle weakness, and certain medications. The symptoms of dysarthria may include slurred speech, slow speech, inability to speak louder than a whisper, rapid speech, nasal or strained voice, uneven or abnormal speech rhythm, and uneven speech volume. It is important to consult a doctor if you experience sudden or unexplained changes in your speech abilities, as dysarthria can be a sign of a serious underlying condition.
Understanding the disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of dysarthria may include slurred or slow speech, difficulty controlling speech muscles, rapid speech that is difficult to understand, nasal, raspy, or strained voice, uneven or abnormal speech rhythm, uneven speech volume, monotone speech, difficulty moving the tongue or facial muscles, and difficulty speaking louder than a whisper or speaking too loudly. Dysarthria can be caused by various conditions, such as nervous system disorders, facial paralysis, tongue or throat muscle weakness, or certain medications. If you experience sudden or unexplained changes in your ability to speak, it is important to see a doctor.
Development
Dysarthria can develop due to several causes, including nervous system disorders, conditions that cause facial paralysis or muscle weakness in the tongue or throat, certain medications, and oxygen deprivation or carbon monoxide poisoning. Some specific conditions that can lead to dysarthria are Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Wilson's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, infections, and reactions to medications or heavy metal poisoning. Multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and myasthenia gravis can also cause dysarthria.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Diagnosis
To diagnose dysarthria, a speech-language pathologist may evaluate your speech to determine the type of dysarthria you have. This can help the neurologist identify the underlying cause. In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may order tests such as imaging tests, brain and nerve studies, blood and urine tests, a lumbar puncture, or a brain biopsy to identify the underlying condition. Neuropsychological tests may also be conducted to assess cognitive skills and other abilities.
Management and Treatment
Complications
Complications of dysarthria can include social difficulty due to communication problems, leading to challenges in relationships with family and friends. In some cases, dysarthria may also result in social isolation and depression. Dysarthria can also cause physical disabilities affecting daily activities or specific tasks, difficulty with jaw movement, swallowing, speech, and pain and fatigue from constant muscle contraction. Other complications may include difficulty with vision due to eyelid movement, and difficulties with speech, such as rapid speech, nasal or strained voice, uneven speech rhythm, and monotone speech.
Treatment
Treating the underlying cause of dysarthria may help improve speech. For dysarthria caused by prescription medications, changing or discontinuing the medications may help. Speech therapy is often recommended to help individuals develop strategies for better communication, improve voice and articulation, and enhance swallowing safety. In some cases, assistive technology, such as augmentative and alternative communication devices, may be recommended to help compensate for speech difficulties.
Preparing for medical consultation
To prepare for an appointment for dysarthria, you should:
- Note down your symptoms, including any unrelated symptoms.
- Write down key personal information, such as recent life changes or major stresses.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- If possible, bring a family member or friend to accompany you for support and to help remember information discussed during the appointment.
- Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor. Examples of questions for a dysarthria appointment include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- What tests do I need?
- Will I need to see a specialist?
- What treatments are available?
- Are there any brochures or printed materials I can have? What websites do you recommend? Remember to be open and honest with your doctor about your symptoms and any concerns you may have. This will help them provide the most accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.