Dysarthria

Mouth and Throat  

Dysarthria may arise from problems with the muscles in the mouth, throat, and respiratory system, as well as other causes.

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Definition  

Dysarthria is a speech disorder that affects the muscles of the face, which become weak, move slowly, or do not move. It differs from aphasia , which is a language disorder.

Causes  

This condition can be caused by not being able to control and coordinate the muscles that you use to talk. This can result from:

• Stroke
• Brain tumor
• Brain trauma
• Infection
• Conditions that paralyze the face or cause weakness, such as Bell’s palsy
• Degenerative brain disease, such as:
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Huntington’s chorea
  • Parkinson’s disease
• Neuromuscular disease, such as:
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Myasthenia gravis
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Surgery on the tongue
• Weakness of the tongue
• Structural problems such as not wearing your dentures
• Side effects of medications that act on the central nervous system

Risk Factors  

Factors that increase your chance of developing dysarthria include:

• Being at high risk for stroke
• Having a degenerative brain disease
• Having a neuromuscular disease
• Abusing alcohol or drugs
• Being older and having poor health

Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.

Symptoms  

Symptoms of dysarthria include:

• Speech that sounds:
  • Slurred
  • Hoarse, breathy
  • Slow or fast and mumbling
  • Soft like whispering
  • Strained
  • Nasal
  • Suddenly loud
• Drooling
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing

Diagnosis  

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done, paying close attention to your:

• Ability to move your lips, tongue, and face
• Production of air flow for speech

Images may be taken of your brain. This can be done with:

• MRI scan
• CT scan
• PET scan
• Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan
• Swallowing study, which may include x-rays and drinking a special liquid

The electrical function of your nerves or muscles may be tested. This can be done with:

• Nerve conduction study
• Electromyogram