Struggling to find the right words or noticing changes in your way of speaking can be exasperating. It can be a tougher challenge when it happens suddenly and you do not know the reason behind it.
Slurred speech could be that tiny mumbling, or sudden hoarseness that creeps into daily conversations, which you might easily overlook, but could be a warning sign of an underlying health condition. It affects millions worldwide and can happen at any age.
Moreover, it involves difficulty in articulating words, thus making communication a daunting task that can trigger social withdrawal, affect daily activities, and influence overall quality of life. The information you need to understand the condition and explore the options available is right here.
Slurred speech refers to a symptom whereby a person’s speech is unclear or indistinct due to difficulties with articulation, pronunciation, or coordination of speech muscles. Dysarthria is the medical term, and it differs from aphasia.
Slurred speech can either be developmental [occurring from birth] or acquired [occurring later in life]. It is slightly more common in people with certain neurological conditions and can significantly affect an individual’s ability to communicate effectively.
The exploration of what causes slurred speech ranges from a reason as minor as tiredness to a major factor, such as stroke. However, in identifying causes of slurred speech, it is advisable not to trivialize any factor as minor until proper diagnosis and evaluation. The following categories encompass these factors:
Mild factors
Temporary fatigue can cause mild slurred speech, which is usually resolved with rest. Dehydration can cause dry mouth, thereby affecting speech clarity. Slurred speech can also be a result of high alcohol consumption combined with high amounts of cannabis. Anxiety/stress could also lead to temporal speech difficulties. Lastly, dental problems like mouth pain, tongue/gum swelling, or poorly fitting dentures can impair speech clarity.
Moderate factors
Certain infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis, and sepsis, can induce slurred speech by causing general systemic issues or an inflammation affecting the brain and its protective membranes. Furthermore, medications such as sedatives, anticonvulsants, opioids, antihistamines, cannabis, and antidepressants can trigger slurred speech as a side effect.
Severe factors
Traumatic brain injury can damage the brain’s speech centers, leading to slurred speech. Additionally, neurological and degenerative conditions like ALS or Huntington’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease can result in progressive damage to the brain and inability to control speech.
In conclusion, a person may also experience slurred speech after a stroke [especially with the elderly] due to damage to the brain’s motor control areas, which can affect speech production and articulation.
Your body system usually gives you warning signals to alert you of potentially concerning issues affecting it from within. It manifests in the form of symptoms. Slurred speech symptoms may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Degeneration of most conditions, diseases, and disorders usually occurs because people tend to ignore these signals. Slurred speech in itself is a symptom sometimes indicating a more serious condition, such as stroke. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or even with someone else, visit the hospital for proper care or contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Healthcare professionals have the task of evaluating irregularities in the body system to determine the root cause and offer suitable treatment options that are most effective and beneficial. These professionals base slurred speech diagnosis on certain factors such as:
Medical history
Your healthcare provider will thoroughly examine your medical history to ascertain the underlying causes of your slurred speech, identify potential contributing factors, and explore the most viable treatment options.
Physical examination
A comprehensive physical examination plays an essential role in evaluating and diagnosing slurred speech by assessing the key areas of speech assessment and neurological function. This evaluation helps in assessing oral motor functions and reflexes, testing cranial nerve function, etc., to determine the best course of action.
Diagnostic Tests
Doctors may order diagnostic tests to evaluate slurred speech. These tests include imaging tests, electrophysiological tests, neuropsychological tests, etc.
Depending on the cause, slurred speech can either be quickly resolved or remain permanent. Doctors can recommend direct treatment options such as speech therapy, medications, oral exercises, and cognitive therapy that help improve slurred speech. Note that treatment options vary depending on severity and root cause.
Others can help indirectly by researching & understanding the condition for easier communication, as well as emotional and motivational support.
Neurological conditions, certain medications, stroke, and brain injuries can all cause slurred speech.
No, slurred speech is not always serious; temporary and mild factors, such as fatigue, can cause it.
Yes, however, it depends on the underlying cause. For neurological conditions such as stroke, it may be permanent and only manageable.
Doctors diagnose slurred speech through a comprehensive evaluation, which may include medical history assessment, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.
A series of treatments, such as speech therapy, medications, oral exercises, cognitive therapy, etc., can help improve slurred speech.
Yes, strokes may damage areas of the brain that control speech, leading to slurred weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles.
Yes, several medications can cause slurred speech, mostly as a side effect of usage. This is why consulting a healthcare professional before taking medications is highly recommended.
If you are experiencing slurred speech, especially with suspicion of a stroke, or any other concerning symptom [drooping face, sudden garbling, limited mobility], do not hesitate to contact emergency services or a healthcare professional.
Dysarthria is the medical term for slurred speech. Although it is a broader spectrum, people often use the terms interchangeably.
Yes. Although its effectiveness largely depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition, it is still a widely used treatment.
Written by Chiagozie Ekemezie
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