{"id":8604,"date":"2019-08-01T12:05:01","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T12:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=8604"},"modified":"2021-06-17T18:10:52","modified_gmt":"2021-06-17T18:10:52","slug":"15-most-common-symptoms-of-dysarthria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-most-common-symptoms-of-dysarthria\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Most Common Symptoms of Dysarthria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dysarthria is a condition that interferes with the ability to speak clearly. Although some speech problems may make it difficult to form sounds, dysarthria is characterized by forming sounds that are slurred, too fast or too slow, too loud or too soft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition may also be accompanied by irregular muscle movements such as twitching of the facial movements or the inability to control the movements of one\u2019s tongue. Dysarthria can be the result of various problems, usually strokes, neurological issues, brain injury or other illnesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment for the condition involves dealing with the underlying problem, although speech therapy can help many regulate their ability to speak. In addition, some medications can help treat or may even exacerbate the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following is a list of common symptoms of dysarthria. Not all of these symptoms may be present, but usually there are more than a few. 
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1. Slurred speech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dysarthria <\/a>doesn\u2019t involve problems forming sounds, but these sounds are not recognizable as regular speech. A person can sound like he or she is drunk at first or has a cognitive problem, when the source of the problem may be neurological. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all words may be slurred, but there are usually some words in any given sentence that are difficult to identify. As one\u2019s condition improves, there may be fewer slurred words, but usually, some are unclear. The person suffering from dysarthria may think they are speaking clearly and may seem puzzled that others do not understand them or they may realize that what they are saying is clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their ability to recognize their speech as slurred may vary according to the underlying neurological problem or brain damage that is causing the slurred speech. The slurring can be corrected with speech therapy, but not every instance can be corrected. 
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2. Whispers or Loud Speech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When someone suffers from dysarthria, they may not recognize when they are speaking too loudly or too quietly. There can be a wide variation among dysarthria sufferers, with some unable to speak above a soft whisper and others incapable of lowering their voices below yelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the underlying issue is a profound one, it may be difficult for them to realize that they are speaking at an inappropriate level or they may realize it and may not be able to control it without medication and therapy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A whisper may be mistaken as the result of weakness <\/a>or fatigue related to the health issue. However, the dysarthria sufferer may not be speaking quietly because they are tired or anxious, but because they cannot speak more loudly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a person who may be speaking loudly may not be anxious or angry, but may not be able to control their volume. 
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3. Too Quick or Too Slow Speech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to volume irregularities, dysarthria may be accompanied by an inability to speak at a regular pace. Some people naturally speak more quickly or more slowly based on their personality, anxiety level, culture or even their work environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you have known someone to speak slowly and they suddenly feel an impulse to speak quickly or vice versa, their source of the change in speech <\/a>may lie in the brain. It should be emphasized that the\u00a0speed at which one speaks when they have dysarthria is not a deliberate choice but is the result of a neurological or issue in the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through speech therapy, a person with this condition can be taught to speak more slowly or more quickly to get the speed back at a regular level. Usually, extensive speech therapy is needed before someone who suffers from dysarthria to speak at a regular speed. 
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4. Mixed Speed and Volume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some dysarthria sufferers may speak consistently quickly or slowly, loudly or softly, but others have no consistent pattern to their regular speech. They may say one sentence in a whisper and scream a few words to complete the sentence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the same token, they may speak the first part of the sentence so quickly one can\u2019t even catch a word and the rest of the thought may be said so slowly it is hard to catch what is being said. Usually, a dysarthria sufferer tends toward one speed or volume rather than another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most are either loud or soft, fast or slow, but many vary between extremes without reaching the middle. It can be more difficult to use speech therapy to help treat those who do not show a consistent pattern. The reason for the irregularity is that the brain <\/a>loses its ability to regulate speed and volume or detect such changes.\u00a0
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5. Muscular Irregularity in the Tongue or Face<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to speaking disturbances, those with dysarthria may experience sudden twitching on their face or may be unable to control the movements of their tongue. This can be distressing if it occurs suddenly and is also a symptom of some of the underlying causes of dysarthria, such as strokes <\/a>or neurological problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If speaking irregularities are caused by a motor problem, it isn\u2019t an attack on the language centers of the brain that leads to dysarthria and irregular speech, but a neurological or a muscle problem that can keep the actual organs from producing recognizable speech. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, a person can recognize that something is going on—such as twitching or speech irregularity but may not be able to deal with the problem without medical help, therapy or medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The twitching may be controlled through medication and it is usually difficult for the person to keep their tongue and their muscles working normally. 
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6. Nasal, Raspy Voice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A plethora of speech irregularities can crop up with dysarthria, including problems with volume, rhythm, and speed, but the quality of the voice itself can also be affected by this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The person with dysarthria may not sound like themselves, but the voice can take on a raspy or nasal quality. This is the result of motor problems that affect the way speech is formed in the mouth and the vocal cords<\/a>. The quality of the voice can be altered to such an extent that if you talk on the phone to a friend who has developed dysarthria, you may not recognize or hardly recognize the person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you hear your voice changing without explanation and have other symptoms like the inability to control the volume and speed of your speech, you may be developing dysarthria. Voice changes can be caused by congestion and other health issues, but if the alteration is extreme, the source may be neurological. 
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7. Monotone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In many cases of dysarthria, speech suddenly becomes louder or softer than usual or faster and slower. One symptom, however, may be less obvious than irregularities in speed and volume, but some with dysarthria may adopt a monotone manner of speaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, the monotone way of talking is not irritating, so one may not find a need to complain about it. In other cases, if one suddenly starts speaking in a monotone, their friends and families may conclude that they are suffering from depression <\/a>or may be fatigued. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if the monotone is out of the person\u2019s control, it may have a neurological basis, and could be full-blown dysarthria. If the person seems very excited yet speaks in a monotone, that could be a sign of a problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through speech therapy, someone with dysarthria can learn to re-introduce modulation to their voice and treating the underlying issue can be effective. 
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8. Loss of Control over the Tongue and Drooling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tongue has many important functions, including tasting the food, facilitating eating, speech and regulating saliva<\/a>. Dysarthria involves a dysfunction of the muscles in the face and the tongue and not only can impair speech but can actually make it difficult to control the movements of the tongue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the tongue may become slack in the mouth or one may not be able to use it to keep back saliva. Not only does clear speech become difficult, but a person may start drooling as a result of this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical therapy can help correct this problem, but it may take some time before muscles in the tongue and face can be controlled. Of course, drooling can cause significant embarrassment, and medication may be needed to regulate the movement of muscles and make it easier to control tongue movements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drooling may not be one of the first symptoms of dysarthria, but it could develop after other symptoms. 
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Dysarthria is one of several speeches and muscular problems that can develop as the result of a stroke, brain injury or a brain tumor. With some related conditions, forming sounds may be difficult, but dysarthria is different in the sense that sound isn\u2019t the issue, but the clear formation of words and regulation of speech qualities, such as volume, rhythm, and diction can be disrupted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The source of the problem is the interference with the normal functioning of the facial muscles and the tongue. One may perceive that their speech is too fast or too soft, for instance, but may be helpless to do anything about it. In some cases, one loses control of his or her tongue and may drool uncontrollably. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment can be found by focusing on the underlying problem and prescribing speech therapy, physical therapy, and in some cases, medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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