Dysarthria

Difficulty in speech production caused by lack of coordination of the speech apparatus.

Interference with the proper articulation of speech.

Imperfect speech articulation; stammering.

Difficulty in speaking words clearly, caused by damage to the central neryous system.

Difficult, often unclear speech, resulting from malfunctioning of the muscles used in pronouncing words, often because of damage to the nerves serving the area. Dysarthria may result from a brain tumor. Total inability to speak is called anarthria.

Difficulty in pronouncing words clearly or correctly, usually because of poor control over the speech muscles.

Difficulty forming clear speech due to dysfunction of the throat muscles.

Difficult to understand, poorly articulated speech. A person with dysarthria has trouble speaking because of damage to the muscular systems required for normal speech from stroke, degenerative neurological disorders, alcohol abuse, and poorly fitted dentures. Causes of dysarthria can be diagnosed through a physical examination and tests. Treatment may involve referral to a speech pathologist. People with dysarthia may need to use alternative communication systems (for example, word boards, writing, and synthesizers) if they cannot be understood. Dysarthria is sometimes confused with aphasia, which is a deficit in understanding or producing language.

A general term applied when weakness or incoordination of the speech muscles prevents clear pronunciation of words. The voice sounds slurred or weak. It may be due to damage affecting the centres in the brain which control movements of the speech muscles, or damage to the muscles themselves.

Impairments or clumsiness in the uttering of words due to diseases that affect the oral, lingual, or pharyngeal muscles. The patient’s speech may be difficult to understand, but there is no evidence of aphasia.

Poorly articulated speech resulting from dysfunction of the muscles controlling speech, usually caused by damage to the central nervous system or a peripheral motor nerve. The content and meaning of the spoken words remain normal.

A speech disorder can arise from illness or injury affecting the physical components involved in speech production or the nerves that control these components. Individuals impacted by this condition can proficiently formulate, select, and write words and sentences with proper grammar. However, the challenge lies in vocal expression alone.

Dysarthria is a prevalent occurrence in various degenerative neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, it can be a consequence of a stroke, brain tumor, or damage to a specific nerve. Dysarthria may also be caused by structural abnormalities of the mouth, as seen in cases of cleft lip and palate.

Improvement in clear speech can be achieved through either drug intervention or surgical treatment targeting the underlying disease or structural issue. In addition, speech therapy is a valuable complementary approach.