Pronounced: dis-ARTH-ree-ah
Dysarthria is a speech disorder that usually results from a stroke. The muscles of the mouth, throat, and respiratory system are affected. The muscles may be weak or poorly coordinated. If you have this condition, you may have trouble forming words.
This condition is caused by not being able to control and coordinate the muscles that you use to talk. This can result from:
These factors increase your chance of developing dysarthria:
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to dysarthria. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a physical exam, paying close attention to your:
Depending on your condition, tests may include:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
To help reduce your chance of getting dysarthria, take the following steps:
RESOURCES:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org/default.htm/
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists
http://www.caslpa.ca/
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=24/
References:
Dysarthria. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria.htm . Accessed December 1, 2008.
Dysarthria: benefits of speech-language pathology. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria.htm . Accessed November 18, 2008.
McGhee H, Cornwell P, Addis P, Jarman C. Treating dysarthria following traumatic brain injury: Investigating the benefits of commencing treatment during post-traumatic amnesia in two participants. Brain Injury . 2006;20:1307-1319.
Public stroke prevention guidelines. National Stroke Association website. Available at: http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PREVENT . Accessed November 16, 2008.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary . 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005; 595.
Swanson J. Dysarthria: what causes slurred speech? Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dysarthria/HQ00589 . Updated July 2008. Accessed December 1, 2008.
What does an audiologist do? FAQ. University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences website. Available at: http://cahs.uc.edu/faq/CSD.cfm . Accessed November 16, 2008.
Wood D. Stroke. EBSCO Publishing Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81 . Updated February 2008. Accessed December 1, 2008.
Last reviewed December 2008 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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