Health Library

Dysarthria

Pronounced: dis-ARTH-ree-ah

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.

Mouth and Throat

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

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:
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

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

Addressing the cause of dysarthria, such as stroke
Working with a speech language pathologist, which may focus on:
- Doing exercises to loosen the mouth area and strengthen the muscles for speech
- Improving how you articulate
- Learning how to speak slower
- Learning how to breath better so you can speak louder
- Working with family members to help them communicate with you
- Learning how to use communication devices
- Safe chewing or swallowing techniques, if needed
Changing medicine

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of getting dysarthria, take the following steps:

Reduce your risk of stroke:
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. Limit dietary salt and fat.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Check your blood pressure often.
- Take a low dose of aspirin if your doctor recommends it.
- Keep chronic conditions under control.
- Call 911 if you have symptoms of a stroke, even if symptoms stop.
If you have an alcohol or drug problem, get help.
Ask your doctor if medicines you are taking could lead to dysarthria.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

http://www.asha.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

http://www.ninds.nih.gov

Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists

http://www.caslpa.ca

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

http://www.heartandstroke.com

Dysarthria. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria.htm. Accessed May 16, 2013.

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.

Stroke prevention. National Stroke Association website. Available at: http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PREVENT. Accessed May 16, 2013.

Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005; 595.

Last reviewed May 2013 by Rimas Lukas, MD; Michael Woods, MD

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.