Dysarthria symptoms, risk factors – The diagnosis of dysarthria – Prevention and Treatment of dysarthria

Dysarthria

What is dysarthria?

Dysarthria is a violation of pronunciation due to problems with the development of zadnelobnyh and subcortical regions of the brain. It differs from aphasia, which is already formed by the speech disorder.

Dysarthria may be blocked due to problems with the muscles of the mouth, throat and respiratory system, as well as for other reasons.

Causes of dysarthria

The occurrence of dysarthria associated with the inability to control and coordinate the muscles, participating in the process of speech. The reasons may be:

• Stroke;
• Brain tumor or brain injury;
• Infection;
• Disease, that paralyze the face or cause weakness of the facial muscles, eg, Bell's palsy;
• Degenerative brain disease, such as:
  • Alzheimer's Disease;
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (CHIEF);
  • Multiple sclerosis;
  • Huntington Gentingtona;
  • Parkinson's Disease;
• Neuromuscular diseases, such as:
  • Cerebral palsy;
  • Multiple sclerosis;
  • Mыshechnaya dystrophy;
  • Myasthenia;
• Alcohol dependence or addiction;
• Operation in the language or languages ​​muscle weakness;
• Other problems, such as lack of dentures;
• Side effects of medications, which act on the central nervous system.

Risk Factors dysarthria

Factors, which increases the risk of dysarthria include:

• The high risk of stroke;
• The presence of degenerative disease of the brain;
• Neuromuscular diseases;
• Substance abuse;
• Advanced age, along with poor health.

Dysarthria symptoms

Symptoms include dysarthria:

• Speech, which sounds:
  • Indistinctly;
  • Raucous, aspirated;
  • Slow or fast, a murmur;
  • Too quiet, whisper;
  • Tensely;
  • Too loud;
• Drooling;
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing.

Diagnosis dysarthria

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam, paying particular attention to:

• Lip movements, tongue and facial muscles;
• The amount of air inhaled.

For the diagnosis of dysarthria may need to perform images. For this purpose, applied:

• MRT;
• Computed tomography of the head;
• PET;
• Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT);
• Research swallowing function, which may include performing X-rays at the time of reception of a special liquid.

Function can be tested nerves or muscles. For this purpose:

• Nerve conduction study;
• Electromyogram.

Dysarthria treatment – How to treat dysarthria

Treatment options include dysarthria:

• Treatment causes dysarthria, such as stroke;
• Working with a speech therapist, who can pay special attention to:
  • Exercising, to strengthen muscles, used in speech;
  • Improve the clarity of speech;
  • Education slow pronunciation;
  • Learning proper breathing, to increase the volume of speech;
  • Work with family members, to help them communicate with patients dysarthria;
  • Training in the use of communication devices;
  • Training in safe methods of chewing or swallowing, if necessary;
• Changing or canceling take medication.

Prevention dysarthria

To reduce the chance of developing dysarthria:

• Reduce the risk of stroke:
  • Exercise regularly;
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of salt and fat;
  • If you smoke, try to quit;
  • Maintain a healthy weight;
  • Frequently check your blood pressure;
  • Take low-dose aspirin, if recommended by the doctor;
  • Control the symptoms of chronic diseases;
  • If you have symptoms of a stroke, immediately seek medical advice, even if symptoms disappear;
• Try to get rid of alcohol or drug dependence;
• Ask the doctor, how your medications can cause dysarthria.