Slurred Speech Causes In Elderly

How Common Is Dysarthria

Researchers dont know exactly how common dysarthria is. It is more common in people who have certain neurological conditions, such as:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis : Up to 30% of people with ALS have dysarthria.
• Multiple sclerosis : Around 25% to 50% of people with MS get dysarthria at some point.
• Parkinsons disease: Dysarthria affects 70% to 100% of people with Parkinsons disease.
• Stroke: About 8% to 60% of people with stroke have dysarthria.
• Traumatic brain injury: Some 10% to 65% of people with traumatic brain injury have dysarthria.

What Are The Signs Of End Stage Vascular Dementia

These include: speech limited to single words or phrases that may not make sense, needing help with most everyday activities, eating less and having difficulties swallowing, bowel and bladder incontinence, being unable to walk or stand, problems sitting up and controlling the head, and becoming bed-bound.

Why Am I Slurring All Of A Sudden

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Speech that is too weak can be a sign of a stroke, drug overdose, or other serious health issues. If you have slurred speech, do not wait to seek medical attention. If you have sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your body, or if you have any other stroke symptoms, call 911 right away.

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Does Lewy Body Dementia Cause Slurred Speech

Affected patients will begin to show indicators of Parkinsons disease in the second stage of the disease, such as tremors, slurred speech, and even significant mood swings.If a patient is suffering from late-stage LBD, he or she may grow resistive to being touched.People who suffer from this condition may become physically unwell, as well as unable to move or communicate coherently/intelligibly.

Blood Vessel In The Brain

This may be minor and seem to go away on its own, but this is actually the sign of a more serious condition.

Usually, this is the warning sign of something that will come later on. It could potentially be debilitating and require immediate medical attention.

Strokes are one of the leading causes of slurred speech in the elderly.

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Dysarthria

The most common symptom of dysarthria is slurred or unclear speech. Other symptoms include:

• speaking too slowly or too fast
• speaking too softly or too loudly
• being unable to move the tongue, lips, and jaw very well
• sounding like a robot
• a change in the voice so it sounds harsh, nasal or breathy
• being unable to control pitch the voice is monotone or high or low pitched
• not being able to form longer words properly
• difficulty eating and drinking
• difficulty controlling saliva

Often, someone with dysarthria will have visible changes in the muscles of their face. Their face may droop, or the muscles may be very tight.

Should I See A Doctor

A stroke is a dangerous medical event. If youre experiencing any of the symptoms of a stroke, get immediate medical attention.

If you arent having stroke symptoms but youre at risk for a silent stroke, see your doctor. They can help you develop a plan for reducing your risk factors and preventing a stroke.

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Why Speech Therapy Is Important For Seniors

Changes in speech as we age can move beyond tonality and pitch differences. In some cases, these changes can reduce a persons ability to effectively communicate. Not only is this frustrating for the person, and often their families, it can also be detrimental to their health and safety.

Speech therapy is an option for every senior who is experiencing changes in their voice patterns and performance. Its smart to not wait until a speech problem is so advanced that it either requires extensive services or the point where it has reached the point where vocal function cant be completely restored.

The signs of age related speech changes arent always easy to recognize, and may include:

• Hoarseness and changes it pitch
• Difficulty producing certain sounds or saying certain words
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulties participating in a conversation
• Changes in cognition

Some Seniors Have Stuttered For All Their Life But When Adult Stuttering Starts Suddenly It Can Be A Symptom Of A Medical Condition

Sudden stuttering in seniors is often a symptom of an underlying medical issue. If your elderly loved one develops impaired speech, its important to discover why. Pegasus home healthcare professionals in Reseda and elsewhere know there are many causes.

The medical term is dysfluency. It refers to disruptions in the normal flow of speech. The disruptions vary among individuals, but common symptoms include:

• Adding extra sounds before starting the next word
• Difficulty or silence when beginning to say a word
• Drawing out a sound within a word
• Pauses in the middle of a word
• Rapid burst of sounds, some of which might be intelligible
• Repetition of a sound

Individuals who stutter know what they want to say. They just arent able to say it smoothly.

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What Causes Sudden Slurred Speech

Parkinsons and other neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, or Bells palsy affect speech. A detailed physical examination is needed to determine the precise cause of speech problems.

Difficulty speaking can be the result of a migraine, brain tumor, or an allergic reaction . Brain infections such as encephalitis or meningitis are further possible causes. A swelling in the throat, or muscle and nerve problems, can also lead to slurred speech. Early speech therapy can sometimes help with diagnosis, as subtly different speech problems can indicate different causes.

Can A Herniated Disc Cause Slurred Speech

A herniated disc can cause slurred speech if the disc presses on certain nerves in the spinal cord. The most common symptom of a herniated disc is pain, but if the disc presses on the nerves that control the muscles used for speech, it can cause slurred or difficulty speaking.

When this occurs, you may experience the following symptoms: abnormal eye movements, double vision, and difficulty concentrating. Voice hoarseness, slurred speech, and swallowing issues, as well as throat and speech abnormalities, are all possible symptoms. Coordination is compromised.

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What Does A Change In Voice Indicate

A shift in tone of voice can sometimes signal the onset of a medical condition. The voice may shake or tremble as a result of several factors such as chronic exhaustion and neurological issues. The voice can also alter as a result of benign or malignant lesions, or if one of the vocal folds becomes paralyzed, among other reasons.

What Are The Symptoms Of Dysarthria

The main symptom of dysarthria is a change in the way you talk. People may have trouble understanding you because you:

• Speak more quickly, slowly or softly than intended.
• Have speech that becomes slurred, mumbled, robotic or choppy.
• Have difficulty moving your lips, jaw or tongue.
• Sound hoarse, breathy or nasal.

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Myasthenia Gravis In Elderly Man With Slurred Speech

The patient had been having slurred speech and trouble swallowing and chewing. He had been using his hand to hold his jaw closed and to push his jaw up to help him chew.

A man in his 70s comes to the emergency department after experiencing 5 days of slurred speech. He is also having some trouble swallowing and chewing, especially at dinner. He reports that he has been using his hand to hold his jaw closed otherwise it just hangs open. He has also been using his hand to push his jaw up to help him chew.The patient denies jaw pain, headache, trauma, visual problems, or weakness in his arms or legs. He has had no fevers and he does not use alcohol or illicit drugs. His past medical history is notable for basal cell carcinoma, and hypertension for which he takes furosemide and metoprolol. He is married and denies any recent travel other than to Hawaii where he and his wife own a time-share.

When you enter the examination room, the patient is seated in the position shown.

Laboratory data, including a complete blood cell count and chemistry panel, are normal except for a potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L . CT scans of the brain show only age-related changes.

Why Does My Voice Change As I Get Older

As a person grows older, their throat becomes more dry, their throat muscles frequently become weaker, and their voice cords become weaker and less flexible. Many peoples voices become higher as a result of these changes, while others voices become lower as a result of these changes. They can also make the voice seem weak, unsteady, or hoarse if used excessively.

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Slurred Speech What Causes Sudden Speech Problems

Gradual or sudden deterioration in the way someone speaks could well be a sign of a brain problem. Slurred speech, for instance, is very common in people who have had a mild stroke, but this does not always mean a stroke. Anyone with such problems should seek medical advice right away, as timely intervention is critical. It is possible to prevent a worsening of the condition, or even achieve a degree of recovery, through speech therapy.

At Fairview Adult Day Care Center in Brooklyn NY, we use speech therapy for people with slurred speech due to neurological disorders. Other elderly clients can also benefit from speech therapy which is administered exclusively in-house.

Why Is My Voice So Weak All Of A Sudden

The throat muscles can be affected by conditions such as Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, stroke, voice tremor, vocal cord paralysis, and voice muscle spasms, which can cause your voice to become hoarse or weak. Age. As a person grows older, their throat becomes more dry, their throat muscles frequently become weaker, and their voice cords become weaker and less flexible.

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What Is Slurred Speech

Slurred speech is when you have trouble speaking, your words are slow or garbled, or your words run together. When you talk, many components of your nervous system work together to form words. When these parts dont work correctly, your speech can become distorted, or slurred. The medical term for slurred speech is dysarthria.

Slurred speech includes problems pronouncing words and regulating the speed or pace of your speech. It can range from a barely noticeable problem to one thats so severe that others cant understand what youre saying.

People often describe slurred speech as feeling like youre trying to talk with your mouth full of marbles.

Common causes of slurred or slow speech include drinking too much alcohol and not getting enough sleep. In these cases, the slurring will stop once youre sober again and have gotten rest, respectively.

There are also other causes of slurred speech such as a stroke , brain tumor, Bells palsy, or a serious migraine.

Does slurred speech always need to be treated?

“People often think slurred speech is a minor symptom that does not need a medical evaluation. As our speech and ability to speak is our main form of communication, it is important to look for correctable causes.” Dr. Karen Hoerst

Dysarthria Treatment And Therapy

Treatment will depend on the cause of your dysarthria, the type, and your symptoms. Your speech might get better after you treat the cause.

If you still have dysarthria, you might see a speech-language pathologist who will teach you:

• Exercises to strengthen the muscles of your mouth and jaw
• Ways to speak more clearly, such as talking more slowly or pausing to catch your breath
• How to control your breath to make your voice louder
• How to use devices like an amplifier to improve the sound of your voice

Your therapist also will give you tips to help you communicate, such as:

• Carry a notebook or smartphone with you. If someone doesn’t understand you, write or type what you want to say.
• Make sure you have the other person’s attention.
• Talk face-to-face if you can. The other person will be able to understand you better if they can see your mouth move.
• Try not to talk in noisy places, like at a restaurant or party. Before you speak, turn down music or the TV, or go outside.
• Use facial expressions or hand gestures to get your point across.
• Use short phrases and words that are easier for you to say.

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Why Does My Voice Change Depending On Who I Talk To

According to the findings of a recent study, peoples voice pitches vary based on who they are speaking to and how dominant they feel in the conversation. According to a research conducted by the University of Stirling, people have a tendency to alter the pitch of their voice based on who they are speaking to and how dominant they feel in the conversation.

The Disabling Effects Of Cervical Dystonia And Spasmodic Dysphonia

People with cervical dystonia may experience significant difficulty maintaining a normal level of activity in their daily lives. Their mouths may be difficult to open and close, they may be unable to speak, and they may be unable to swallow. Sapphireodic dysphonia causes people to feel unable to speak and have difficulty breathing.

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Can High Bp Causes Slurred Speech

There may be an underlying interference that is interfering with speech. When the brain is blocked or leaks blood, actions such as speech become less effective. Numerous brain injuries can affect the brain, including high blood pressure, heart attacks, exhaustion, concussions, and other brain injuries.

Does Alzheimers Affect Your Voice

Loved ones who are suffering from Alzheimers disease may lose their capacity to think and speak coherently in the latter stages of the disease.Individuals regularly repeat phrases that they have heard from other individuals.When speech does arise, it is frequently incomprehensible or irrational.Individuals sing, ramble, or speak words that are completely irrelevant to the context and discourse in which they are engaged.

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Determining The Cause Of Dysarthria

If you suddenly have a hard time speaking, you might be having a stroke. Call 911 right away. But if itâs been happening for a while, see a speech-language pathologist . Theyâll ask about any diseases you have that could affect your speech.

Theyâll also want to check the strength of the muscles in your lips, tongue, and jaw as you talk. They might ask you to:

• Stick out your tongue

The Causes Of Slurred Speech

There is a range of minor to severe effects that may be happening in the body. A major cause may be circulatory problems in the brain. A normal rate of blood supply is needed for the brain and body to function. An interference can be the root of the problem. If the brain is not getting the right amount of blood flow due to a blockage or a leak, actions such as speech can be affected. High blood pressure, heart attacks, exhaustion, concussions, and other brain injuries can all affect the brain. These effects on the brain create malfunctions, which may be what is causing a sudden change in speech.

The brain is the control center of the body, but it does not work alone. Nerves and muscles work with the brain for the body to function correctly. The brain uses the nerves to signal the muscles, and when there is an interference the muscles wont move correctly, which is where a speech problem can occur. A common neurological illness is Dysarthria. The muscles in the face that move to create speech are affected, which can cause a weak or uncontrollable speech.

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Treatment Options For Slurred Speech

Treatment for slurred speech relies on early detection of the symptoms and a quick diagnosis. Depending on what is causing the slurred speech plays directly into how it is going to be treated.

After consulting a physician, they may suggest to you a few different treatment options. Listed below are treatment options for slurred speech:

Slurred Speech And Memory Loss

Aphasia is common in people with dementias such as Alzheimerâs disease and vascular dementia. Even if they know well someone, their name can be affected due to the difficulties they face in finding words.

The 49-year-old man was evaluated for memory loss, slurred speech, and behavioral changes. He had high blood pressure and high levels of triglycerides despite having inadequate blood pressure and cholesterol control. There were several subcortical white matter lesions with exceptional neuro MRI results. A diagnostic and therapeutic approach to rapidly progressing cognitive decline is discussed in this article. In addition, there was some improvement in performing activities involving executive and organizational skills. In the following months, he experienced gait problems and increased drowsiness, both of which contributed to a decline in his ability to perform daily tasks. As a medication, aspirin 81 mg daily, lisinoprilâHCTZ 10 to 12.5 mg daily, nifedipine 90 mg twice daily, folic acid, Coenzyme Q10, fish oil, Vitamin B complex, and atorvastatin 20 mg are listed.

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Tips For Family Friends And Carers

If you’re speaking to a person with dysarthria, you may find the following advice helpful:

• reduce distractions and background noise when you’re having a conversation
• look at the person as they talk
• after speaking, allow them plenty of time to respond if they feel rushed or pressured to speak, they may become anxious, which can affect their ability to communicate
• be careful about finishing their sentences or correcting any errors in their language as this may cause resentment and frustration
• if you do not understand what they’re trying to communicate, do not pretend you understand as they may find this patronising and upsetting it’s always best to be honest about your lack of understanding
• if necessary, seek clarification by asking yes/no questions or paraphrasing for example, say: “Did you ask me if I’d done the shopping?”