Causes and risk factors:
Dysarthria is caused due to lack of co ordination between the muscles that are used for production of speech. There can also be weakness of these muscles which results in difficulty in speech. This in coordination between muscles can either occur during birth or can occur due to certain injury to brain or certain diseases acquired in later life. Multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain tumor, Huntingtons diseases, Parkinson’s disease are some of the common conditions that results in dysarthria. Medications that has effects on the central nervous system and any surgery on tongue also contribute to the causation.
Clinical presentations:
There are different types of dysarthria- Spastic, hyperkinetic, hypokinetic, Ataxic type and flaccid type. In spastic type the voice quality is harsh and voice is strained, while in hypo kinetic type along with along with harsh and strained voice stoppages occurs. In hypo kinetic type hoarness is common and monopitch and monoloudness occurs. The speech is explosive type in ataxic dysarthria. In flaccid type the sound is harsh and it has low volume. Voice is breathy and inspiratory stirdor occurs.Although the speech center is located in the brain the symptoms vary depending upon the part of the brain and central nervous system affected. They can range from mild to severe ones. The person has difficulty in talking. The speech is slow and slurred. Such speech is difficult to understand. People with this disorder either tend to talk rapidly or slowly. The pitch and rhythm is also abnormal. Along with this certain other complaints seen are restriction of the lip and tongue movement along with jaw.Difficuty in chewing and swallowing food. Dribbling of saliva occurs.
Diagnosis and investigations:
A speech language pathologist is the right person who will evaluate the disorder. Certain investigations like CT scan, MRI and certain neuropsychological tests can be advised. Other routine investigations of blood and urine can also be recommended.
Treatment:
The main line of treatment constitute of finding out the underlying cause and treating it. Correction of this underlying factor is essential. Various speech therapies are started which will help the patient to cope up with the complaints. The testament aims at slowing the rate, strengthening the muscles and improving the production of speech. Support from family members and care takers are also essential in such cases. In severe cases alternative ways of communications are used like use of gestures, electronic equipments etc.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating Dysarthria. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms.
