Slurred Speech
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
About the symptom
Poor word pronunciation, muttering, or a shift in speed or rhythm during a discussion are all symptoms of slurred speech or speech problems. Dysarthria is the medical name for speech impairments. Speech impairments can emerge gradually over time or as a result of a single occurrence such as medical conditions like stroke .
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Slurred speech
Possible causes
- Progressive subcortical vascular encephalopathy
Progressive subcortical vascular encephalopathy (PSVE) occurs due to fatty deposits and blood clots in the blood vessels that supply the white matter and deep structures of the brain, resulting in damage. It is most common in elderly individuals with hypertension.
- Spasticity
Spasticity is abnormal muscle tightness because of extended muscle contraction. It is typically linked to damage to the spinal cord, brain, or nerves.
- Adjustment disorder
A psychological disorder, often with low mood and anxiety. It is triggered by a sudden change in life circumstances, e.g. divorce or losing a job.
- Alcohol dependence / delirium tremens
Related serious diseases
- Cerebral infarction
Cerebral infarction refers to damage to brain tissue resulting from a stroke. It occurs due to decreased blood supply and oxygen delivery to the brain, causing brain cell death and brain damage. It is typically caused by a blood clot or fatty/cholesterol plaques blocking a blood vessel to the brain, but can also occur if a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain.
- Epilepsy
- Hypothermia
- Cerebellar hemorrhage / infarction
- Transient Ischemic attack (TIA)
- Hypernatremia
Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom
Do you have slurred speech?
Do you have problems focusing or a reduced sense of awareness in your surroundings?
Do you have a fever?
Do you feel any numbness or change in sensation?
Do you feel any weakness in your arms or legs?
Other Related Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
Reviewed By:
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
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National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan