Difficulty Speaking
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Reviewed By:

Benjamin Kummer, MD

Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)

Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.

Shohei Harase, MD

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 23, 2024

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  • Can't pronounce words correctly

  • Can't pronounce words right

  • Can't pronounce correctly

  • Difficulty with speech

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About the Symptom

Dysarthria (also known as difficulty pronouncing words), is a symptom in which the muscles that are used to produce speech, such as the tongue, face, or jaw, become weak or paralyzed to the point that impairs the pronounciation of words.

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Hard to pronounce words

Possible Causes

Generally, Difficulty speaking can be related to:

  • Telangiectasia ataxia

    Ataxia-telangiectasia is a rare, inherited disorder that affects the nervous system, immune system, and other body systems starting in childhood, typically before age 5. It causes progressive difficulty with coordinating movements (ataxia), increased risk of cancer and infections. The disorder is due to mutations in the ATM gene, which controls the production of an enzyme that regulates cell division after DNA damage.

  • Sarcoidosis (including erythema nodosum-like eruption)

    A disease where small lumps (called granulomas) form in the skin, lungs, eyes, and other organs. Since various organs are affected, there is a wide range of possible symptoms. The exact causes are not well understood.

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

    Also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, or motor neuron disease, this progressive, degenerative condition affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It results in loss of muscle control, eventually leading to difficulty eating, breathing, and speaking. The exact cause remains unknown and may be due to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

  • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Related serious diseases

Sometimes, Difficulty speaking may be related to these serious diseases:

  • Tetanus

    A life-threatening infection caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. The bacteria releases toxins that affect the nervous system and cause muscles in the body to contract and "lock up". The bacteria are everywhere in the environment and enter the body through open wounds. Risk factors include being immunosuppressed, not being vaccinated against tetanus (or not keeping up with booster shots), and having open wounds or cuts.

  • Encephalitis / encephalopathy
  • Chronic subdural hematoma
  • Vertebral artery dissection
  • Cerebral infarction

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

  • Do you struggle with pronouncing words correctly?

  • Do you struggle to focus or feel less aware of your surroundings?

  • Do you have a fever?

  • Do you feel any numbness or altered sensation?

  • Do your arms or legs feel weak?

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Find Similar Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

References

  • Enderby P. Disorders of communication: dysarthria. Handb Clin Neurol. 2013;110:273-81. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-52901-5.00022-8. PMID: 23312647.

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444529015000228?via%3Dihub

  • Sternic N, Mijajlovic M, Tomic G, Pavlovic A. Dysarthria and mutism. Front Neurol Neurosci. 2012;30:83-5. doi: 10.1159/000333422. Epub 2012 Feb 14. PMID: 22377870.

    https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/333422

  • Dysarthria (difficulty speaking)

    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dysarthria/

Reviewed By:

Benjamin Kummer, MD

Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)

Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.

Shohei Harase, MD

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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