Dysarthria - features of various forms, methods of diagnosis and treatment

Dysarthria in children and adults - what it is and how to treat it

Dysarthria is a speech disorder that occurs as a result of damage to the brain centers that coordinate the work of this mechanism, or the conductive paths that transmit impulses to and from it. Speech becomes unclear, the ability to pronounce sounds suffers (all, not part, as in dyslalia). The form of dysarthria is determined by the location of the lesion.

Reasons

A common sign of cerebral palsy is dysarthria. In children, it is detected in 65-85% of cases of this pathology. Usually, damage to the nervous system occurs at various times of intrauterine development, childbirth or in the first two years of life for the following reasons:

early toxicosis;
rhesus conflict;
oxygen starvation of the fetus;
pathology of childbirth;
prematurity
Jaundice of newborns, etc.

The expression of dysarthria is directly related to the brightness of movement disorders. With double paralysis of the limbs, speech impairment is noted in almost every child.

Dysarthria can develop even without cerebral palsy as a result of neuroinfection, otitis, hydrocephalus, brain injury, severe intoxication with poisons or microbial toxins.

In adults, this symptom is manifested as a result of organic lesions of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system with:

acute violation of cerebral circulation (stroke);
brain tumors;
craniocerebral injury of medium and severe degree;
operations on the brain;
amyotrophic lateral or multiple sclerosis;
syringobulbia;
parkinsonism;
myasthenia;
atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels;
neurosyphilis.

Degrees of dysarthria

There are 4 degrees of dysarthria that can be detected during an examination by a speech therapist or a neurologist:

1st degree (erased) – speech defects are detected only when examined for dysarthria by a specialist;
2 degree - there are defects, but speech is generally understandable;
3rd degree - due to a speech disorder, the patient can only be understood by relatives who are used to these features;
4th degree – completely incomprehensible speech even to relatives.

The experts of our center will be able to determine the degree of dysarthria, you can make an appointment for a consultation on the website Dobrobut.com.

Features of dysarthria depending on the location of damage

There are several forms of damage to the nervous system. With lesions of the cerebral cortex or pyramidal system, the patient is unable to speak in long phrases or use long words. His speech consists of individual words or phrases. The patient tries to speak smoothly, but periodically "stumbles" on certain syllables, repeating them. Clicking may occur. With a pyramidal form, hoarseness of the voice often occurs.

The extrapyramidal form is characterized by a wide variety of disorders. Speech becomes slow, the patient places accents in words in his own way. The voice becomes loud or, on the contrary, very quiet and sluggish. At the same time, breathing rhythm disturbances are noted during conversation and during silence.

In case of cerebellar dysarthria, speech becomes unclear. At the same time, there is sometimes chanting and some inappropriate exclamations.

When the bulbar motor centers are affected, speech becomes extremely vague, simplified, consonant sounds are very similar to each other. Often the patient speaks through his nose, whispers or does not make any sounds at all, but only opens his mouth.

Diagnosis of dysarthria

Diagnosing speech disorders requires a thorough examination by a speech therapist and a neurologist. The same specialists deal with the treatment of pathologies that caused a speech disorder.

During the examination, the doctor pays attention to the structure of the speech apparatus, the volume of articulatory movements, the condition of the muscles of the face, oral cavity and larynx, and the peculiarities of breathing. When studying speech, the nuances of pronunciation of sounds, pace of speech, rhythm, its intelligibility, synchronicity of speech and breathing, loudness of voice, development of lexical and grammatical system when forming words and sentences are revealed.

Treatment of dysarthria

Treatment of dysarthria is carried out after the stabilization of the condition of the main disease (for example, stroke or brain injury), or after the diagnosis of congenital pathology.

Drug therapy is considered an important aspect of treatment. European and American experts deny the effectiveness of these drugs, but in the countries of the post-Soviet space, such drugs as vinpocetin, cerebrolysin, actovegin are still used. They have not passed the filter of evidence-based medicine, but many neurologists assure that the effect of these drugs is there.

In addition to medication, logopedic therapy is carried out, which includes finger, breathing, articulatory gymnastics, logopedic massage, work with the pronunciation of individual sounds first, and then their combinations and words. The goal of the doctor's work is to make speech intelligible.

At the same time as speech therapy, it is advisable to prescribe physical procedures:

general, segmental and point massage;
acupuncture;
Exercise;
mechanical and magnetic therapy;
healing baths.

There is an opinion that in the case of dysarthria, non-traditional methods of treatment also have an effect: dolphin therapy, pisco therapy, isotherapy, etc. d.

Dysarthria is a symptom of many neurological diseases. It is difficult for a person with a speech disorder to socialize, but with persistence and constant support from loved ones, there is a chance to restore speech.