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SPEECH & SWALLOWING
DISORDERS
Dysarthrias
Dysarthrias (speech
disorders) are not uncommon to occur as speech patterns are
controlled by the brainstem. Dysarthrias can be mild to
severe.
- Scanning Speech
- Scanning speech produces speech that is disrupted with long
pauses between words or syllables of words.
- Slurring or Nasal Sounding
- Slurring of words results from the weakness of the muscles of
the tongue, cheeks, mouth and lips. Explosive Dysarthrias is
referred to when the patient sounds as though they have a
cold.
Note - A language pathologist or therapist
can evaluate the patient and begin rehabilitation to improve
enunciation and oral communication overall.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia (difficulty in
swallowing) occurs more frequently in advanced disease by can also
occur at any stage of the illness. Swallowing difficulties include
choking on liquids and/or food.
When choking occurs because
of the difficulty with dysphagia, the food and/or liquids are
inhaled into the trachea. Once this occurs, it can cause pneumonia.
When a patient inhales small amounts of food or liquid, it is called
"silent aspiration".
Treating dysphagia is done through
history and neurological examination of the tongue and swallowing
muscles by a speech therapist or pathologist. Treatment consists of
changes in the patient's diet, exercises, and positioning of the
head to improve swallowing. |
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