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What Causes Slurred Speech And Swallowing Difficulty?
Question: My mother has developed slurred speech and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). She's had an MRI and a barium swallow. Both test were determined to be normal. She drools a lot now. I'm very concerned about her well being. She just turned 82 yrs old. What are our options?
Brief Answer:
Let her see a neurologist!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this query.
I have reviewed your mom's information and this sounds like a possible problem with her cranial nerves. These are nerves which control tongue movement and swallowing. I will like that a neurologist examines all the cranial nerves especially nerve 9 -12 and give us a report on what the findings are.
If it were only slurred speech without drooling, medication would have been high culprits but am a bit reticent on that given the nature of her symptoms considered together. However, that remains an option but certainly not top on my list.
Let me know what the visit with the neurologist finds. I wish her well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Let her see a neurologist!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this query.
I have reviewed your mom's information and this sounds like a possible problem with her cranial nerves. These are nerves which control tongue movement and swallowing. I will like that a neurologist examines all the cranial nerves especially nerve 9 -12 and give us a report on what the findings are.
If it were only slurred speech without drooling, medication would have been high culprits but am a bit reticent on that given the nature of her symptoms considered together. However, that remains an option but certainly not top on my list.
Let me know what the visit with the neurologist finds. I wish her well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
With possible cranial nerve damage, is this treatable, life threatening, etc? I understand your hesitancy to be more specific without more information. I am asking out of curiosity and a need to be more knowledgeable on what to expect when she visits the neurologist. Mother is scheduled to see a neurologist in the coming week.
Brief Answer:
It is not life threatening......Not at all!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up question.
This is not life threatening. damages result more in a reduced quality of live and not about death. Also, some do recover slowly over time as well.
I hope this helps. Share the findings after her visit to the neurologist with me. I wish her well.
It is not life threatening......Not at all!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up question.
This is not life threatening. damages result more in a reduced quality of live and not about death. Also, some do recover slowly over time as well.
I hope this helps. Share the findings after her visit to the neurologist with me. I wish her well.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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