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Suggest Treatment For Dysarthria Post An Accident In An Elderly Person
Question: temporary loss of normal speech, struggling to put words together, slight slurring...got better over a 4 day period. research shows possible aphasia, temporary brain trauma, concussion? I have normal loss of balance daily, fall 1 or 2 times a day tripping over stuff at work, just thought it was from being top heavy and awkward in my middle years (62) ... what do you think?
Brief Answer:
Possible stroke
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
You mention brain trauma and concussion but I assume you would have mentioned if there was some trauma or accident in the past days.
Dysarthria or difficulty articulating words with balance difficulties are common manifestations of stroke (occlusion of a blood vessel with subsequent brain damage in the areas it supplies with blood), in this case stroke involving the posterior areas of the brain involved in balance and movement coordination.
Stroke is an acute condition which should be promptly recognized and measures be taken to find its cause (can have heart sources, atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels etc) and prevent more serious lesions from happening later on. For that reason any time it is suspected it is highly recommended in the emergency room (ER) in order to be evaluated and if that suspicion is confirmed be admitted to have further diagnostic tests. So I suggest you present yourself to the ER as soon as possible.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Possible stroke
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
You mention brain trauma and concussion but I assume you would have mentioned if there was some trauma or accident in the past days.
Dysarthria or difficulty articulating words with balance difficulties are common manifestations of stroke (occlusion of a blood vessel with subsequent brain damage in the areas it supplies with blood), in this case stroke involving the posterior areas of the brain involved in balance and movement coordination.
Stroke is an acute condition which should be promptly recognized and measures be taken to find its cause (can have heart sources, atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels etc) and prevent more serious lesions from happening later on. For that reason any time it is suspected it is highly recommended in the emergency room (ER) in order to be evaluated and if that suspicion is confirmed be admitted to have further diagnostic tests. So I suggest you present yourself to the ER as soon as possible.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I was tested for and diagnosed w/Parkinson's in 2012. Do you think that has anything to do w/it?Since this past Monday when I knew something was amiss my shaking, quivering, vibrating, tremors have increased noticeably
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Parkinson's can also cause slurred speech with balance issues, not in the first few years but later on. Since you've been diagnosed as early as 2012 it is a possibility. The reason why I didn't mention it earlier is because from your description one gets the impression that these symptoms developed in an abrupt manner. In Parkinson's they develop very gradually over the course of years, not from a day or a week to another.
So if symptoms developed only very recently stroke remains a possibility to be investigated as soon as possible. If on the other hand these symptoms have started earlier and progressively increased then it could be due to Parkinson's, which would again require a neurologist consult and a reconsideration of the therapy but on a less urgent basis, not in the ER.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Parkinson's can also cause slurred speech with balance issues, not in the first few years but later on. Since you've been diagnosed as early as 2012 it is a possibility. The reason why I didn't mention it earlier is because from your description one gets the impression that these symptoms developed in an abrupt manner. In Parkinson's they develop very gradually over the course of years, not from a day or a week to another.
So if symptoms developed only very recently stroke remains a possibility to be investigated as soon as possible. If on the other hand these symptoms have started earlier and progressively increased then it could be due to Parkinson's, which would again require a neurologist consult and a reconsideration of the therapy but on a less urgent basis, not in the ER.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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