HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Slurred Speech And Numbness In The Tongue?

For about 3 months now, when I eat hard foods or talk a lot (using my throat and mouth) my speech gets slurred. My tongue feels lethargic , e.g. it can t remove food from my cheeks, swallowing pills become difficult because my tongue can t move for me to swallow. A medical personnel suggested a type of seizure, since I have a history of seizures. (I haven t had a petit mal or grand mal in about 31 years). Excess stress doesn t seem to be a factor, since I have had a great deal of stress in the past couple of years. Caffeine and pain relievers do not seem to affect the frequency of flare-ups. An MRI showed no abnormalities.
Tue, 3 Apr 2018
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,

Slurred speech after prolonged speech or trouble with swallowing and chewing are highly suggestive of myasthenia gravis. It is an autoimmune disease when the body immune system mistakenly targets nerve endings (acetylcholine receptors). It causes a problem with impulse conduction from nerve endings to muscles and results in muscular weakness or tiredness mostly at the end of the day. The disease usually starts with small muscle groups and causes trouble with chewing, swallowing and vision problems (double vision, drooping or falling of the upper eyelid). To diagnose the disease certain lab tests are used (acetylcholine receptor antibodies or edrophonium test and electromyography). You may also need CT scan of the chest.

Please, see your doctor get the above-mentioned lab tests to confirm the diagnosis. Myasthenia gravis is treated with medications (e.g. neostigmine, pyridostigmine) which improves nerve to muscle conduction. Surgery (thymectomy) is also used in patients who are less than 60 years old and not responding to medical therapy.



Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Malik
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Slurred Speech And Numbness In The Tongue?

Hello, Slurred speech after prolonged speech or trouble with swallowing and chewing are highly suggestive of myasthenia gravis. It is an autoimmune disease when the body immune system mistakenly targets nerve endings (acetylcholine receptors). It causes a problem with impulse conduction from nerve endings to muscles and results in muscular weakness or tiredness mostly at the end of the day. The disease usually starts with small muscle groups and causes trouble with chewing, swallowing and vision problems (double vision, drooping or falling of the upper eyelid). To diagnose the disease certain lab tests are used (acetylcholine receptor antibodies or edrophonium test and electromyography). You may also need CT scan of the chest. Please, see your doctor get the above-mentioned lab tests to confirm the diagnosis. Myasthenia gravis is treated with medications (e.g. neostigmine, pyridostigmine) which improves nerve to muscle conduction. Surgery (thymectomy) is also used in patients who are less than 60 years old and not responding to medical therapy. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Malik