20 Conditions That Lead to Dysarthria

2. Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Another illness that can lead to Dysarthria is Guillain-Barre Syndrome which is a neurological problem that can affect muscle functioning, including muscles that control speech. The loss of the ability to speak clearly can happen quickly with this condition or represent a gradual decline.

Speech may become slower, slurred or may become faster, depending on how the muscles are affected. Some patients have a consistent inability to speed up speech or slow down words, or may fluctuate between being rather articulate and periods of difficulty.

Physical therapy and medication can help make it easier to move muscles in a way that will make speech easier, but not all patients the same way to treatment. Once the underlying condition has been treated, speech may improve, although there is a wide variation in the results of certain treatments. There may be a recovery of speech, whereas others find speaking to be an ongoing challenge.