Is Slurring Words A Sign Of Dementia?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Vascular dementia can also develop after a person has a major stroke . This may cause an abrupt mental change, sometimes accompanied by paralysis or slurred speech. Symptoms of vascular dementia include: confusion .

What is slurred speech a symptom of?

Common causes of speech disorders include alcohol or drug poisoning, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and neuromuscular disorders. Neuromuscular disorders that often cause slurred speech include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) , cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and Parkinson’s disease.

What are the 4 warning signs of dementia?

  • Memory loss. ...
  • Difficulty planning or solving problems. ...
  • Difficulty doing familiar tasks. ...
  • Being confused about time or place. ...
  • Challenges understanding visual information. ...
  • Problems speaking or writing. ...
  • Misplacing things. ...
  • Poor judgment or decision-making.

What type of dementia affects speech?

Speech and language problems

Some subtypes of frontotemporal dementia lead to language problems or impairment or loss of speech. Primary progressive aphasia, semantic dementia and progressive agrammatic (nonfluent) aphasia are all considered to be frontotemporal dementia.

Is slurred speech a sign of Alzheimer’s?

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, individuals have difficulties recalling words or finding the right vocabulary to share what they would like to say. During this stage, there is oftentimes a loss of verbal fluency. Individuals may stutter, halt or find it difficult to finish sentences.

At what point do dementia patients need 24 hour care?

Late stage Alzheimer’s sufferers become unable to function and eventually lose control of movement . They need 24-hour care and supervision. They are unable to communicate, even to share that they are in pain, and are more vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia.

What are the 10 warning signs of dementia?

  • Sign 1: Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities. ...
  • Sign 2: Difficulty performing familiar tasks. ...
  • Sign 3: Problems with language. ...
  • Sign 4: Disorientation in time and space. ...
  • Sign 5: Impaired judgement. ...
  • Sign 6: Problems with abstract thinking. ...
  • Sign 7: Misplacing things.

What does slurring your words mean?

What is slurred speech? Slurred speech is a symptom characterized by poor pronunciation of words, mumbling, or a change in speed or rhythm during talking . The medical term for slurred speech is dysarthria. Slurred speech may develop slowly over time or follow a single incident.

What does it mean when you start slurring your words?

Dysarthria occurs when the muscles you use for speech are weak or you have difficulty controlling them. Dysarthria often causes slurred or slow speech that can be difficult to understand.

Can dysarthria go away?

Depending on the cause of dysarthria, symptoms may improve, stay the same, or get worse slowly or quickly. People with ALS eventually lose the ability to speak. Some people with Parkinson disease or multiple sclerosis lose the ability to speak. Dysarthria caused by medicines or poorly fitting dentures can be reversed .

Does a person with dementia know they are confused?

In the earlier stages, memory loss and confusion may be mild. The person with dementia may be aware of — and frustrated by — the changes taking place, such as difficulty recalling recent events, making decisions or processing what was said by others. In the later stages, memory loss becomes far more severe.

Which type of dementia is most common?

It is caused by physical changes in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, but there are many kinds.

What are the warning signs of dementia?

  • memory problems, particularly remembering recent events.
  • increasing confusion.
  • reduced concentration.
  • personality or behaviour changes.
  • apathy and withdrawal or depression.
  • loss of ability to do everyday tasks.

What stage of dementia is anger?

Aggressive Behavior by Stage of Dementia

The middle stages of dementia are when anger and aggression are most likely to start occurring as symptoms, along with other worrying habits like wandering, hoarding, and compulsive behaviors that may seem unusual.

What are the first symptoms most likely to be seen in vascular dementia?

  • slowness of thought.
  • difficulty with planning.
  • trouble with understanding.
  • problems with concentration.
  • changes to your mood or behaviour.
  • problems with memory and language (but these are not as common as they are in people with Alzheimer’s disease)

What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer?

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.