4. Slurred Speech – The Silent Signal of Small Vessel Disease
One of the more noticeable symptoms of SVD is slurred or slowed speech. Known in the medical realm as ‘dysarthria’, this condition refers to a motor speech disorder resulting from impaired movement of the muscles used for speech production, including the lips, tongue, vocal cords, and diaphragm. For people with SVD, slurred speech can be a common manifestation.
How does SVD contribute to slurred speech? The small blood vessels in our brain supply essential oxygen and nutrients to the areas controlling speech.
When SVD impairs these vessels, it can impact the brain’s speech centers, causing speech abnormalities. It’s important to note that these changes in speech can be quite subtle initially, slowly progressing to more apparent speech difficulties.
Subtle signs might include speaking slower than usual or mispronouncing words that were previously spoken without difficulty. As the disease progresses, these symptoms may become more pronounced, with speech becoming increasingly unclear and difficult for others to understand. Additionally, the person’s speech may sound ‘nasally’ or ‘stuffy’ as if they have a cold.
While slurred speech could be indicative of other health conditions, when seen in conjunction with other symptoms discussed in this article, it might indicate SVD. Early detection and intervention are key, so if you notice these changes in yourself or a loved one, seek medical advice. (4)
