Symptom 8: Changes in Speech
Changes in speech could also be a sign of a brain abscess. As the abscess grows, it can affect the parts of the brain responsible for speech and language. This can lead to difficulties in speech ranging from subtle to profound, affecting a person’s ability to communicate effectively.
Dysarthria, a condition characterized by slow or slurred speech, is one potential manifestation. The person might struggle to pronounce words correctly, leading to speech that sounds mumbled or too soft. It’s as if the words are stumbling over each other, making the speech unclear to the listeners.
In other cases, a person might experience aphasia, a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate. This could result in difficulties finding the right words during a conversation, understanding spoken or written language, or even reading and writing.
Apart from these, some individuals might also exhibit speech apraxia, a condition where a person has trouble coordinating the muscle movements needed to form words. This doesn’t affect the person’s understanding of speech; rather, it hampers the physical production of spoken words.
Finally, in severe cases, a person might also experience mutism, an inability to speak. This is a serious condition and represents a significant communication hurdle for the affected individual. (8)
