- With Mayo Clinic neurologist
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Dr. Jerry Swanson is a board-certified neurologist at Mayo Clinic and is a professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He has a special interest in headache disorders and medical education.
Dr. Swanson, a Lacon, Ill., native, was appointed to the Mayo Clinic staff in 1982 and works in the Department of Neurology with about 90 other physicians. He formerly chaired the Headache Division in the Neurology Department at Mayo Clinic and works with headache subspecialists around the world. He has published and lectured widely on headache disorders. He also serves as Assistant Dean for Assessment in Mayo Medical School.
"In a manner similar to the printing press, Internet technology enables the unprecedented ability to communicate with the global community about health information," Dr. Swanson says. "There is no doubt that the knowledgeable individual contributes greatly to his or her own health care, and now we can share information much more widely."
"There is much information already available about health care on the Internet. Unfortunately, much of it is not founded on sound principles. It is exciting to be a part of the MayoClinic.com team and contribute to the creation of a reliable and timely health resource."
Dr. Swanson is the neurology editor for "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and has reviewed articles for "Mayo Clinic Health Letter" and "Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource." He is also editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic on Headache" book, published in 2004. In 2008 the magazine "Women's Health" named him one of America's Top Doctors for Women.
Symptoms (1)
- Dysarthria: What causes slurred speech?
Treatments and drugs (2)
- Mannitol: Can it improve stroke recovery?
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Can it reduce stroke damage?
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Question
Dysarthria: What causes slurred speech?
What causes dysarthria?
Answer
from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Dysarthria refers to slow and distorted speech, such as slurring. It results from the inability to control or coordinate the muscles used in speaking. Common causes of dysarthria include:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain tumor
- Degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis
- Conditions that cause facial paralysis or weakness, such as Bell's palsy
Another cause of dysarthria is excessive use of alcohol and certain medications, such as sedatives or narcotics.
Treatment of dysarthria is directed at the underlying cause when possible, which may improve speech. Speech therapy often helps people with dysarthria regain normal speech. If dysarthria is caused by prescription medications, talk to your doctor about the possibility of changing or discontinuing such medications.
Because dysarthria can be sign of a serious underlying problem, see your doctor if you experience sudden or unexplained loss of ability to speak clearly.
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