If you or an older adult in your household starts to speak slowly, unclearly, or cannot speak at all, do not take it lightly. Stroke patients need urgent medical care as quickly as possible. These speech issues often stem from a communication impairment caused by damage to the brain areas responsible for language, commonly due to:
- Stroke – where a lack of blood supply causes brain cells to die
- Other causes such as head trauma, brain tumors, or brain infections
4 Clear Signs Speech Issues May Be Caused by a Stroke
- Understanding difficulties despite fluent speech Caused by damage in Wernicke’s area. Patients speak fluently but respond inappropriately, often not understanding questions or their own speech. Reading and writing may also be affected or lost entirely.
- Speech difficulty despite good comprehension Caused by damage in Broca’s area. Patients have trouble forming words, speak with poor grammar, or take time to recall words. They often use simple words. In severe cases, they can’t speak at all but can still write or follow instructions (e.g., raise a hand when told).
- Word-finding difficulties Patients understand speech and grammar but struggle to find specific words. This leads to vague expressions like saying “something to write with” instead of “pen,” resulting in slower speech.
- Impaired speech and language comprehension Patients cannot understand or express speech, nor follow spoken instructions. They appear restless or unfocused due to the inability to communicate, usually caused by damage to both Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas.
Stroke Warning Signs
If speech problems are accompanied by other symptoms like:
- Facial drooping
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Vision problems
These are serious warning signs of a stroke, and the patient must be taken to the hospital immediately for timely treatment.
How Are Speech Issues Treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause:
- If caused by an ischemic stroke (blood clot):
Treatment must begin within 3 hours of symptom onset. If eligible, the patient may receive a clot-dissolving medication via IV. Blood pressure, blood sugar, and fluid levels are closely managed.
- If caused by a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain):
-
-
- Small, non-life-threatening clots are usually monitored and treated conservatively.
- Large clots may require surgical removal.
-
- If caused by other conditions:
-
-
- Brain tumors are treated with surgery.
- Brain infections are treated with appropriate antibiotics.
-
Speech Rehabilitation After Treatment
Once the patient is stable and the root cause has been addressed, speech and language therapy should begin as soon as possible. Early rehabilitation improves recovery outcomes significantly. Treatment should be guided by a speech-language therapist, based on the patient’s individual impairments. Family members are also taught how to support the patient’s recovery properly.
To Help the Patient Recover Faster – Family Support Is Crucial
A patient’s recovery is greatly influenced by how their family interacts with them. Here’s how families can help:
- Be patient and understanding. Avoid showing frustration, worry, or anger in front of the patient as it may increase stress and emotional distress.
- Give the patient time to speak. Don’t interrupt or complete their sentences. Show interest in what they are saying, even if it’s hard to understand.
- If the patient struggles with listening comprehension, speak slowly, clearly, and use simple words.
- If writing is difficult and their dominant hand is weak, encourage them to practice writing with the other hand.
- Help them practice writing simple words and give encouragement.
