Dysarthria can be caused by a variety of things that affect the brain's ability to control and coordinate the muscles used to produce sound and speech. Damage to the brain stem or nerves can prevent the brain from properly controlling the lips, tongue, palate, and vocal cords. Without proper control of these muscles, speech sounds slurred and distorted and can be difficult to understand. A stroke, brain tumor or injury, facial paralysis, or degenerative disorder that damages the brain can result in dysarthria. Some medications, including sedatives and narcotics, can also affect the brain or nerves and cause dysarthria.
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