1) Speaking disorders (aphasia) arise from a disorder in the speech center. The cause is usually a structural change, such as a stroke, brain hemorrhage or craniocerebral injury. However, speech and language problems can also occur in various forms of dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease). In rare cases, a migraine attack can also be associated with a speech disorder.
2) Impaired production of speech (dysarthria) is caused by a disorder in the motor system involved in speech. There is often an associated swallowing disorder. Causes are usually structural changes such as after a stroke, cerebral hemorrhage or craniocerebral injury. Sometimes a speech disorder can also be a sign of Parkinson’s disease, where monotonous, hoarse and quiet speech is particularly noticeable.
3) Swallowing problems (dysphagia) are due to a disorder in the motor function of swallowing. There is often an associated speech disorder. Causes are usually structural changes such as a stroke, brain hemorrhage or craniocerebral injury. Local changes in the swallowing muscles due to muscle diseases (myasthenia) can also be the cause. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), swallowing disorders usually occur in the later stages, although the disease can rarely also begin with a swallowing disorder.
