Suggest Treatment For Difficulty In Speaking While Having Diabetes

Posted on Wed, 21 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 Answered on

Sat, 7 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My father XXXXXXX XXXXXXX age 53 years is diabetic and he is having difficulty in speaking (looks like his mouth getting paralyzed). He says he is having difficulty from last two days and his tongue is rolling over

Answered by Dr. Dr. Abhay A Mali (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Go to ER.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your question.
Noted your concern.

Yes difficulty in speaking (dysathria) is may be due to paralysis.
There is a need for immediate evaluation including detailed neurological examination and blood sugar (to rule out Hypoglycemia - low sugar level) and blood pressure testing.
Depending upon it there may be need for brain imaging.
Paralysis usually occur due to brain damage due to lack of blood supply, bleeding inside brain (these two has opposite treatment) other less common causes like brain tumor.

Though symptoms started since 2 days there may be possibility of rapid deterioration of symptoms any time.

Hence better to go to ER without delay.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Dr. Abhay Mali.
Diabetologsit.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar