Archive

Posts Tagged ‘speech disorder’

Need To Stop Stuttering?

November 25th, 2009

Speech disorders abound worldwide and yet one of the most common and least understood of those disorders, stuttering, remains largely a mystery today. In spite of the fact that stuttering can be traced back centuries, it’s root causes have been widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed and it’s cure remains elusive. Stuttering is a speech disorder whereby the pattern of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions, prolongations or even total stoppages of speech. It may also be accompanied by rapid eye blinks or other unusual facial or body movements.

The Stuttering Foundation of America has identified 4 causes of stuttering. There is a strong genetic link to stuttering, so a previous history of it may be in the family’s gene pool. Secondly, stuttering is a developmental speech disorder that begins in early childhood and generally goes away without treatment, but for approximately 1% of the population, stuttering continues into adulthood and may affect them their entire lives. Thirdly, another type of stuttering is Neurogenic stuttering where stuttering occurs when there are signal problems between the brain and the nerves or muscles. Lastly, family expectations can also be attributed to stuttering when too much emphasis is placed on a child’s academic achievements when they do not have the aptitude for it, and consequently the pressure can lead them to develop a stutter.

Older therories suggested psychogenic stuttering occurs when an individual has undergone an extreme emotional or physical trauma and was widely considered to be the cause of most stuttering until recently. It has now been shown that psychogenic stuttering is actually quite rare.

The most common form of all stuttering is developmental stuttering. An estimated 5% of children will go through a period of stuttering that will last anywhere from 6 weeks to a few years. Boys are twice as likely to suffer from it than girls but only 1% of adults will carry it with them throughout life.

Perhaps the biggest problem an individual with this disorder faces is not the actual stutter itself but rather the discomfort and anxiety that can accompany it. Stuttering can have a tremendous effect on a person’s functioning and emotional well-being. Stressful situations or certain activities may increase the likelihood of stuttering for some people.

However, stuttering need not be a lifelong debilitating affliction. While there is no cure for stuttering at the moment, there are many beneficial treatments and therapies that can improve, if not totally eliminate, the disorder. Whichever route an individual chooses, keep in mind that stuttering need not be a lifelong debilitating challenge. You can still live a full rewarding life.

If you have a strong need to stop stuttering you can have a look at the techniques listed on my website. There are many stuttering treatments that you can take to help you deal with the situation.

categories: stuttering,stutter,stammering,stammer,speech impediment,speech disorder,speech problems,phonetics,talking,speech development,communication problems,speaking,psychogenic

Stuttering , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Vocal Disorder Common Symptoms

August 20th, 2009

Vocal cord disorders can interfere with your day-to-day activities. Losing your voice is never pleasant, especially if you are in a profession where you are required to speak often. Many vocal cord disorders can lead to a voice loss if they are not treated soon enough. The typical recommendation is to look for care from a doctor if you experience vocal cord symptoms for more than two weeks. For some individuals, symptoms may be so severe that immediate medical care is needed.

There are many forms of vocal cord disorders. Proper treatment is determined based on the type of vocal disorder. Most often, a doctor will be able to determine what disorder you have through an initial examinations. Once you have a diagnosis, a treatment program can be started.

Before a doctor can help you, though, you have to recognize that something is wrong that requires medical attention. Many people have had some type of vocal cord disorder. Usually people may have a case of losing their voice after a day spent yelling or overusing their voice. Typically such an issue clears up in a day or two on its own. It is only when symptoms continue for days that you should really be concerned and seek help.

Symptoms vary based on the type of disorder you have. Many disorders cause changes in the voice. The voice may become airy or raspy. You may sound hoarse or even lose your voice completely. Disorders can also change the pitch of the voice, usually lowering the pitch.

Some disorders cause pain in the neck or when speaking. You may also notice your voice losing some strength over time. You may also find yourself clearing your throat more frequently. Some disorders can also cause a fever or general feeling of sickness.

More serious disorders cause even more severe vocal cord symptoms. There is a potential for trouble breathing, an inability to swallow, or extreme discomfort when trying to talk, breathe or swallow. These severe vocal cord symptoms require immediate medical attention. You should not wait to see a doctor as they may lead to more serious health issues and, if untreated, could have very dangerous effects.

Many times vocal cord symptoms come about suddenly, but they can also happen over time. You can gradually notice a change in your voice. It may start to become hoarse over a matter of days. In some cases you may have no idea what caused the disorder. However, if you can link the problem to an incident you should tell the doctor as that will be useful in the course of your treatment.

Most vocal cord disorders are treatable. Many people deem issues with their vocal cords as being minor. However, especially if you have a severe vocal cord disorder you definitely must seek attention. Generally, though, you should get treatment even if you think it is minor because a doctor can help you clear up the problem swiftly and avoid long-term issues.

About the Author:

Speech Disorders , , , , , , ,