Symptom guide · General Practice & Family Medicine
Slurred Speech
What slurred speech can point to, how urgent it is, and who assesses it in the UAE.
Also known as dysarthria
Treat this as a stroke until proven otherwise
Slurred speech can be a stroke. Stroke treatment is time-critical — every minute of delay costs brain tissue.
Go now if any of these apply
- Face — one side of the face droops, or the smile is uneven
- Arms — one arm is weak or drifts down when both are raised
- Speech — speech is slurred, garbled, or the person cannot find words
- Time — note when symptoms started and call for help immediately
- A first-ever seizure, or a seizure lasting more than five minutes
Call 998 for an ambulance now. Note the time symptoms started — the emergency team will ask.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Also known as
- dysarthria
- Body region
- Head
- Care area
- General Practice & Family Medicine
- Conditions linked
- 4
Possible causes
Conditions that can cause slurred speech
Listed alphabetically. This list is not ranked by likelihood.
- Bell's PalsyCommon among people with bell's palsy.
- HypoglycaemiaCommon among people with hypoglycaemia.
- StrokeVery common among people with stroke.
- Transient Ischaemic AttackVery common among people with transient ischaemic attack.
These figures describe how often each condition causes this symptom — not how likely it is that this symptom is caused by that condition. Most symptoms have a common, harmless explanation.
Treatment by cause
How the causes of slurred speech are treated
Treatment follows the diagnosis, not the symptom. Each row is a linked condition and a treatment used for it.
| If the cause is | Treatment used | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Stroke | GP Consultation | First line |
| Transient Ischaemic Attack | GP Consultation | First line |
| Hypoglycaemia | GP Consultation | First line |
| Bell's Palsy | GP Consultation | First line |
| Stroke | Blood Pressure Medication | Second line |
| Transient Ischaemic Attack | Blood Pressure Medication | Second line |
| Transient Ischaemic Attack | Statin Therapy | Second line |
| Hypoglycaemia | Diabetes Education Programme | Second line |
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General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi
Where slurred speech is assessed depends on what is causing it. These are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.
27 Ar Ruwwad St - Shakhbout City - MSH4 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, Cigna, MetLife +20 more
Al Ruwais, Al Dhafrah
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, AXA, Cigna +16 more
Al Bahyah - Al Bahyah Old - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, Cigna, Allianz Care +18 more
Abu Dhabi
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, AXA, Cigna +27 more
Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.
A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.
Related symptoms
Other head symptoms
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Who assesses this in the UAE
These are the specialties that treat the conditions linked to this symptom. Every listed doctor holds a UAE licence.
Questions people ask
Can slurred speech be a sign of stroke?
Yes. Slurred speech: very common among people with stroke. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Can slurred speech be a sign of transient ischaemic attack?
Yes. Slurred speech: very common among people with transient ischaemic attack. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Can slurred speech be a sign of hypoglycaemia?
Yes. Slurred speech: common among people with hypoglycaemia. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Can slurred speech be a sign of bell's palsy?
Yes. Slurred speech: common among people with bell's palsy. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Keep reading
More about slurred speech
Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.