Warning Signs Of Ludwig's Angina

Speech Difficulties

Speech difficulties are a common occurrence in individuals who have Ludwig's angina. There are several reasons why speaking would be difficult or even impaired as a result of Ludwig's angina. The first would be the displacement of the vocal cords and pathway of which sound travels out of the throat and mouth due to excessive swelling in the mouth, jaw, throat, and neck. Often times the sound that comes out is very abnormal and mumble-like or garbled. If the infection has spread into the area where the vocal cords are contained, paralysis of the vocal muscles can occur, resulting in major problems with speaking function. There are also complications with speech that occur because of an indirect effect on the mechanism of physical speech. The swelling of the neck, throat, tongue, and mouth can cause significantly reduced airflow to the lungs, which ultimately will result in reduced oxygen levels in the blood. With reduced oxygen, the blood being pumped to the brain does not provide sufficient oxygen to the vital brain tissues. This results in hypoxia, causing disorientation and confusion. This confusion often times can cause an individual to say things that don’t make logical sense, making verbal communication a challenge.

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