From the April/May 2010 Healthy Woman Publication 
Symptom: Trouble Finding the Right Words
Likely cause: fatigue, stress, multi-tasking
Worst-case scenario: Stroke
It’s easy to laugh off a silly slip-up like forgetting a name or wishing someone a “dice nay” instead of a “nice day.” But when is your trouble with words more than a cause for giggles?
“When it comes on suddenly or when someone else notices an obvious change,” according to Virgil DiBiase, MD, a Neurologist with Associates in Neurology in Valparaiso. “Having trouble speaking, such as not making sense or slurring your words is a clear sign of stroke,” he said.
If your trouble with words isn’t sudden, but does happen frequently or seems to be getting worse, consult your doctor to see if perhaps stress, depression or even dementia are behind the problem. When to act Reduce your risk
If you suspect stroke, call 911 immediately. To increase your chances for recovery, specialists need to begin emergency treatment within three hours of your first symptoms. If your problem is not sudden, but chronic, call your doctor to schedule a visit.
To reduce your risk of stroke, manage your blood pressure, don’t smoke, get checked for diabetes, control sleep apnea, and manage your diet and cholesterol.