Amnesia: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is amnesia?

Amnesia, also known as amnestic syndrome, is a condition that causes the sufferer to lose memory or memory. These memories generally include information, facts, and personal experiences.

Some people suffering from this condition cannot remember facts or experiences that happened in the past. Even worse, many also have difficulty forming or receiving new information and memories.

Generally, some sufferers still have knowledge or little memory of their identity. Many also have motor skills as usual.

This condition occurs due to damage to the part of the brain that processes memories. There are several health problems that can trigger this condition, such as dementia, stroke, stress, depression, or head injury.

This condition generally only occurs temporarily. However, in some cases, sufferers are at risk of experiencing permanent memory loss.

Several types of medical treatment can be given to improve memory abilities of amnesia sufferers. In addition, psychological support from people around you is also important to overcome this condition.

How common is amnesia?

Amnesia or memory loss is a very common condition. Generally, this condition is the result of a more serious health problem, such as a head injury, stroke, or dementia.

The condition of memory loss can happen to anyone, but the incidence of cases is more often found in female patients than men.

In addition, there are several factors that can make a person prone to memory loss, such as brain surgery and excessive alcohol consumption.

Memory loss is a condition that can be treated by identifying existing risk factors. To find out more information regarding this health issue, you can consult your doctor.

Type

What are the types of amnesia?

Amnesia can be divided into several types, viz retrograde, anterograde, and transient global amnesia or TGA.

The following is an explanation of each type:

1. Retrograde amnesia

The retrograde type occurs when you lose memories or memories that were formed previously during your life. This type of memory loss generally affects memories that are still newly forming.

Meanwhile, memories or longer memories, such as childhood memories, take longer to be affected. Several diseases can cause type memory loss retrograde is dementia

2. Anterograde amnesia

If you have a type of memory loss anterograde, this means that you lose the ability to form new memories.

For example, you can develop this condition when you consume alcohol excessively and experience it blackout or pass out.

Another possibility that causes this condition to occur is damage to the hippocampus, which is a part of the brain that plays a role in making memories or memories.

3. Transient global amnesia (TGA)

TGA is a condition that is still difficult to understand. If you have this type of memory loss, you will experience confusion and anxiety before a traumatic event occurs.

You may lose your memory a few hours before this condition strikes, and you won't have any memories of the experience.

Experts believe that TGA occurs due to spasms or temporary blockage of blood vessels. This condition is also more common in adults and the elderly.

4. Infantile amnesia

Most people can't remember the first 3 to 5 years of life. This condition is very common and is often referred to by the term infantile or childhood amnesia.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of amnesia?

The main signs and symptoms of amnesia consist of two aspects, namely:

• Not being able to remember events or memories in the past, as well as previous familiar information (retrograde)
• Difficulty learning new information and remembering new events (anterograde)

People who have this condition also usually have problems with their short-term memory, making it difficult for them to grasp new information.

New experiences and information will be lost more easily, while memories that are older will remain an imprint.

For example, some people may be able to remember their childhood experiences and know the names of previous presidents, but they may not remember who the new president is, what month it is, or what they ate for breakfast this morning.

However, this condition does not affect the intelligence, general knowledge, awareness, judgment, nature and identity of the sufferer. People with this condition can usually understand written and spoken sentences.

In addition, sufferers can still remember how to walk properly, how to speak, the language they speak, and learn new skills such as riding a bicycle or playing the piano. The sufferer can usually understand that he has an abnormality in his memory.

It is important to know that amnesia is not the same as dementia. Amnesia affects memory, but will not interfere with the cognitive part of the sufferer. This means that you can still know who you are and remember the concept of time.

Another case with dementia. People with dementia also experience problems with their cognitive function. This condition can result in disruption of daily activities. Other symptoms include incorrect memory, confusion, or disorientation.

Depending on the cause, this condition may also cause additional symptoms, such as:

• Memory or false memory (confabulation), both made up and told memories against the background of different times
• Confusion or disorientation

When should I see a doctor?

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Experiencing memory loss for no apparent reason, head injury, confusion or disorientation
• Unable to recognize your location.

If you or other people have signs or symptoms above or other questions, seek help immediately to the nearest medical service center or doctor. Memory loss can be a sign of a more serious condition. It is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To get the most appropriate treatment and in accordance with the patient's condition, do not delay the time to see a doctor.

Cause

What causes amnesia?

Human memory generally involves several parts of the brain. If there is a disease or injury that affects the brain, it has the potential to have an impact on memory as well.

Memory loss can occur due to damage to the brain structures that make up the limbic system. This system functions to control your emotions and memories.

The structures that make up the limbic system include the thalamus and hippocampus formation. The thalamus is located in the middle and innermost part of your brain, while the hippocampus is located in the temporal lobe of the brain.

Here are some health conditions that can lead to damage to the memory function of the brain:

1. Dementia

The location of the memory or memories in your brain depends on your age. So, if the brain has a general decline in function, your old memories will also be affected.

This can be caused by dementia, such as Alzheimer's. People with dementia usually lose their memories gradually, starting with new memories and continuing with old memories.

2. Anoxia

Anoxia is a condition in which your body lacks oxygen levels. The drop in oxygen can affect your entire brain and lead to memory loss.

If the anoxia you experience is not too severe and does not have the potential to damage the brain, memory loss may also be temporary.

3. Damage to the hippocampus

The hippocampus is the part of the brain and limbic system that is responsible for regulating human memory and memory. Some of its functions are forming memories, organizing memories, and retrieving them when needed.

Brain cells that play a role in regulating memory are more fragile and consume a lot of energy. These cells are easily damaged by anoxia and other threats, such as toxic substances.

When your hippocampus is damaged, it will be difficult for you to form new memories. If the hippocampus on both sides of your brain is affected, you may have anterograde amnesia total.

4. Head injury

Traumatic head injuries, including strokes, tumors, and infections, can result in damage to the brain. The damage also includes permanent memory loss.

In addition, the concussion condition can also interfere with your memory for the hours, days, or weeks before and after you have an accident.

5. Consumption of alcohol

Drinking excess alcohol for a short period of time can cause fainting or blackout. This condition is usually included in the type of memory loss anterograde.

Meanwhile, excessive alcohol consumption in the long term can lead to the emergence of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. When you suffer from this condition, you will subconsciously find it difficult to form new memories or memories.

6. Trauma or stress

Trauma or severe stress can also cause dissociative memory loss. In this condition, your brain will throw away thoughts, feelings, and information that are too difficult for you to digest.

One type of dissociative memory loss, namely dissociative identity disorder (fugue), can cause sufferers to daydream frequently and tend to forget their identity.

7. Electroconvulsive therapy

If you are on electroconvulsive therapy for depression or other health problems, you may experience a type of memory loss retrograde, during which you may lose memory weeks or months prior to therapy.

Apart from that, some of the other causes are:

• Encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain that can be caused by infections such as the herpes simplex virus
• Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, inflammation of the brain caused by an autoimmune reaction to cancer
• Convulsions
• Certain drugs, such as benzodiazepines to treat restlessness and sleep disorders.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of getting amnesia?

Amnesia is a condition that can affect anyone of all ages and races. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing this condition.

Having one or all of the risk factors does not mean you have this condition for sure. There is also a chance that you may experience it, even if you do not have any risk factors.

The following are risk factors that trigger this condition:

• Brain surgery
• Head injury or trauma
• Stroke
• Alcohol abuse
• Traumatic or stressful events
• Convulsions

If you feel you are at risk for amnesia, contact your doctor to manage the risk.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is amnesia diagnosed?

In order to accurately diagnose the condition of memory loss, the doctor will perform a comprehensive series of tests to determine possible causes of memory loss.

In addition, the results of the diagnosis can also help doctors identify other health problems such as Alzheimer's, depression and brain tumors.

Here are some of the tests that were carried out:

1. Asking medical history

Your doctor may ask you a number of questions to test how badly you have lost your memory, as well as possible triggers.

2. Physical examination

The doctor will also check reflexes, sensory function, balance, and physiological responses to determine the function of your brain and nervous system.

3. Cognitive tests

This test measures your short and long-term thinking, judgment, and memory. This test can also assess the severity of your memory loss.

4. Diagnostic test

Diagnostic test. These tests include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) to detect any damage or abnormality in the brain.

Family members or friends need to accompany the patient when visiting the doctor. This can help the doctor make a more precise assessment if the patient is unable to answer the required questions.

How to treat amnesia?

In some cases, amnesia can resolve without special treatment or treatment. However, if a mental or health problem is the cause, certain treatments will be recommended.

Psychotherapy can help patients with this condition. Hypnosis therapy is also effective in helping patients remember memories or memories that have been forgotten.

In addition, the role and support of family members is very important. It is believed that showing certain photos, scents, or certain songs can also help the memory recover.

Management of amnesia generally involves techniques and strategies that include:

• Work with occupational therapists to acquire new memories and replace old ones, or use existing memories as a basis for exploring new information.
• Learn strategies for structuring the information obtained, so that patients can store it properly.
• Using toolsgadget, assmartphone,to make daily notes, reminders, and so on. It may also help to save a contact list with photos of contact owners.

To date, there is no drug that can restore the memory lost due to amnesia.

Especially for people with malnutrition or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, memory loss has the potential to occur due to a lack of thiamin (vitamin B). Thus, treatment usually includes providing adequate vitamins and nutrients.

Home remedies

What are the lifestyle and self-medication that can be done to treat amnesia?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with amnesia:

• Write down any unusual symptoms you are experiencing.
• Write down important personal information, including any stresses or lifestyle changes you remember. Ask family members or friends to help you make sure the list is complete.
• Keep track of all medications you are taking, including vitamins and supplements.
• Ask a family member or friend to accompany you to the doctor.
• Take notes along with a pen or pencil to write down the things you want to remember.
• Write down the questions you want to ask the doctor.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.