Amnesia is known as a type of memory loss. It refers to the loss and forgetting of memories, including facts, information and experiences stored in memory. Although it is rare, it is a condition that can be permanent. It can often occur as a result of traumas or different brain diseases. The person may forget information from the past, have difficulty forming a new memory or learning new information.
There is no specific treatment for this type of severe memory loss. However, if there is a different cause underlying this condition, treatment can be applied for the underlying causes. Some tips and techniques to strengthen memory can be taught to people to help them cope with this situation.
What are the Types of Amnesia?
There are many subtypes of this condition, which is also known as the inability to remember events and experiences that the person has experienced in the distant or near past. Types of amnesia are classified under several different headings. These can be listed as follows:
Retrograde Amnesia
It is a retrospective memory loss. Information before the event that caused the condition is forgotten. It usually affects recent memories, but not information from many years ago.
Anterograde Amnesia
This type is more common than retrospective amnesia. The person has lost the ability to form and remember new information. Information prior to the event that caused the memory loss can be recalled.
Transient Global Amnesia (TGA)
It is not known exactly which condition causes this type. It is seen as a temporary memory loss. It is a short-term memory loss that occurs suddenly and in attacks.
During the attacks, recent events and information cannot be remembered by the person. The patient knows who they are and recognizes their relatives. This condition loses its effect during the day. When it starts to improve, the individual can remember the events experienced during the attack.
Childhood Amnesia
Adults find it difficult to recall memories and events from their childhood. The underlying cause of this condition may be some developmental problems experienced during childhood.
Traumatic Amnesia
It is a trauma condition that can occur as a result of damage to the brain area and blows to the head. It can occur in some people as a result of severe trauma such as a traffic accident. These individuals may experience memory loss as well as loss of consciousness or coma. Although the traumatic type is often seen temporarily, the duration of this condition may vary depending on the severity and severity of the trauma.
What Causes Amnesia?
A disease or traumatic events that develop in the brain cause memory-related functions to be negatively affected. Functions related to recall and memory are functions that are linked to many parts of the brain.
In addition, some possible causes of amnesia can be listed as follows:
- Encephalitis or brain inflammation
- Insufficient oxygen supply to the brain
- Some medicines used
- Presence of tumors in areas of the brain that control memory
- Alzheimer's disease and other similar diseases
- Seizures
- Stroke
In addition, some psychological traumas and emotional events can also lead to memory loss. The severity of the events experienced is effective in the development of this condition. It can be seen in people who are closely related to or involved in situations such as abuse, war, natural disasters, death.
What are the Symptoms of Amnesia?
There are two main symptoms and features that may occur in individuals with the development of memory loss. These are
- Having problems in learning new information
- Difficulty in remembering past events and previously known information
There may be many different symptoms and signs that accompany and occur with this condition. Although the symptoms of amnesia may occur for a reason, the symptoms that are usually seen are as follows:
Blurred consciousness
- Confusion
- Inability to recognize familiar faces or places
- Recalling unreal memories or unrealistic concepts of time and space in memories
- Disorientation and tremors
Diagnosis of Amnesia
If symptoms are experienced, a neurologist should be consulted immediately. The doctor will ask questions to get detailed information about the person's medical history and the symptoms they are experiencing. He or she then performs a physical examination to check the person's reflexes, balance and sensory functions.
He or she may order some tests to observe how much past information and memories are remembered and how much new information is learned. It may also order some imaging techniques to detect a possible problem in the brain.
The tests and techniques that are effective indiagnosing and diagnosingamnesia are as follows:
- MRI or CT scan to identify brain damage or possible problems in the brain
- Blood tests to check for infections, nutritional deficiencies or other problems
- An electroencephalogram (EEG) to check for the presence of seizure activity
How is Amnesia Treatment?
There is no specific treatment method for the treatment of amnesia or a drug treatment for this condition. Generally, the conditions that cause memory loss are determined and treatment is planned based on the underlying problem. In some cases, it may improve on its own without the need for treatment, while some treatment applications and therapies may be required for physical or mental reasons.
When it is determined that the underlying cause is due to infection, the person is treated for infection and the progression of the condition is tried to be prevented. Although conditions caused by dementia cannot usually be treated, some medications that support the person's ability to learn and remember may be prescribed by a specialist.
When memory loss is permanent, occupational therapy is used to improve memory. By trying to teach new information to the existing memory, it is aimed to bring it to levels that will not cause problems in daily life.
How to Prevent Amnesia?
There are measures and recommendations that can be taken against brain damage. Some changes in the person's lifestyle will help to prevent serious situations that may arise in the future.
The measures that can be taken are as follows:
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- Protective helmets should be worn when using vehicles such as motorcycles
- Seat belts should be worn during vehicle use
- Treatment of any infectious disease should be done early
- Engage in physical activities and eat a healthy diet
- In cases of severe headaches and numbness in the body, a doctor should be consulted