What is Amnesia – The Causes Of Amnesia And How To Manage It
REINHA.com – Amnesia is a form of memory loss. Amnesia refers to the loss of memories, such as facts, information and experiences. Amnesia is when a person can no longer memorize or recall information that is stored in memory. Amnesia may result either from organic or neurological causes (damage to the brain through physical injury, neurological disease or the use of certain drugs), or from functional or psychogenic causes (psychological factors, such as mental disorder, post-traumatic stress or psychological defence mechanisms).
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There are multiple types of amnesia, including retrograde amnesia, anterograde amnesia, and transient global amnesia.
- Anterograde amnesia : where the ability to memorize new things is impaired or lost because data does not transfer successfully from the conscious short term memory into permanent long term memory.
- Retrograde amnesia : where a person’s pre-existing memories are lost to conscious recollection, beyond an ordinary degree of forgetfulness, even though they may be able to memorize new things that occur after the onset of amnesia
- Transient global amnesia : You may experience memory loss in the hours before the attack, and you will probably have no lasting memory of the experience. Scientists think that TGA occurs as the result of seizure-like activity or a brief blockage of the blood vessels supplying your brain. It occurs more frequently in middle-aged and older adults.
The usual causes of amnesia are lesions to the brain from an accident or neurological disease, but intense stress, alcohol abuse, loss of oxygen or blood flow to the brain, and so on, can all also cause amnesia.
- Encephalitis or brain inflammation, due to a bacterial or viral infection or an autoimmune reaction.
- Tumors in areas of the brain that control memory.
- Stroke can caused amnesia because brain blood vessels are blocked or ruptured.
- When you lose old memories, you must have widespread brain deterioration. This can be caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. People with dementia usually lose more recent memories first and keep older memories longer.
- Lack of adequate oxygen in the brain, for example, from a heart attack, respiratory distress or carbon monoxide poisoning
- Long-term alcohol abuse leading to thiamin (vitamin B-1) deficiency, it is caused Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
- Severe trauma or stress can also cause dissociative amnesia. With this condition, your mind rejects thoughts, feelings, or information that you’re too overwhelmed to handle.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)), or electroshock therapy, a psychiatric treatment where seizures are induced for therapeutic effect, may lead to temporary memory loss.
- Head injuries that cause a concussion, whether from a car accident or sports, can lead to confusion and problems remembering new information.
To overcome memory loss there are several ways we can do, such as :
- Amnesia because of encephalitis or stroke or seizure etc usually resolves with a good therapy from a doctor.
- Amnesia from head trauma usually resolves without treatment over time.
- If alcoholism is the cause, then abstinence, emotional support and addressing dietary deficiencies are recommended.
- In the case of dementia, a medications will help the brain to function properly. However, nursing homes or other extended care options may eventually be needed as the person becomes less able to look after themselves.
- Psychotherapy can help some patients with severe trauma or stress. Hypnosis can be an effective way of recalling memories that have been forgotten. Family support is crucial. Photographs, smells, and music may help.
# What is Amnesia – The Causes Of Amnesia And How To Manage It
