Amnesia

Amnesia or memory loss is a disorder that causes a person not to remember the information, experience, or incident that was ever experienced. In addition, amnesia sufferers will also have difficulties in forming new memory.

Amnesia may occur suddenly or slowly develop. This condition can be a symptom of a more serious health problem. Amnesia is often associated with dementia, namely a condition that also disrupts memory. However, both are actually different. Dementia causes a decline in the function of the koginitif, and it does not occur in amnesia.

Amnesia

Symptoms of Amnesia

Based on the symptoms caused, amnesia can be divided into two types, namely:

Amnesia Anterograde. When experiencing this condition, the sufferer is difficult to form new memory. These disorders can be temporary or permanent.

Amnesia retrograde, which is the type of Amnesia that causes the sufferer can not remember the information or incident ago. This disorder tends to affect newly formed memories. While in old memory, such as childhood memories, the disorder appears slower.

In some cases, amnesia sufferers can also experience false memory (confabulation), which is a memory formed by a bouquet or based on actual events, but placed in the wrong time. Other symptoms of amnesia are disorientation or confusion

Causes of Amnesia

Amnesia can occur because of damage to the part of the brain that makes up a limbic system that plays a role in regulating one's memory and emotions. Some conditions that can trigger amnesia are:

Injuries to the head, such as accidental accident.

Stroke.

Seizures.

Encephalitis or inflammation of the brain.

Brain tumors.

Alzheimer's disease.

Long term alcohol dependence.

Consumption of certain medications, such as benzodiazepines and sedatives

Decreased oxygen supply in the brain (Anoxia).

Psychological Trauma, such as the consequences of sexual harassment.

Amnesia Diagnosis

The Diagnosis of amnesia begins with the physical examination and patient's history that can be obtained from the patient's closest family or relatives. To determine the cause of the patient amnesia, the physical examination needs to be combined with supporting tests. Some of these include blood tests, MRI, CT scans, or Electroenfalogram (EEG).

The tests aim to detect abnormal brain damage or condition. The doctor can also assess the patient's memory by conducting cognitive examinations to account for how far away memories are lost. The results of this inspection will determine the handling action to be performed.

Amnesia Treatment

The main step in treating amnesia is through therapy. Examples are occupational therapy and cognitive therapy.

Through occupational therapy, the therapist will teach the patient how to get acquainted with the new information, as well as use the surviving memory to obtain new information. While in cognitive therapy, exercise is aimed at strengthening the memory. Memory strengthening can also be supported with the help of technologies, such as phones, tablets, or electronic agendas.

In addition to therapy, administering vitamins and supplements can also be done to prevent more severe damage caused by amnesia. The administration of vitamins or supplements needs to be supported by lifestyle changes, one of which is avoiding alcoholic beverages.

Share this post