Amertia symptoms are a common condition that can be caused by disease, brain damage or certain drugs. These symptoms may last hours, days or longer. However, most people can recover their memory and form new memories after underlying issues are addressed.
The Cause of Amnesia
Typical memory function is controlled by many parts of the brain, including the thalamus and hippocampal formations in the temporal lobes. Any injury or disease that affects these brain structures can affect memory. The most common causes of amnesia are head trauma and Alzheimer’s disease.
Treatment for Amnesia
A variety of treatments are available for amnesia, but the best treatment depends on the cause. A doctor will examine you to determine if you have amnesia and may order tests to rule out other problems.
The doctor will ask questions about the time when your memory problems began and how severe they are. He or she will also perform a physical exam to check reflexes, sensory function and balance.
When memory loss begins, you’ll probably have trouble remembering the name of someone or something or a place that was important to you. Your doctor may suggest memory training, which involves asking you to remember things over time.
You will also be asked to do simple tasks that require short-term memory. For example, you may be asked to name the president of the United States or to answer a question about your life history.
There are different types of amnesia, including anterograde, retrograde and dissociative amnesia. Anterograde amnesia is characterized by the inability to create new memories.
This type of amnesia is triggered by an event, such as an automobile accident or the loss of a loved one. In the case of dissociative amnesia, you forget your identity and most of your life history.
Other common causes of amnesia are brain inflammation or encephalitis, which can be the result of an infection or autoimmune disease. You can also have this symptom if your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen because of an illness or injury, such as a heart attack or stroke.
In the case of head trauma, symptoms usually resolve within a few days. If they don’t, therapy can help.
Depending on the severity of your head injury, your doctor may recommend rehabilitation or other treatments. These treatments can help improve your memory and reduce the risk of future injury.
The cause of amnesia can be hard to diagnose, because the symptoms vary from person to person. It’s often difficult to distinguish amnesia from other medical conditions, such as depression or dementia. The most common symptom of dementia is memory loss, but other symptoms include a decrease in social abilities and trouble with language, judgment and visual-spatial skills.
If you or someone you know is experiencing unexplained memory loss, call 911 immediately. The person may have a brain injury and needs immediate medical attention.
