Amnesia is a disorder that causes a person to not be able to remember information, experiences or events that have been experienced. Amnesia sufferers will have difficulty forming new memories. Amenesia can occur suddenly or develop slowly. This condition can be a symptom of a more serious health problem.
The symptoms.
- Anterograde amnesia ➡ sufferers find it difficult to form new memories. This disorder is temporary or permanent.
- Retrograde amnesia ➡ sufferers cannot remember information or past events. This disorder affects newly formed memories. Whereas old memories, like childhood memories, the disorder appears more slowly.
Amnesia sufferers can experience false memories (confabulation), that is memories that are formed based on actual events, but placed in the wrong time.
Cause.
Amnesia can occur due to damage to the part of the brain that forms the limbic system that plays a role in regulating one's memories and emotions.
Conditions that cause amnesia :
- Injury to the head.
- Stroke.
- Convulsions.
- Encephalitis : inflammation of the brain.
- Brain tumor.
- Alzheimer disease.
- Alcohol dependence for a long time.
- Take medications, such as benzodiazepines and sedatives.
- Decreased oxygen supply to the brain (anoxia).
- Psychological trauma.
Diagnosis.
- Physical examination.
- Patient's medical history.
- Blood test.
- MRI.
- CT scan.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG).
- Cognitive examination to find out how far memories are lost.
Treatment.
- Occupational and cognitive therapy ➡ teaches patients how to recognize new information and use existing memories to obtain new information.
- Providing vitamins and supplements to prevent more severe damage due to amnesia.
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