Amnesia or memory loss is a disorder that causes a person to be unable to remember facts, information, or events that have been experienced. Memory impairment in people with amnesia can be mild or weight to interfere with the life of the sufferer.
Amnesia can be temporary or permanent. Memory loss in this condition can be partial or complete memory loss. Generally, people with amnesia can still remember their identity, it's just that it will be difficult to remember new things or remember events in the past.
Amnesia is often associated with dementia, a condition that also impairs memory. However, the two are different conditions. People with dementia will experience disturbances in memory as well as decreased cognitive function.
Symptoms of Amnesia
The main symptom of amnesia is loss of past memories or difficulty remembering new things. Based on the symptoms caused, amnesia can be divided into several types, namely:
Amnesia anterograde
In this condition, the patient will find it difficult to form new memories. This disorder can be temporary or permanent.
Amnesia retrograde
In this condition, the patient cannot remember information or events in the past. This disorder can begin with loss of newly formed memories, then progress to loss of older memories, such as childhood memories.
Temporary global amnesia
This type of amnesia is still not fully understood. However, the memory loss that occurs in this condition is usually mild and temporary. When experiencing this amnesia, the patient will feel confused or restless that comes and goes.
Infantile Amnesia
Infantile amnesia is a condition that causes a person to be unable to remember events that occurred in the first 3 to 5 years of life.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience memory loss, especially if it interferes with daily activities. Early examination is needed to determine the cause of the complaints you feel.
A doctor's examination should be done immediately if you experience sudden memory loss or after a head injury.
People with amnesia may not be aware of their condition. If you notice any symptoms of amnesia in someone, you should immediately take that person to the doctor.
Causes of Amnesia
Amnesia occurs due to damage to the limbic system in the brain. This section plays a role in regulating one's memories and emotions.
Damage to the limbic system can be caused by the following conditions:
- Injuries to the head, for example from an accident
- stroke
- Seizures
- Encephalitis or inflammation of the brain
- Brain tumor
- Degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia
- The habit of drinking alcohol for a long time
- Consumption of certain drugs, such as benzodiazepines and sedative
- Decreased oxygen supply to the brain, for example due to carbon monoxide poisoning, breathing problems, or heart attack
- Psychological trauma, for example from sexual harassment
Amnesia Diagnosis
The doctor will ask the patient's complaints of memory loss and memory loss, as well as the patient's medical history and medications that are currently or have been taken.
People with amnesia may find it difficult to answer questions asked by doctors. Therefore, the doctor will conduct questions and answers with family members or relatives of the patient.
In addition, the doctor will also perform a thorough physical examination, including a neurological examination (nervous system function).
To find out the cause of the patient's amnesia, the doctor will ask the patient to perform a series of supporting examinations:
- Cognitive test, to check the ability to think and remember
- Blood test, to detect infection in the brain
- MRI or CT scan, to look for damage, bleeding, and brain tumors
- Electroencephalogram (EEG), to detect electrical activity in the brain
Amnesia Treatment
Treatment aims to correct memory problems and treat the underlying cause of the amnesia. Some of the treatment methods that can be done include:
Therapy
Patients with amnesia will be given occupational therapy. This therapy is done so that people with amnesia can get to know new information and help sufferers to be able to utilize their existing memories.
Drugs
There is no drug that can restore the memory of people with amnesia. However, medication may be given to treat the underlying cause of the amnesia. Vitamin supplements are also sometimes given to prevent further damage to the nervous system.
Use of assistive devices
Use of assistive devices, such as smartphonee-mail, telephone, and electronic agenda, will help people with amnesia remember daily activities.
In addition, notebooks and photographs, such as photos of places or photos of a person, can also be used by people with amnesia to remember events or people around them.
Amnesia Complications
Amnesia can interfere with the patient's daily life. If it occurs continuously, this can lead to a decrease in quality of life. Sufferers can have difficulty at work, school, or socializing as a result of this condition.
If the condition is severe enough, some sufferers even need to be monitored or stay in a rehabilitation institution.
Amnesia Prevention
Amnesia is caused by damage to the brain. The best way that can be done to prevent amnesia is to avoid injury and disorders to the brain. Here are some things to do:
- Don't drink alcohol in excess
- Always use safety devices when driving, such as a helmet when riding a motorcycle or a seat belt when driving a car
- Check with a doctor if you have an infectious disease to reduce the risk of spreading it to the brain
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of a stroke or brain aneurysm, such as a severe headache, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body