Amnesia or memory loss is a disorder that causes a person cannot remember information, experiences, or events that never been experienced. In addition, patients with amnesia will also be difficulties in forming new memories.
Amenesia can occur suddenly or develop slowly. This condition can be a symptom of a more serious health problems. Amnesia is often associated with dementia, a condition that also interfere with memory recall. However, both are actually different. Dementia causes a decline in function koginitif, and it did not occur in amnesia.
Symptoms Of Amnesia
Based on the symptoms, amnesia can be divided into two types, namely:
- Anterograde Amnesia. When experiencing this condition, the patient is difficult to form new memories. This disorder can be temporary or permanent.
- Retrograde Amnesia, i.e. the type of amnesia that causes the sufferer can not remember information or events that are past. This disorder tends to affect the memory that is newly formed. While in the old memory, like a childhood memory, the intrusion appears more slowly.
In some cases, patients with amnesia may also experience false memories (konfabulasi), which is a memory that is formed as bouquets or based on actual events, but placed in the wrong time. Other symptoms of amnesia is disorientation or confusion
The Cause Of The Amnesia
Amnesia can occur because of damage to part of the brain that form the limbic system that plays a role in regulating memory and emotions of a person. Some of the conditions that can trigger the onset of amnesia, among which are:
- Injury on the head, for example due to an accident.
- Stroke.
- Seizures.
- Encephalitis or inflammation of the brain.
- Tumors of the brain.
- Alzheimer's Disease.
- The dependence of the liquor in the long term.
- Consumption of certain drugs, such as benzodiazepine and sedative
- A decrease in the supply of oxygen to the brain (anoxia).
- Psychological Trauma, for example due to sexual harassment.
Analysis of Amnesia
prognosis of amnesia begins with a physical examination and patient history that can be obtained from the family or the nearest relative of the patient. To find out the cause of the amnesia experienced by the patient, physical examination needs to be combined with a test of support. Some of which include blood tests, MRI, CT scan, or electroencephalogram (EEG).
These tests aim to detect the damage or the condition of the brain that is not everyday. The doctor can also assess the recall of the patient to perform examination cognitive in order to take into account how far the lost memory. The results of this examination will determine the treatment procedures that will be done.
The Handling Of The Amnesia
The primary step in dealing with amnesia is through therapy. An example is the occupational therapy and cognitive therapy.
Through occupational therapy, the therapist will teach the patient how to recognize new information, as well as using memory that is still there to get new information. Whereas in cognitive therapy, the exercises are aimed to strengthen the power remember. The strengthening of the memory can also be supported with the help of technology, such as telephone, pill, or the agenda of electronic.
In addition to therapy, administration of vitamins and supplements can also be done to prevent more damage due to amnesia. Provision of nutrition or this supplement needs to be supported by lifestyle changes, one of which is to avoid alcoholic beverages.
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