Do you often forget things? Let's talk about Amnesia!

You've probably seen the scenes in movies where you hit your head and forget everything and ask yourself, 'Who am I?' Is that really memory loss , or what we medically call amnesia? In fact, most of the time, you don't forget who you are. But this can sometimes be a temporary condition, sometimes a long one. Let's talk about this in a little more detail .

Simply put, what is amnesia?

Amnesia is simply the loss of memory. This can be for something that happened a few seconds ago, a few days ago, or something that happened a long time ago. It can also be the inability to remember new things after the event that caused the condition.

But here's something we shouldn't confuse. That's the two conditions called amnesia and dementia. In dementia conditions like Alzheimer's disease, memory is also gradually lost. But at the same time, the ability to use language, the ability to make decisions, and the ability to perform daily tasks are also gradually lost. So it's different from amnesia.

What are the main types of amnesia?

There are several main types of amnesia. Let's see what they are. To make this easier to understand, I will show you a table like this.

Do you have symptoms like these?

The symptoms of amnesia can vary depending on the type and cause, but there are some common symptoms.

• Difficulty remembering exactly what happened.
• Inability to recognize familiar faces, streets, and places.
• Even if you know the way to somewhere, you can't find it.
• Forgetting familiar names.
• Forgetting things that were planned to be done in the future.
• Forgetting even simple information like what month it is or who the current president is.
• Feeling like you remember things that aren't really there or remembering memories in the wrong order (False memories ).

What are the causes of memory loss?

Many parts of our brain work together to remember things. So any damage, illness, or trauma to the brain can affect our memory. Here are some of the main reasons:

• Stroke or mini-stroke (TIA - transient ischemic attack).
• Brain infection (Encephalitis) due to viral infections or immune system problems.
• Reduced oxygen supply to the brain due to heart attack or respiratory failure.
• Brain tumors that occur in parts of the brain related to memory.
• Brain aneurysm (bursting of a blood vessel in the brain).
• Excessive alcohol consumption. This can cause long-term memory problems such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is caused by vitamin B1 deficiency.
• Some medications.
• Seizures.
• Alzheimer's and other dementia conditions.
• Severe head injuries.
• Severe mental trauma or stress.

How does a doctor find this?

If you have a memory problem, when you go to see a doctor, he will ask you a lot of details. You may also ask a family member about this.

Then, you will be given a series of simple tests to check your memory and thinking skills. These may include asking you to repeat a list of words or asking you to recall recent events.

In addition, the following tests may be ordered to determine the exact cause:

• MRI or CT scan to check for brain damage.
• An EEG (Electroencephalogram) test to check for epilepsy.
• If a brain infection is suspected, a spinal tap is performed.
• Blood tests (check vitamin levels, thyroid hormones, signs of infection).

What are the treatments for this?

There is no specific cure or treatment for amnesia. Treatment depends on the underlying condition that caused it. Sometimes, memory may gradually return as the brain damage heals.

Often, treatment involves teaching you ways to help you cope with your memory problems and make everyday life easier.

• Occupational therapy: An occupational therapist can help you learn new information and organize it systematically, making it easier to remember things.
• Use technology: Your smartphone can be a great help with this. You can set reminders to remind you of tasks you have to do for the day, medications you need to take, and important things like pictures and addresses can be saved on your phone.

What should we do to preserve our memory?

There are several things we can do to reduce the risk of conditions like amnesia and maintain good brain health.

• Think about safety: Wear a seat belt when riding in a car. Wear a helmet when riding a bike. These protect you from head injuries.
• Limit alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption is directly harmful to the brain.
• Treat infections promptly: It is important to treat any infection before it spreads to the brain.
• Healthy lifestyle: A good nutritious diet, adequate exercise, and getting 7-9 hours of good sleep a day are essential for brain health.
• Exercise your brain: Keep your brain active by doing crossword puzzles, learning something new (e.g. a musical instrument, a language), and reading books.
• Seek immediate medical attention: If you experience any of the symptoms of a stroke (facial drooping, difficulty speaking, numbness on one side of the body, sudden severe headache) , go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) without delay.

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