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What Is Amnesia?
According to Wikipedia, Amnesia or Amnaesia (see spelling differences) is a condition in
which memory is disturbed. The causes of amnesia are organic or functional. Organic causes
include damage to the brain, through trauma or disease, or use of certain (generally
sedative) drugs. Functional causes are psychological factors, such as defense mechanisms.
Hysterical post-traumatic amnesia is an example of this. Amnesia may also be spontaneous,
in the case of transient global amnesia. This global type of amnesia is more common in
middle-aged to elderly people, particularly males, and usually lasts less than 24 hours.
Different Types of Amnesia
There are many different types of amnesia. They are:
Anterograde Amnesia - Inability to remember ongoing events after the incidence of trauma or the onset of the disease that caused the amnesia
Emotional or Hysterical Amnesia - Memory loss caused by psychological trauma; usually a temporary condition
Lacunar Amnesia - Inability to remember a specific event
Korsakoff Syndrome - Memory loss caused by chronic alcoholism
Posthypnotic Amnesia - Memory loss sustained from a hypnotic state; can include inability to recall events that occurred during hypnosis or information stored in long-term memory
Retrograde Amnesia - Inability to remember events that occurred before the incidence of trauma or the onset of the disease that caused the amnesia
Transient Global Amnesia - Spontaneous memory loss that can last from minutes to several hours; usually seen in middle-aged to elderly people
Traumatic Amnesia - Generally due to a head injury (fall, knock on the head). Traumatic amnesia is often transient; the duration of the amnesia is related to the degree of injury and may give an indication of the prognosis for recovery of other functions. Mild trauma, such as a car accident that could result in no more than mild whiplash, might cause the occupant of a car to have no memory of the moments just before the accident due to a brief interruption in the short/long-term memory transfer mechanism.
Dissociative Amnesia - Refers to long-term repressed memory that is the result of psychological or emotional trauma.
Childhood Amnesia - Also known as Infantile amnesia, it is the common inability to remember events from one's own childhood. Whilst Sigmund Freud attributed this to sexual repression, others have theorised that this may be due to language development or immature parts of the brain.
Global Amnesia - This is total memory loss. This may be a defence mechanism which occurs after a traumatic event. Post-traumatic stress disorder can also involve the spontaneous, vivid retrieval of unwanted traumatic memories.
Posthypnotic Amnesia - This is where events during hypnosis are forgotten, or where past memories are unable to be recalled.
Psychogenic Amnesia - Results from a psychological cause as opposed to direct damage to the brain caused by head injury, physical trauma or disease, which is known as organic amnesia.
Source Amnesia - This is a memory disorder in which someone can recall certain information, but they do not know where or how they obtained it.
Memory Distrust Syndrome - It is a term invented by the psychologist Gisli Gudjonsson to describe a situation where someone is unable to trust their own memory.
Source: Stedman's Medical Dictionary and Wikipedia
Different Types of Memory
All of us have varying degrees of memory ability. These may be classified as stated below:
Short-term memory - This refers to memories that last anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes
Intermediate long-term memory - This refers to memories that may last for days or even weeks, but eventually are lost forever (unless they are moved to long-term memory)
Long-term memory - This refers to memories that can be recalled for many years (perhaps for an entire lifetime)
These memories can be adversely affected by the effects of amnesia.
Some people may be born with amnesia while others get it due any one or a combination of
the factors listed above under 'Different Types of Amnesia'.
Treatment for Amnesia
Treatment for amnesia varies according to the type of amnesia and the suspected cause.
Anyone suffering any symptoms of amnesia should seek medical attention.
However, here are a few Home Remedies for Amnesia you may choose to use (at your own risk) according to
http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Amnesia.html:
Amnesia treatment using Rosemary - The most remarkable remedy for loss of memory or forgetfulness is the use of the herb rosemary, botanically known as Romarinus officinalis. Rosemary has long been regarded as a herb for remembrance. In ancient times, the Greeks and the Romans prepared fragrant distilled water from the flowers of this plant and inhaled the odour so that 'the evils were destroyed from the mind and the memory no longer played tricks.' Rosemary is considered to be an antidote for mental fatigue and forgetfulness. A tea made from this herb, taken once or twice a day, is a refreshing drink and an effective natural remedy for enhancing mental agility.
Amnesia treatment using Brahmi Booti - Another herb useful in amnesia is brahmi booti, botanically known as Bacopa scrophulariaceae. About seven grams of this herb should be dried in the shade and ground in water, along with seven kernels of almonds and half a gram of pepper. This mixture should be strained and sweetened with twenty-five gm of sugar. It should be drunk every morning for a fortnight on an empty stomach.
Amnesia treatment using Sage - The herb sage has also been found beneficial in the treatment of a weak memory or loss of memory. It acts on the cortex of the brain, mitigates mental exhaustion and strengthens the ability to concentrate. A tea prepared from dried sage leaves can be used regularly for this purpose.
Amnesia treatment using Almonds - Almonds are very valuable for restoring a poor memory caused by brain weakness. They contain unique properties to remove brain debility and to strengthen the brain. Almonds preserve the vitality of the brain and cure ailments originating from nervous disorders. Ten to twelve almonds should be immersed in water overnight and their outer skin removed. They should then be made into a fine paste and taken, mixed with one teaspoonful of butter or even alone. Inhaling ten to fifteen drops of almond oil through the nose, morning and evening, is also beneficial in the treatment of brain weakness.
Amnesia treatment using Walnuts - Walnut is another unique dry fruit valuable in countering brain weakness. About twenty grams of walnuts should be taken every day. The value of walnuts is enhanced if they are taken with figs or raisins in a proportion of ten gram each, everyday.
Amnesia treatment using Apples - Apples are useful in amnesia. The various chemical substances contained in this fruit such as vitamin B1, phosphorus, and potassium help in the synthesis of glutamic acid. This acid controls the wear and tear of nerve cells. Eating an apple a day with one tea-spoon of honey and one cup of milk is beneficial in the treatment of loss of memory and mental irritability. It acts as an effective nerve tonic and recharges the nerves with new energy and life.
Amnesia treatment using Other Fruits - All fruits which are rich in phosphorus are valuable mitigators of amnesia, as they invigorate the brain cells and tissues. Apart from apples, almonds, and walnuts, which have been discussed earlier, other phosphorus-rich fruits are figs, grapes, oranges, and dates. Their intake is highly beneficial in loss of memory due to brain debility.
Amnesia diet - Phosphorus-rich food and cow's milk
The diet of a patient suffering from amnesia should consist of phosphorus-rich foods like cereals, pulses, nuts, egg yolk, fruit juices, and milk. Cow's milk is specially beneficial and the patient should take as much of this milk as he can safely digest.
Other Amnesia Treatments
Sufficient sleep and rest - Ensuring sufficient rest and sleep under conducive conditions is very necessary.
Relaxation and meditation - The patient must also learn the art of relaxation and meditation, which can go a long way in curing amnesia.
Here is hoping you now have a better understanding of Amnesia. Please remember to consult a
physician if you suffer from any form of Amnesia without delay.
About the Author: Kraig Grayson is a University graduate with qualifications in Laboratory Techniques, Engineering, and
Computer Studies. He enjoys reading and as such writes and produces syndicated articles that will be of benefit to any reader.
Disclaimer: All articles are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect professional opinion.
Are there specific topics you would like to see articles on? If so, please email your requests to rss@kgbiz05.com.
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