Retrograde Amnesia
![Having retrograde amnesia means that patient has lost the ability to recall events that happened just before the onset of amnesia.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/is-agoraphobia-a-mental-illness.jpg?output-quality=75)
Having retrogradeamnesiameans that patient has lost the ability to recall events that happened just before the onset of amnesia. In most cases, afflicted individuals generally lose recollection of their most recent memories. Older memories are more likely to be retained. Majority of people remember memories from their childhood and adolescence. The symptoms may include
- Issues with mental coordination
- Generalconfusion
- False memories
- Forgetting people, locations, information and faces that were learned before the incident, which prompted the amnesia
- The only specific symptom of retrograde amnesia is forgetting past events as opposed to new ones
However, the patient may still recall certain skills, such as driving,bike ridingor playing an instrument. Depending on the cause of retrograde amnesia, the afflicted person may or may not be able to develop new memories and relearn certain skills.
Causes of retrograde amnesia
At times, it can be difficult to track the exact cause of person's retrograde amnesia. The common causes may include
- Brain injuries
- Surgeries
- Traumatic events
- Nutritionissues
- Seizures
- Infections (brainabscess,meningitis,encephalitis)
- Electroconvulsive therapy, commonly known asshocktherapy
- It can also be due to cerebrovascular accidents,strokeorhead injury
- Alcohol abuseordrug abuse
- Alzheimer'sdisease:It is another common cause of retrograde amnesia.Alzheimer'sdisease often occurs gradually. Mild forgetfulness seems harmless, but with Alzheimer's, it progressively escalates to the inability to remember all kinds of facts and information. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for this affliction.
- Cardiac arrest:Individuals who undergo cardiac arrest are particularly susceptible to retrograde amnesia. During cardiac arrest, people ceasebreathingthat can cut off oxygen to the brain. This may lead tomental healthissues.
Treatment options for retrograde amnesia
Retrograde amnesia may resolve in less than 24 hours or may persist for a lifetime depending on the cause. Short-lived loss of blood flow, limited epilepticseizures, and psychogenic amnesia tend to be temporary. However, permanent injury to the brain tends to cause amnesia to exist longer or be permanent. The diagnosis and reason for getting amnesia will determine how long the symptoms will last. If the structures that hold memories are permanently shut down, it may be temporary. If they are destroyed, it can be much more difficult to develop new memories. Treatment of amnesia depends on the underlying causes. The following treatments and preventative measures are currently used in the fight against amnesia symptoms:
- Meditation:Practicing mindfulness and breathing exercises can help the nervous system function properly.
- Drugs:Cholinergic drugs (e.g.,donepezil) may improve memory slightly and temporarily in a few patients; these drugs are often tried indementiaas well. Otherwise, no specific measures can hasten recovery or improve the outcome.
- Sleepschedule:Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time, making sure to get an adequate eight hours ofsleepeach night.
- Occupational therapy:This treatment is suitable for persistent amnesia symptoms. It helps people learn new things and adjust to a new lifestyle. It involves learning new information to replace what was lost or use memories as a basis for taking in new information and memory training. Some people also use electronic organizers for daily activities, such as the ones integrated into smartphones or handheld devices. Other memory aids include notebooks, wall calendars and photographs of people and places.
- Psychotherapy:The use of psychotherapy can also prove beneficial in the recovery from retrograde amnesia. This is particularly applicable in cases of severe mental damage due to accidents. Psychotherapy can also combatdepression, compulsions,anxietyand even relationships with friends and family members.
To better prevent episodes of amnesia, keep the following in mind
- Avoidalcohol
- Wear protective gear when appropriate (boxing, driving, riding bicycles)
- Stay mentally and physically active
- Eat a balanceddietand stay hydrated
Some retrograde amnesiacs benefit from multiple forms of treatment. Consulting with a licensed doctor is always the most effective way of determining which form of treatment is best for the patient.
Top What Does It Mean to Have Retrograde ? Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP:持续气道正压。一个治疗ment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- 订单:口服。摇来摇去m the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- 类风湿性关节炎:类风湿性关节炎
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Reasons for Memory Loss and Dementia Risk
Forget your keys? That might be absentmindedness. Forget what you did this morning? That might be a more serious memory problem. Find out what causes memory loss and what you can do about it.