Failing memory – Amnesia and dementia by Dr S. Chidambaranathan B.H.M.S, M.D Homeopathy Doctor Madurai (Treatment avail for all people around the world)
PSYCHIATRIC COMPLAINTS – Failing memory – Amnesia and dementia
Nowadays, science helps us in every way for not using our brain in-depth. Advanced technology creates alarms, schedulers, calendars, calculators, computers, robots, etc., to help us and keep us reminded about all information. Everything is available on the Internet, in printed format, in an encyclopedia, etc. One can retrieve at any time and anywhere the information needed. So, one need not bother to remember everything. Even then, one needs memory to use the latest machinery and technology.
Virtuous mind is priceless. Learning and experiences are essential to confront the competitive world with comfort. To retain the learning and the experiences for future interpretations, memory is most essential. With memory one can cherish, brood, learn advancements, interpret and plan future proceedings. Good memory will keep vibrant and abundant knowledge. It can help in quick review, understanding things in a better way, advancement and betterment. Memory can provide timely thought to make a decision at the right time. A wise man acts always with reasons with the help of his memory.
Memory problems can cause many conflicts in life, since it can make him / her to take wrong decisions or to become irritable at times. So, memory problems should be treated in the initial stage itself. It should be noted that many memory problems are undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed.
Memory
It is the ability of the mind to store, retain and recollect information. Memories are the seat of learning with the help of special senses and skills. Storing of information after being perceived depends on the way of perception. Likewise, retaining and recollecting ability depends in the interest and understanding while learnt or stored. They also depend upon the duration, nature, repetition of retrievals of information, etc. These are not the reaction of a single nerve cell in the brain, but an interaction of millions and millions of cells – just like taking a decision in a conference hall. Brain will analyse every cell’s suggestion and gives significance in storage according to the importance of the matter or information. It also helps in interpreting things with emotions or rational thinking.
It is the ability of the mind to store, retain and recollect information. Memories are the seat of learning with the help of special senses and skills. Storing of information after being perceived depends on the way of perception. Likewise, retaining and recollecting ability depends in the interest and understanding while learnt or stored. They also depend upon the duration, nature, repetition of retrievals of information, etc. These are not the reaction of a single nerve cell in the brain, but an interaction of millions and millions of cells – just like taking a decision in a conference hall. Brain will analyse every cell’s suggestion and gives significance in storage according to the importance of the matter or information. It also helps in interpreting things with emotions or rational thinking.
Memorising mechanism seems to be a mystery and is less understood. There are two types of memories
- Retrospective memories – remembering past incidents, for example schooldays or college days’ memories.
- Prospective memories – planning to do things in future, i.e. schedules, appointments, etc.
Memory can be further classified as
- Short term memories – are just like temporary files in computer. For example – superficial reading – it will be remembered for an hour or so if not, for that day and not more than that. Some people use to forget the food they had just two hours ago. It will be given less importance in the brain. So, like erasing a board, short-term memory will be erased often after completing the work or act. These short-term memories are lost in case of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, so they find it difficult to do any activity.
- Long time memories – are like stored files in the computer. They can be retained and recollected for a prolonged period, even for life. These long-term memories can be lost after a head injury, mental shock, tragedy/disaster (post-traumatic stress disorder), stroke, etc.
Problems with memory
Amnesia (Forgetfulness) – can be treated as God’s gift to forget tension or it can be treated as fate in case of the normal ageing process. Some persons won’t bother about it but some would be dejected. Forgetfulness is medically termed as amnesia (i.e. loss of memory). Memory loss can be partial or total. It may be also because of inattentiveness or lack of interest or brain dysfunctions.
Normally, while getting tensed or distracted or while doing many jobs (in mind) or without any reason, it is quite common for one to forget or be absent-minded. For example – forgetting well-known persons’ names, dates, day, city names, telephone numbers, etc. Those occasions are just like hanging up of our computer, i.e. brain fog. Some can recollect and recognise in a fraction of a second and some could not even after a long time. But once it is revealed, they may feel bad for having forgotten or not recognising these simple things.
If forgetfulness or absent-mindedness is going to happen once in a while, no one is going to bother about it, but if it happens often, definitely it should be analysed and treated to avoid progress of the disease (if any). Memory can go wrong with or without structural changes of brain. CT or MRI scan can reveal them. In elderly people, atrophy or shrinkage of brain can be noted in a scan. Alcohol or sedative drugs can also cause transitional or temporary blackout or amnesia. Amnesia can be classified as transitional and permanent. Further, they can be classified as:
- Global amnesia – losing entire memory
- Anterograde amnesia – cannot remember things from the start-up of complaints
- Retrograde amnesia – cannot remember things before the incident or complaints start-up.
- Mixed amnesia – losing past and present memories
- Psychological or emotional amnesia – lose of memory due to psychological trauma
- Source amnesia – know things, but could not give evidence from where he derives it
- Lacunar amnesia – loss of memory to single or specific thing/event
- Alcoholic amnesia – loss of memory due to excessive intake of alcohol
Dementia – medically means declining memory. It may be rapid or have slow progression.
It may be a
It may be a
- Physiological process occuring due to ageing or malnutrition or vitamin A, B1, B12 deficiences. These types of decline in memory will always be in slow progression.
- Pathological process occuring due to hydrocephalus, tumours, stroke, thyroid dysfunction, Down’s Syndrome, etc., as after any disease. These will most often haverapid onset.
Sufferers of dementia often miss their keys, umberallas during start-up of the disease and later with progresion of disease, they may get disoriented with way, place and can forget well-known persons, etc. Some dementia are reversible and some may not be reversible. Treatment for amnesia or dementia are usually difficult and most of the time, treatment can only halt the progress of the complaints. So it is always worthwhile to start treatment in the early stage itself. CT scan and MRI scan can help rule out structural complaints or complications or plan for right treatment. Dementia should be consulted with a neurologist as well as with psychologist to attain the right diagnosis.
The worst of all dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. In all memory problems, hope should be given and should not be given up.
for new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-452-233-8833 | +91-984-319-1011 (Mob)
Fax: +91-452-233-0196
E-mail: drcheena@yahoo.com
(Disclaimer - The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)
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