3. Definition of Amnesia :
When people loss their ability to
memorize data they have amnesia.
Amnesia also refers to an inability
to recall information that is stored
in memory. In simple terms,
amnesia is the loss of memory.
4. Causes of Amnesia :
1) Brain injury : Traumatic brain
injury resulting from accidents, falls,
or physical trauma can cause amnesia,
particularly if the injury affects areas
of the brain involved in memory
formation and retrieval, such as the
hippocampus.
2) Neurological conditions: Certain
neurological disorders, such as
Alzheimer's disease, vascular
dementia, Parkinson's disease can
lead to progressive memory loss and
cognitive decline.
5. 3) Stroke: A stroke, which occurs
when blood flow to part of the brain is
interrupted, can cause damage to brain
tissue, leading to memory impairment
depending on the location and severity
of the stroke.
4) Hypoxia: Lack of oxygen to the
brain, whether due to cardiac arrest,
respiratory failure, or other causes,
can result in brain damage and
memory loss.
6. 5) Infections: Certain infections that
affect the brain, such as encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain) or
meningitis (inflammation of the
membranes surrounding the brain and
spinal cord), can cause memory
problems.
6) Toxic exposure: Exposure to
toxins, such as heavy metals (e.g.,
lead, mercury), certain chemicals, or
drugs (including alcohol and illicit
substances), can damage brain tissue
and impair memory function.
7. 7) Nutritional deficiencies: Severe
deficiencies in vitamins (e.g., thiamine,
vitamin B12) or minerals (e.g., zinc)
can affect brain function and contribute
to memory impairment, as seen in
conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome.
8) Psychiatric disorders: Conditions
such as depression, anxiety,
dissociative disorders, and post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can
sometimes involve memory
disturbances, although these are
typically more related to psychological
factors than organic brain damage.
8. 9) Medications: Certain medications,
including sedatives, anticonvulsants,
and some types of anesthesia, can have
side effects that affect memory.
10) Genetic factors: Inherited genetic
mutations can predispose individuals to
certain neurodegenerative diseases or
conditions that may cause memory
impairment.
9. Clinical features of amnesia :
1) Difficulty recalling past events: Individuals may have trouble remembering
specific details or entire periods of their past.
2) Confusion about identity or surroundings: They may feel disoriented or
have trouble recognizing familiar people, places, or things.
3) Difficulty forming new memories: This is known as anterograde amnesia,
where individuals struggle to retain new information or experiences after the
onset of amnesia.
10. 4) Memory gaps: There may be missing chunks of memory, particularly around
the time of the injury or onset of the condition.
5) Problems with learning and retaining new information: Individuals may
find it challenging to learn new tasks or information.
6)Repetitive questioning: They may repeatedly ask the same questions due to
forgetting previous conversations or answers.
7) Confabulation: Some individuals may unknowingly invent or fabricate stories
to fill in memory gaps.
11. Epidemiology :
The overall incidence of the amnesive disorders is difficult to
estimate. Amnestic disorders related to head injuries may affect people in any
age group. Alcohol-induced amnestic disorder is most common in people over
the age of 40 with histories of prolonged heavy alcohol use.
Amnestic disorders resulting from the abuse of drugs other than alcohol are
most common in people between the ages of 20 and 40. Transient global
amnesia usually appears in people over 50. Only 3% of people who experience
transient global amnesia have symptoms that recur within a year.
13. 1)Anterograde amnesia : The patient cannot remember new information.
Things that happened recently, information that should be stored into short-term
memory disappear. This is usually caused by brain trauma. However, a patient
with anterograde amnesia can remember data and events which happened before
the injury.
2)Retrograde amnesia : Often thought of as the opposite of anterograde
amnesia. The patient cannot remember events that occurred before his/her
trauma, but remembers things that happened after it normally.
14. 3)Transient global amnesia : A temporary loss of all memory. The patient with
transient global amnesia also finds it very hard to form new memories - he/she
has severe anterograde amnesia. The loss of past memories is milder. This is very
rare form of amnesia. A transient global amnesia patient tends to be older, and
usually has a vascular disease.
5)Traumatic amnesia : Memory loss caused by a hard blow to the head. People
who lose their memory as the result of car accident may have traumatic amnesia.
People with traumatic amnesia may experience a brief loss of consciousness, or
even go into a coma.
15. 6)Wernike - Korsakoff’s psychosis : This type of memory loss caused by
extended alcohol abuse. The disorder tends to be progressive - it gradually gets
worse over time.Patient also tend to have neurological problems, such as poor
coordination, and the loss of feelings in the toes and fingers. It can also be
caused by malnutrition. It is linked to thiamin deficiency.
7)Hysterical amnesia : This is a very rare phenomenon. Patients forget not
only their past, but their identity. They can’t recognize their own reflection(the
person in the mirror is a stranger).
16. 8)Childhood amnesia : The patient can’t recall events from early childhood.
Experts say this type of amnesia may be associated with language
development. Others say it is possible that some memory areas of the brain
were not fully mature during childhood.
9)Posthypnotic amnesia : Events during hypnosis cannot be recalled.
10)Source amnesia : The person can remember certain information, but does
not know how or where they got that information.
17. 11)Blackout phenomenon : Amnesia caused by a bout of heavy drinking.
The person cannot remember chunks of time during his/her binge.
12)Prosopamnesia : The person cannot remember faces. People can either
acquire prosopamnesia, or be born with it.
19. Check patient’s :
Judgement.
Short-term memory.
Long-term memory.
Tests :
MRI - used in detecting a tumor
in the brain.
CT scan if any injury occur or not
detect that.
EEG.
Blood tests may also reveal the
presence of any infection or
nutritional deficiencies.
20. Management for amnesive disorder :
Pharmacological management :
ACH inhibitors for moderate to
severe cases, and possibly
antidepressants or antianxiety
medications to address associated
symptoms like depression or
anxiety.
21. Nursing management :
Safety measures: Ensure the patient's environment is safe and free from
hazards to prevent accidents.
Routine and structure: Establishing a consistent daily routine can help the
patient feel more grounded and reduce confusion.
Memory aids: Provide memory aids such as calendars, clocks, and reminder
notes to help the patient remember important tasks and appointments.
22. Cognitive stimulation: Engage the patient in activities that stimulate
cognitive function, such as puzzles, memory games, and reminiscence
therapy.
Supportive communication: Use clear, simple language and provide
repetition when necessary. Be patient and supportive in your interactions with
the patient.
Medication management: Ensure that the patient is taking any prescribed
medications as directed, and monitor for any side effects or interactions.
23. Emotional support: Offer
emotional support to help the patient
cope with the frustrations and
challenges associated with memory
loss. Encourage them to express
their feelings and provide
reassurance.
Education and support for
caregivers: Educate family
members and caregivers about the
condition and how they can best
support the patient's needs. Provide
resources and support groups for
caregivers to access additional help
and guidance.
24.
25. Conclusion :
Caring for a client with amnesia requires patience, understanding, and tailored
support. Providing a structured environment, utilizing memory aids, and
encouraging routines can help mitigate the challenges associated with memory
loss. Additionally, offering emotional support, fostering a sense of security, and
involving the client in decision-making processes are essential aspects of their
care. By implementing these strategies, caregivers can enhance the quality of
life for individuals living with amnesia.
