If you’re like many people, you may suffer from amnesia – the inability to remember the details of your past. But, amnesia is not just a problem for individuals; it can also affect entire cultures and societies. In this post, we’ll explore the causes, effects, and treatments of amnesia on a global scale. We’ll look at how ancient civilizations have been impacted by amnesia, and how modern societies are still affected by it. We’ll also discuss how medical professionals are combating amnesia and how individuals can cope with it in their own lives. Finally, we’ll explore the recent advances in neuroscience that are helping to shed light on the mysterious condition of amnesia. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of amnesia and its implications on our world today. This post provides home remedies to help alleviate the symptoms of amnesia, a disorder that affects memory, learning, and behavior. We will discuss natural treatments and lifestyle changes that may help improve memory and reduce the effects of amnesia. We will also provide tips on how to reduce stress and improve overall health, as well as introduce techniques that can help strengthen memory and recall. Finally, we will provide information on when to seek professional help if amnesia symptoms persist.
What is Amnesia?
Amnesia is also known as Amnesic Syndrome (Scientific Binomial Name), Forgetfulness / Loss of Memory (Common English), (Unani), Bhulane ki Bimari / smriti bhransh (Hindi / Urdu), Napaka marati noy (Tamil), Smriti Jane (Marathi), (Sanskrit), Asmara / Smrtibhransa / Smrtibilopa (Bengali), Vismriti / Matimarapu rogamu (Telugu), Marevu / Smruti Nash (Kannada), orm-masaktiyillayma (Malayalam), Jianwang zheng / Jiyi queshi (Chinese), Amnesia (Spanish), Amnesia (Portuguese), Amneziya / Poterya Pamyati (Russian). A total or partial loss of memory is known as amnesia. Misplaced documents. Forgotten names. Missed appointments. More than two-thirds of people over sixty-five say that they have trouble recalling old details and absorbing new ones. To some people, memory problems are just part of what used to be called “senility,” an unfortunate but natural part of old age. For others, periodic forgetfulness sets off alarm bells: Is this Alzheimer’s? Stroke? Dementia? Amnesia?
What Cause Amnesia?
It occurs as a result of either physical or mental disease such as senile dementia, or physical trauma such as a blow to the head or a fractured skull. The latter may induce a state of retrograde amnesia where the sufferer has no memory of the events immediately before the injury as well as those after. The period of amnesia in such cases is usually in proportion to the severity of the injury. Amnesia is caused by damage to, or disease of, brain regions concerned with memory function, and can also occur in some forms of psychiatric illness in which there is no apparent physical damage to the brain. Amnesia can very often be a complication of alcoholism, and can result from depression, anxiety, stress, poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, or lack of stimulation.
Amnesia (Forgetfulness) Home Remedies
Many people with memory problems are actually suffering from a malnourished brain. The brain, like the rest of the body, needs to receive its supply of oxygen and nutrients from the blood if it is to function at its best. Chemicals called neurotransmitters, which enable the brain cells to communicate and create memory links, are especially dependent on good nutrition. The brain also needs high doses of nutrients to fight damage from free radicals. Of particular importance are essential fatty acids, which are required for the cell walls of brain cells. These essential fatty acids, particularly DHA, impact memory and concentration in a positive fashion. When the circulation is sluggish and blood is low in “brain food,” memory disturbances may well be the result.
- Gotu Kola Improves Mental Retardation: Very few herbs in the plant kingdom have memory stimulating properties attributed to them, and even fewer still that can be clinically documented. Gotu Kola is probably the only herb thus far that has been scientifically tested and proven to definitely increase mental activity. It strengthens the heart, memory and brain. A gotu kola product may be found at your local health food store. An average of 4 capsules per day is recommended for this or follow the instructions mentioned on product.
- Spinal Bath for Memory Loss: The spinal bath is another important form of hydrotherapic treatment. This bath provides a soothing effect to the spinal column and thereby influences the central nervous system. It is given in a specially designed tub with its back raised so as to provide proper support to the head. The bath can be administered at cold, neutral and hot temperatures. The water level in the tub should be an inch and a half to two inches and the patient should lie in it for three to 10 minutes. The cold spinal bath relieves irritation, fatigue, hypertension and excitement. It is beneficial in almost all nervous disorders such as hysteria, fits, mental disorders, loss of memory and tension. The duration of this bath is 20 to 30 minutes. The hot spinal bath, on the other hand, helps to stimulate the nervous, especially when they are in a depressed state.
- Sage – Memory Stimulant: Combine 2 cups of fresh sage leaves in an electric blender on high speed for 5 minutes with 4 cups of fine burgundy until they are thoroughly suspended in the alcohol. Store in a bottle with a cork and take 1 tsp. of this tonic in 2/3 cup of Perrier water every day.
- Scents to Help You Remember: At a health food store, purchase a small bottle of either rosemary or basil essential oil. Tests of brain waves show that inhaling either of these scents increases the brain’s production of beta waves, which indicate heightened awareness. All you need to do is put a trace of the oil in your hair, wrists, or clothing anywhere you can get a whiff. Or put some of the oil in a diffuser, and let it fill the air. The nasal cavities are in close proximity to the brain. Perhaps this is why ancient Greek scholars wore laurels of rosemary when taking examinations. When receiving important information, inhale up to ten breaths of pure essential oils like basil, lemon, lemon grass, lime, peppermint, or rosemary to help imprint the information into the psyche. When you need to recall something, smell the same scent.
- Brahmi – Indian Ayurveda Formula: Drink brahmi milk. 1/2 teaspoon brahmi boiled for a couple of minutes in a cup of milk at bedtime is good practice. It will improve your memory remarkably. Add a pinch of saffron. You can drink brahmi milk every day for a month, or continue indefinitely. OR A teaspoon of brahmi ghee, taken 5 to 10 minutes before breakfast and before dinner, also helps. Brahmi oil rubbed on the soles of the feet and on the scalp stimulates cerebral neural receptors under the skin, which send messages to the brain cells and can activate memory.
- Improve Brain Function: New research has uncovered a link between mild glucose intolerance and age-related memory loss. Food converted by the digestive system to glucose (blood sugar) is the main fuel that powers the organs, including the brain. But many people, especially those past their youth, have poor glucose tolerance, meaning they have trouble processing glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells. According to the new research, even mild, nondiabetic glucose intolerance appears to reduce short term memory in middle age and beyond. What to do? Eat reasonably sized meals at regular hours, emphasizing fiber-rich whole grains and vegetables over “white” carbohydrates such as white pasta, white bread, potatoes, and white rice.
- Mental Gymnastics – Memory Booster Trick: Try fun exercises to challenge your brain and help you perfect the art of recall. Want to grow some new brain circuitry? Several times a day, use the “wrong” hand to do an everyday task. For example, if you normally brush your teeth with your right hand, use your left instead. If you always zip up your jeans with your left hand, use your right. The brain “knows” when you’re using the wrong hand, because of the sensory and motor information it receives from that hand. It’s that “confusion” that stimulates new brain circuits, as the brain struggles to master a new task. Stick to the simple tasks, though. You don’t want to try this when you’re using a power drill. If you’re trying to remember how to spell a word, think of the word as an acronym and expand it into a sentence. Many kids learned to spell “arithmetic” by remembering the line “A Rat In The House Might Eat The Ice Cream.” You can use the same trick to memorize lists.
- Vitamin B12 for Poor Memory: Vitamin B12 or cobolamin, commonly known as “red vitamin”, is the only vitamin that contains essential mineral elements. It is essential for proper functioning of the central nervous system, production and regeneration of red blood cells and proper utilization of fat, carbohydrates and protein for body building. It also improves concentration, memory and balance. Valuable sources of this vitamin are kidney, liver, meat, milk, eggs, bananas and peanuts. It is beneficial in the treatment of lack of concentration, fatigue, depression, insomnia and poor memory. Its deficiency can lead to certain types of anemia, poor appetite and loss of energy and mental disorders.
- Food That Boost Memory: Green foods are high in chlorophyll, which transports oxygen to the brain. Make at least one daily meal a salad of leafy greens, even wild ones like dandelion. Eat a handful of raw sunflower seeds daily. Drink 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of raw apple cider vinegar in water three times daily before each meal to improve memory. High cholesterol clogs arteries, decreasing blood supply to the brain. So use good fats such as extra virgin olive and cold pressed coconut oil. When you prepare food, use liberal amounts of brain enhancing antioxidant herbs like basil, cilantro, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
- Aloe – Effective Treatment for Amnesia: Aloe vera gel (1 tablespoon) with a pinch of black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon bhringaraj (Indian Ayurveda Herb) powder, taken 2 or 3 times a day, is also beneficial.
- Meditation and Yoga on Forgetfulness: There is an ancient Vedic technique to recapture a lost memory: If you forget something, just sit quietly and stay in the forgetfulness. Breathe into the forgetfulness, and try to dig out the memory. Suddenly it will come back. Yoga postures are helpful, especially the inverted poses (Shoulder Stand, Headstand, Plow pose, and Camel pose), which help to bring more blood to the brain. The Bow and Cobra poses are also helpful, as is Savasana, the yogic rest pose. Also do the Sun Salutation, 12 cycles a day.
Lifestyle Tips for Good Memory
- The color yellow is cerebrally stimulating. Use yellow to highlight important passages when reading. Try a yellow legal pad. Wear accents of yellow or use it in décor where mental work is being done.
- Make sure that you get enough of the B vitamins in your diet. These include vitamins B6, B12, niacin, and thiamin. These nutrients help make and repair brain tissue, and some of them help your body turn food into mental energy. Bananas, chickpeas, and turkey are rich in vitamin B6; whole grains and meat are good sources of all the Bs. Nuts and seeds, wheat germ, and fortified breakfast cereals are other good sources of B vitamins.
- Eat fish two or three times a week. Cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and tuna contain omega-3 fatty acids. You probably know these fats are good for your heart because they help “thin” the blood and prevent clogged arteries; they’re good for your brain for the same reasons.
- Listen to music often, and sample various types. Researchers have found that listening to music can improve your ability to concentrate and help you remember what you’ve learned. Some types of music actually cause brain neurons to fire more quickly. The faster the beat, the more the brain responds.
- Find ways to reduce stress. Tense people have high levels of stress hormones in their bodies. Over time, these hormones can affect the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. You don’t have to chant or meditate, just do something that’s simple and fun, from swinging in a hammock to finger painting with your children or grandchildren.
- Read things that are challenging and give new insights. If fiction is usually your thing, try a biography, self-help, spiritual, or even science fiction book.
- Wearing an amethyst crystal, according to gem therapists, improves memory.
- There’s really no way that you, on your own, can determine the seriousness of memory problems. So schedule an appointment with your doctor if you feel that your memory has gotten significantly worse in the past six months. Make an immediate appointment if you have trouble remembering how to do things you’ve done many times before or can’t remember how to get to a familiar place. Also call if you have trouble accomplishing activities that involve step by step instructions, such as following a recipe.
FAQs.
Q. How do you treat amnesia naturally?
- Get plenty of rest: Being well-rested helps your brain to function better.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise increases oxygen flow to your brain and helps improve cognitive functioning.
- Eat a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet helps to keep your brain functioning properly.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
- Connect with others: Connecting with family and friends can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Stimulate your mind: Engaging in activities that stimulate your mind, such as reading, writing, or playing games, can help to improve your memory.
- Seek professional help: If you’re having difficulty managing your amnesia, seek professional help from a healthcare provider.
Q. What is the easiest way to cure amnesia?
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to cure amnesia. Treatment for amnesia typically involves cognitive rehabilitation therapy, which focuses on helping the patient relearn skills and memories that have been lost. In some cases, doctors may also prescribe medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors to help improve memory.
Q. What can get rid of amnesia?
Amnesia is a complex condition and cannot be cured with a single treatment. Treatment for amnesia typically involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy, and other therapies, such as occupational therapy and physical therapy. In some cases, medications may be used to help improve memory and cognitive functioning. In other cases, cognitive-behavioral therapy, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes may be recommended to help improve memory.
Q. Can amnesia be cured?
It may improve over time but there is no known cure. Treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Q. How do you stop amnesia?
There are some strategies and treatments that may help in managing amnesia and its symptoms. These may include cognitive rehabilitation, psychotherapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. It is important to speak to a doctor or mental health professional for the best advice and treatment options.
Q. How long does amnesia last for?
The duration of amnesia depends on the cause and can range from a few hours to a lifetime.
Q. What are 3 main causes of amnesia?
- Head trauma, such as a blow to the head or concussion.
- Stroke.
- Certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Other causes of amnesia can include psychological trauma, brain tumors, drug or alcohol abuse, certain medications, vitamin B-12 deficiency, and infection.
Q. How to help someone with amnesia?
- Be patient and understanding: It can be difficult for someone with amnesia to recall events or information. It is important to be understanding and patient with them as they work to remember things.
- Create a supportive environment: It is important to create a supportive environment for someone with amnesia. This may include providing them with a comfortable place to rest and relax, minimizing distractions, and providing emotional support.
- Encourage them to use visual cues: Visual cues, such as calendars, photographs, and notes, can be helpful for someone with amnesia. Encourage them to use these cues to help them remember important information or events.
- Keep a journal: Keeping a journal can be helpful for someone with amnesia. Encourage them to write down details of their day, such as the date, time, and people they interacted with. This can help them to remember important events.
- Seek professional help: If someone with amnesia is having difficulty remembering important details or is feeling overwhelmed, it is important to seek professional help. A doctor or therapist can provide additional assistance and resources to help them manage their condition.
Q. What is post-hypnotic amnesia?
Post-hypnotic amnesia is a condition in which an individual is unable to recall memories or information that was previously accessible during a hypnosis session. It is often used in therapy to help suppress traumatic memories or difficult experiences.
Q. What is dissociative amnesia, and how does it affect a person’s life?
Dissociative amnesia is a mental disorder characterized by sudden and unexpected memory loss. People with this disorder may experience difficulty remembering important personal information, such as their identity, family history, or past events. They may also forget the details of a traumatic event or life experience. Dissociative amnesia can affect a person’s life in many ways. It can lead to confusion and difficulty functioning in everyday life. It can also cause emotional distress, fear, and anxiety. People with this disorder may also experience social isolation due to their inability to remember important details and relationships.
Q. Do people with amnesia maintain their knowledge of martial arts?
It depends on the type of amnesia. In some cases, people with amnesia may be able to retain their knowledge of martial arts, but it is not guaranteed. It is possible for some of the knowledge to remain, but it is also possible for all of the knowledge to be lost.
Q. Is it possible to forget just one person in amnesia?
Yes, it is possible to forget just one person in amnesia. People with amnesia can forget specific people or specific memories, or they can forget entire chunks of their past. Depending on the type and severity of amnesia, forgetting one person is possible.
Q. Is dissociative amnesia a lifetime illness?
No, dissociative amnesia is not considered a lifetime illness. It is typically a short-term condition that can range from a few hours to a few weeks. Treatment is available, and the condition can generally be resolved with therapy. Dissociative amnesia is a type of dissociative disorder characterized by sudden, unexpected episodes of memory loss. During these episodes, individuals may be unable to recall personal information, such as their name, address, or even events from their own past. The episodes can range from a few hours to several years in duration.
Q. Is there any way for a person to remember something even though he/she suffers from dissociable amnesia?
Yes, it is possible for a person with dissociative amnesia to remember something. A person with dissociative amnesia may be able to remember certain details about their past, such as certain events, places, or people, depending on the severity of the amnesia. Treatment for dissociative amnesia may include psychotherapy and medications that help to improve memory. Additionally, utilizing techniques such as mnemonic devices, visual aids, and repetition can help to improve memory in people with dissociative amnesia.
Q. Why do amnesia victims still remember how to talk and use words?
Amnesia is a complex condition with a variety of causes and effects, and the degree of memory loss experienced by amnesia victims varies widely. Generally speaking, though, the ability to talk and use words is typically preserved due to the fact that language is largely stored and processed in the left hemisphere of the brain, which is often less affected by amnesia than the right hemisphere.
Q. Can transient global amnesia be caused by stress?
Yes, transient global amnesia can be caused by stress. Stressful events, such as a traumatic experience or an emotional reaction, can trigger an episode of transient global amnesia. Other potential causes include physical exertion, sudden immersion in cold water, and the use of certain medications. Transient global amnesia is a rare type of memory loss that causes sudden and temporary confusion and memory loss. Symptoms can include confusion, difficulty forming new memories, and an inability to recall recent events. This type of amnesia typically lasts for a few hours, although it can last for up to 24 hours. There is usually no long-term memory loss associated with transient global amnesia.
Q. Do people with amnesia remember skills? If I knew how to play guitar, would I still remember after amnesia?
It is possible for some people with amnesia to retain skills they had before the onset of amnesia. However, the extent to which they can remember and use these skills varies greatly. Some people may be able to remember and use certain skills, such as playing guitar, while others may not. It is impossible to predict how a person with amnesia may respond to a given skill.
Q. What is collective amnesia?
Collective amnesia is a phenomenon where a group of people, usually a community or society, experiences a shared forgetting of past events or knowledge. It is often seen as a form of social forgetting where the group chooses to forget traumatic or painful memories in order to move forward.
Q. What are dementia and amnesia?
- Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is caused by physical changes in the brain. Symptoms include memory loss, difficulty thinking and problem solving, confusion, difficulty communicating, and changes in mood and personality.
- Amnesia is a condition in which a person is unable to remember information or past events. It can be caused by brain damage, stroke, or psychological trauma. Symptoms may include difficulty forming new memories, difficulty remembering past events, and difficulty remembering personal information.
Q. Do people with amnesia forget their family members?
Yes, people with amnesia can forget their family members, depending on the type of amnesia they have. For example, people with retrograde amnesia can forget events that happened before the onset of amnesia, which can include memories of family members. On the other hand, people with anterograde amnesia can forget newly acquired information, which can include information about family members.
Q. Does getting hit in the head after having amnesia actually reverse the effects of getting your memory back?
No, getting hit in the head after having amnesia does not reverse the effects of getting your memory back. Amnesia is a memory disorder characterized by an inability to remember past experiences or events. Treatment typically involves cognitive and memory rehabilitation, which involves activities to help the person relearn information and restore lost memories. There is no evidence to suggest that getting hit in the head after having amnesia can restore lost memories or reverse the effects of amnesia.