Brain Power Tips

It’s more than just forgetfulness.  Temporary loss of memory can be serious; it is typically caused by traumatic brain injury or a serious disorder.  Also known as amnesia, it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose.

When someone experiences a traumatic brain injury (TBI), there is always the possibility that part of the brain can be damaged.  The injury may damage parts of the brain responsible for movement, balance, sight, hearing or memory to name a few.  It may be temporary or last a lifetime.  But there are steps you can take to help prevent TBI’s.  If you ride a motorcycle, ATV, or snowmobile always wear a helmet.  It is estimated that up to eighty five percent of head injuries could be prevented by helmet usage.

Epilepsy can also cause temporary loss of memory.  “Epilepsy” is a generic term for a group of brain disorders that cause seizures, which can induce symptoms ranging from involuntary convulsions, numbness in the limbs and brief memory lapses.  If the seizure is located in the brain’s memory center alone, the epileptic may go about their day as if nothing is wrong, only to find out later that they do not recall what happened earlier in the day.  Unfortunately there is no cure for epilepsy, but it can be managed with medication and diet.

Memory gaps are also used to diagnose a stroke.  A stroke occurs when a blood flow to the brain is slowed or stopped.  It can be a blocked blood vessel in the brain itself or a clot from an artery breaking loose and traveling up.  Other symptoms used to diagnose stroke are loss of balance, dizziness and fatigue.

Whether or not you have been injured, a temporary loss of memory requires a physician’s advice.  While epilepsy is more common in the young and stokes more common in the elderly, both can happen at any time.

What Causes Seizures and Memory Loss?