Treatment of Amnesia After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Treatment of Amnesia After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Amnesia is one of the most common problems that could develop following a traumatic brain injury. Amnesia, the medical term for memory loss, can be extremely distressing to not only the individual but also to his or her loved ones. The inability to remember past events, or form memories regarding future experiences, can lead to strained relationships with family members, friends, and coworkers. Amnesia can also lead to significant problems with work, school, and everyday life. There are two different forms of amnesia from which individuals suffering a TBI could experience:

• Anterograde Amnesia: In this form of amnesia, an individual is unable to form new memories. He or she may still be able to remember past events.
• Retrograde Amnesia: This form of amnesia is marked by the inability to remember past events. These could be immediate memories or even those that are many years old. Individuals may still be able to form new memories.

Some people may have a mixture of both types of amnesia.

Why Does Amnesia Happen Following a TBI?

The various lobes of the brain serve different functions. Some of the functions controlled by the brain include:

• Judgment and inhibition
• Vision and hearing
• Emotional control
• Learning and memory

Depending on the part of the brain that has been damaged, an individual might have memory problems following a traumatic brain injury. The medial temporal lobe is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory. Inside of the medial lobe is an area called the limbic system. The limbic system consists of several different organs including the:

• Hippocampus
• Cingulate gyrus
• Thalamus
• Amygdala
• Mammillary body

Together, these organs work together to process new memories and remember old ones. If an individual is involved in a severe accident and suffers a blow to this part of the head, memory problems could develop.

Watch YouTube Video: How Do Concussions Cause Amnesia? This video explains how a brain injury such as a concussion can cause amnesia.

The Treatment Options for Amnesia

Amnesia following a traumatic brain injury is common. The medical term for this subset of amnesia is called post-traumatic amnesia. This occurs when an impact strikes the medial temporal lobe of the brain, damaging the neurons that are present. If an individual presents to a medical provider with symptoms of memory loss, imaging procedures will be needed to make sure that there isn’t a brain bleed. Then, the treatment process will begin. This often consists of:

• Removing neural stimulation to give the brain time to rest.
• Ensuring that the individual receives counseling and therapy to discuss the accident and the head injury.
• Cognitive training and exercises are used to re-train the neurons.

No medications are currently used to treat post-traumatic amnesia. Depending on the severity of the injury, the recovery process could be prolonged. Some individuals who develop this type of amnesia could take months or even years to regain their memories. In time, the neurons of the brain typically heal, and the memories do return. Unfortunately, during this time, families could be feeling a tremendous amount of stress. For this reason, a comprehensive approach to the treatment of a TBI is essential.

Comprehensive Care for a Traumatic Brain Injury

Memory loss is only one of the many complications which might arise after a TBI. Some of the other common complications include:

• The development of mental health complications including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
• Chronic pain related to nerve damage following the accident.
• Problems with weakness in the arms and legs which lead to motor difficulties.
• Numbness or tingling in certain parts of the body.
• Possible issues related to eating, speaking or even breathing.

Because of the severity of these complications, a treatment plan for a TBI should involve the help of multiple medical professionals and specialists.

Contacting a San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

Among the possible injuries that someone might suffer in an accident, a blow to the head or neck could be most severe. Damage to the neurons in the brain is often permanent, leading to motor and sensory problems that might never improve. This can place the entire family under an extreme amount of stress, wondering where they can turn for help. In this situation, meeting with a Traumatic brain injury attorney is essential. Reach out for help today.

Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in San Francisco