Transient global Amnesia

Description

Transient global Amnesia is an episode of confusion that occurs suddenly in a person who is alert. This state of confusion is not caused by a more common neurological condition, such as epilepsy or stroke.

During an episode of transient global amnesia, a person is unable to create the new memory, so the memory of recent events disappears. You can't remember where you are or how you got there. You may not remember anything about what is happening now. You can keep repeating the same questions because you don't remember the answers I have received. You can also draw a blank when asked to remember things that happened a day, a month or even a year ago.

The condition most often affects middle-aged or older of age. With transient global amnesia, remember who you are, and you recognize the people you know well. Episodes of transient global amnesia always get better slowly over a couple of hours. During the recovery, you can begin to remember the facts and circumstances. Transient global Amnesia is not serious, but it can be very scary.

Symptoms

The main symptom of transient global amnesia is unable to create new memories and to recall the recent past. Once the symptom is confirmed, to rule out other possible causes of amnesia is important.

You should have these signs and symptoms to be diagnosed with transient global amnesia:

  • The sudden onset of confusion that include loss of memory, seen by a witness
  • To be awake and alert and know who you are, despite the loss of the memory
  • Normal cognition, such as the ability to recognize and name familiar objects and follow the simple instructions
  • There are No signs of damage to a particular area of the brain, such as being unable to move an arm or a leg, movements that you cannot control, or trouble understanding the words

More of the history and symptoms that can help diagnose the transient global amnesia:

  • Symptoms lasting no more than 24 hours and usually shorter
  • The Gradual return of the memory
  • No recent head injury
  • There are No signs of seizures during the period of amnesia
  • No history of epilepsy active

Another common sign of transient global amnesia, due to the inability to create new memories includes repetitive questioning, usually of the same issue — for example, "What am I doing here?" or "How did we get here?"

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention immediately for any person that quickly goes out of the normal consciousness of the present reality to the confusion about what just happened. If the person suffers from loss of memory is too confused to call an ambulance, call to one's self.

Transient global Amnesia is not dangerous. But there is no easy way to tell the difference between transient global amnesia and life-threatening diseases, which can also cause sudden loss of memory.

Causes

The underlying cause of transient global amnesia is unknown. There may be a link between transient global amnesia and a history of migraines. But the experts do not understand the factors that contribute to both conditions. Another possible cause is the excessive filling of the veins with the blood due to some type of blockage or other problem with the blood flow (venous congestion).

While the probability of transient global amnesia after these events is very low, some of the most commonly reported events that can cause include:

  • Sudden immersion in hot or cold water
  • The strenuous physical activity
  • Sex
  • Medical procedures, such as angiography or endoscopy
  • Mild head trauma
  • Be emotionally disturbed, maybe by the bad news, conflict or too much work

Risk factors

Interestingly, many studies have found that high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are closely linked to blows are not risk factors for transient global amnesia. This is probably due to the transient global amnesia do not represent diseases of the blood vessels of aging. Your sex does not seem to affect the risk, either.

The more clear of the risk factors are:

  • Age. People 50 years of age and older have a higher risk of transient global amnesia of younger people.
  • The story of migraine headaches. If you have migraine, the risk of transient global amnesia is significantly greater than that of someone without migraine.

Complications

Transient global Amnesia has no complications. It is not a risk factor for stroke or epilepsy. It is possible to have a second episode of transient global amnesia, but it is very rare to have more than two.

But even a temporary loss of memory can cause emotional distress. If you need peace of mind, ask your doctor to go over the results of his neurological examination and diagnostic tests with you.

Prevention

Because the cause of transient global amnesia is unknown, and the recurrence rate is low, there is no way to prevent the disease.

Transient global Amnesia

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis of transient global amnesia, the doctor must first rule out more serious conditions. This can include stroke, seizure or head injury, for example. These conditions can cause the same type of memory loss.

Physical examination

This begins with a neurological examination, the testing of reflexes, muscle tone, muscle strength, sensory function, gait, posture, coordination and balance. The doctor may also ask you questions to test your thinking, judgment, and memory.

Brain and imaging tests

The next step is testing to look for abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain and the flow of blood. Your doctor may order one or a combination of these tests:

  • The computed tomography (CT). Through the X-ray equipment, the doctor obtains the images from different angles, and binds to show cross-sectional images of the brain and the skull. computed tomography (CT) can reveal abnormalities in the structure of the brain, including reduced, saturated, or rupture of blood vessels and the last of the strokes.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This technique uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the brain. The Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the machine can combine these sectors to produce 3D images that can be viewed from many different angles. An mri may not be necessary if you had a ct scan at the time of the episode, and the CT scan shows no problems in the brain.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG). An electroencephalogram (EEG) records the brain's electrical activity through electrodes attached to the scalp. People with epilepsy often have changes in their brain waves, even when you're not having a seizure. This test is usually ordered if you have had more than one episode of transient global amnesia, or if your doctor suspects that you are having a seizure.

Treatment

No treatment is needed for transient global amnesia. It gets better without treatment, and there are no known lasting effects.

Preparing for your appointment

Anyone experiencing a sudden loss of memory of all the events that led to the current needs of emergency medical care. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately.

If a friend or family member develops these symptoms in your presence, to go with him or her to the hospital. Because he or she does not remember recent events, you will need to provide important information to the doctor.

What you can do

  • Stay with the person through the complete medical evaluation. Sudden memory loss can indicate a serious health problem. Take an active role in taking note of all the information that the doctor provides you and help make decisions about the next steps.
  • Share with the medical staff physically or emotionally stressful events that preceded the loss of memory. Important details include the conflict or anxiety in the workplace or in the home, the strenuous physical activity, or sudden immersion in hot or cold water — anything that may have caused the person alarm or tension.
  • Note accompanying signs or symptoms, such as numbness, weakness, or tremors.
  • Relay key medical information, including any other condition with which the person has been diagnosed. Also we include all the medications you are taking.
  • Write down questions to ask the doctor.Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor about the name of the person. Although people suffering from transient global amnesia can think about and talk about, it is likely that feels severe distress. For transient global amnesia, some basic questions are: What is most likely the cause of these symptoms?What are the other possible causes of these symptoms?What kind of tests do you recommend?It is a treatment that you need now?What are the signs or symptoms should I be looking at in your house?What are the signs or symptoms should prompt a call to 911 or emergency medical help?How soon do you expect the symptoms to improve?What you can expect a full recovery?There are steps to take to prevent a recurrence of this problem?What is the risk of long-term complications of this condition? In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, do not hesitate to ask questions as they occur to you during the appointment.
  • What is most likely causing the symptoms?
  • What are the other possible causes of these symptoms?
  • What kind of tests do you recommend?
  • It is a treatment that you need now?
  • What are the signs or symptoms should I be looking at in your house?
  • What are the signs or symptoms should prompt a call to 911 or emergency medical help?
  • How soon do you expect the symptoms to improve?
  • What you can expect a full recovery?
  • There are steps to take to prevent a recurrence of this problem?
  • What is the risk of long-term complications of this condition?

Write down questions to ask the doctor. Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor about the name of the person. Although people suffering from transient global amnesia can think about and talk about, it is likely that feels severe distress. For transient global amnesia, some basic questions include:

  • What is most likely causing the symptoms?
  • What are the other possible causes of these symptoms?
  • What kind of tests do you recommend?
  • It is a treatment that you need now?
  • What are the signs or symptoms should I be looking at in your house?
  • What are the signs or symptoms should prompt a call to 911 or emergency medical help?
  • How soon do you expect the symptoms to improve?
  • What you can expect a full recovery?
  • There are steps to take to prevent a recurrence of this problem?
  • What is the risk of long-term complications of this condition?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, do not hesitate to ask questions as they occur to you during the appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

The doctor will ask you and the person who suffers from amnesia a series of questions about the symptoms and about the period that leads to the loss of memory.

The doctor may ask a loved one:

  • What is the last thing that you remember?
  • Do you know who you are?
  • Do you know the person who came with you?
  • Do you have any of the symptoms apart from the memory loss?
  • Are you dizzy?
  • Are you having problems with balance or coordination?
  • Do you feel weakness or numbness on one side of your body?
  • You are going to have any vision problems?
  • Do your symptoms include headache?

To determine the degree of memory loss, the doctor can check your loved one in the knowledge of the general information such as the name of the current president and to assess their ability to remember a list of random words.

The doctor may ask you to:

  • When did the person's memory loss to begin?
  • Does the memory loss occur gradually or suddenly?
  • Has something like this ever happened before?
  • What happened just before the loss of memory?
  • It made the experience of an accident that could have hurt your head?
  • Have recently experienced significant stress, conflict, or loss?
  • Have had a seizure because the symptoms began?
  • Have been diagnosed with any other medical condition?
  • Have a history of migraines?
  • Have recently undergone medical procedures or surgery?
  • What medications are you taking, including prescription, over-the-counter drugs, herbs and supplements?
Symptoms and treatment of Transient global amnesia