Genetic – HealthWasp

Congenital Heart Defect

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:48:07 +0000

People with a congenital heart defect (CHD) suffer from a birth defect to their heart. The defect is in the structure of the heart, and specifically within the vessels. There are many different heart defects, most are caused by issues with blood flowing through the heart in an odd of abnormal way. Obstructions occur and the blood doesn’t get where it needs to go correctly. Other defects work to affect the heart’s normal rhythm and pace. Heart defects are the number one cause of death caused by birth defects. They are also among the most widespread and common birth defects. About 9 babies in 1000 get born with a heart defect. The good news is that a lot of heart defects are not actually going to need treatment. Those that do are typically treated with medicines or with some heart surgery.

Symptoms

The type of symptoms people will see depend on the severity and type of CHD. Some CHDs go undetected due to a lack of symptoms throughout a person’s life, but most symptoms are present right in the beginning. The most common symptoms and signs are a bluish tint to the skin, fingernails, and lips, a heart murmur, shortness of breath or fast breathing, poor weight gain in infants or poor feeding, and fatigue during activity or exercise. Older children with CHDs may get tired easily or become short of breath during physical exertion. Most CHDs cause the heart to work harder than it should, which can eventually lead to heart failure. The Heart and Stroke Foundation provides information about CHD and its symptoms.

Causes

Potential causes of CHD may be either environmental or genetic. They may be a combination of the two factors. Many of the identified causes of CHD are unexpected genetic changes. This includes focal mutations and the addition/deletion of segments of DNA. It’s also possible for specific microscopic abnormalities in chromosomes to cause CHD. Genetics and a person’s heredity can be responsible for some versions of heart defects. A parent who has a CHD may be more likely than other people to have a child with a CHD, although it is rare for more than one child in a family to be born with a heart defect. Women who choose to smoke during pregnancy have also shown a correlation with CHD.

Prevention

During the first trimester of pregnancy and before a woman becomes pregnant are the critical times for preventing a congenital heart defect. Prior to pregnancy, every woman should check to make sure she is immune to rubella. The best way to find out is to be tested, and if no immunity is shown, to be vaccinated. All women should avoid using street drugs during pregnancy. Women should also control their exposure to alcohol, strong chemicals, x-rays, and prescription medications during pregnancy. Women who suffer from seizures or diabetes should also talk with their physicians before attempting to conceive to help minimize or eliminate any risk to the developing fetus. For parents with other children or other familial relations with a CHD may want to look into genetic counseling before making a decision on trying to conceive another child.

Treatment

There is some good news. There are cases where CHD improves without serious treatment, and some defects are tiny and don’t need any treatment whatsoever. Sadly, most cases of CHD are very serious. Treatment will included medication, leading to surgery if that isn’t enough.

Common medications will usually start to try and help the body eliminate water and salts as well as a medication designed to strengthen the heart contractions. Some defects may require surgery to attempt to restore a person’s circulation to a more normal level. The treatment generally depends on the type and severity of heart defect, and also depends on the child ’s age, general health, and size. Most patients prefer catheter procedures over surgery because they are much easier on the body, and because of this they are becoming more common. Catheter procedures involve a needle puncture in the skin where the flexible, thin tube is inserted into an artery or vein. Thus, doctors do not need to operate directly on the heart and thus do not need to open the chest, making the recovery much easier and quicker. Catheter procedures have become the preferred way to repair many simple heart defects. Many patients will have to undergo a lifetime of specialized treatment and cardiac care. It will begin by seeing a cardiologist specializing in children. Following that, they will see a congenital cardiologist later for adults later in life. There are over 1,800,000 adults in the world who have to live with CHD.

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Impacted Tooth

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:44:40 +0000

An impacted tooth is a tooth that does not emerge into the dental arch in the usual time frame. Unless the impacted tooth is extracted surgically, it will remain impacted throughout the person’s lifetime. A tooth may become impacted because of excessive soft tissue, adjacent teeth, a genetic abnormality or a dense overlying bone. If left in the mouth, some impacted teeth can become infected or damage neighboring teeth, leading to numerous oral problems. 9/10 people have at least one wisdom tooth that is impacted.

Symptoms

An impacted tooth can lead to all sorts of symptoms that impact oral hygiene. It can create swelling and redness of the gums in the area around the impacted tooth, and can cause bad breath. An impacted tooth may make it difficult for you to open your mouth. It can create a prolonged and explained jaw ache or headache. It can also cause tenderness or pain of the jaw bone or gums, especially in the area of the impacted tooth. Occasionally the lymph nodes of the neck may swell up, and biting down near or on the area of the impacted tooth might cause an unpleasant taste. There may also be a visible gap in the spot where the tooth did not come through.

Causes

Teeth begin to emerge and pass through the gums during infancy. These are considered baby teeth, and are eventually replaced by permanent teeth. In either case, if a tooth does not emerge, it is called “impacted”. Of all the teeth, it’s usually the wisdom teeth which in turn become impacted, though others can as well. Impacted teeth can be caused in numerous ways. Sometimes the area is overcrowded, and there is no spot for a tooth to come through. For example, the jaw might be too tiny to fit a wisdom tooth. As a tooth tries to emerge, it may become tilted, twisted, or displaced, and unable to come through the gum tissue. This can also result in an impacted tooth. Sometimes a tooth becomes partially emerged, but does not come all the way through. This partially emerged tooth can ensnare plaque, food, and other waste, causing tenderness and inflammation of the gums to occur. This condition is called pericoronitis. Pericoronitis also causes unpleasant mouth odor.

Prevention

Unfortunately, an impacted tooth cannot be prevented. Impacted teeth are very common however, and can be taken care of or removed easily. If the tooth is partially emerged, performing good oral hygiene can help keep the tooth clean and prevent cavities.

Treatment

There are two different ways to deal with an impacted tooth. The first way is through treatment.

An impacted tooth may cause minor irritation, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. It can also be treated by rinsing with warm salt water. Placing a half teaspoon of salt into a cup of water and rinsing can help reduce irritation and inflammation. If an impacted tooth becomes infected, continues to generate pain, or hampers other teeth, even after using salt water or pain relievers, it can be removed by a dentist or oral surgeon. Removing an impacted tooth is a fairly simple procedure that takes around 30 minutes to an hour depending on the severity of the impaction and location of the tooth. Dentists or oral surgeons may use sedation techniques or anesthesia to make sure you are comfortable, although this is not always necessary. During the procedure, your oral surgeon or dentist will make a cut in your gums before removing any bone that limits access to the tooth. They then remove the tooth and close the wound with stitches and pack it with gauze. Following the surgery, your cheeks and jaw may be swollen and you have may have difficulty eating some foods. You will be given multiple gauze pads to change out the gauze and will probably be given prescription pain-killing medication. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons has more information about impacted teeth.

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Oral Cancer

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:43:07 +0000

Oral cancer is a subtype of neck and head cancer. It refers to all cancerous tissue increase situated in the oral cavity. It may occur by extension from a nearby anatomic structure, because of metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by a primary lesion originating in an oral tissue. 90% of oral cancers originate in the tissues that line the lips and mouth, called squamous cell carcinomas (though there are several types of oral cancers). Oral cancer commonly involves the tongue, but also may occur in the cheek lining, lips, gums, or floor/roof of the mouth.

Symptoms

There are early warning signs and symptoms in the mouth that may suggest oral cancer. For example, an ulcer, lump, or skin lesion that does not resolve in two weeks located on the lip, tongue, or in other mouth areas could indicate oral cancer. They are usually small and pale colored, although they may be discolored or dark. There may be a red patch or white patch on the soft tissues of the mouth. It may go unnoticed because it is initially painless, but may develop into severe pain or a burning sensation as the tumor advances. It may be located behind the ear or behind the wisdom teeth. People with oral cancer may have mouth sores which do not heal, tongue problems, or difficulty swallowing. They may have loose teeth or bleeding in the mouth. Sometimes oral cancer can cause an earache. It can cause thickening of the cheek, or a hoarse voice that lasts a long time. It may also make speaking difficult and cause a sore throat. Seniors with oral cancer may have difficulty wearing dentures.

Causes

Oral cancer occurs when the cells in your mouth or on your lips develop mutations in their DNA. While healthy cells would grow, divide, and die, mutations allow cancer cells to divide and grow without dying. This results in an accumulation of cancer cells in the mouth, which can form a tumor. In time, they can spread to other areas of the mouth, the neck, head, and other parts of the body. There are factors that increase the risk of oral cancer. Smoking is a common cause. Unprotected sun exposure and drinking excessive alcohol are also risks that increase the chances of developing oral cancer.

Prevention

It is possible for you to actively work to detect oral cancer early or preventing it entirely. It is important to floss and brush your teeth daily (twice daily preferably). Keeping your mouth clean and healthy improves the immune system and increases the chances that your body will successfully fight off potential cancers. You also want to avoid smoking or chewing any type of tobacco. Drink alcohol responsibly; try to drink 1-2 drinks per day maximum and avoid binge drinking. You also want to limit your exposure to the sun. Repeated exposure increases the risk of cancer on your lips, so use sun protection with proper UV blocking capabilities. Be sure to exercise regularly, as an active and healthy lifestyle will work to boost the immune system and do what it can to help you fight off cancer. A healthy lifestyle includes a healthy diet. Eat cancer-fighting foods like beans, grapes, berries, and tomatoes. Go to your dental hygienist or dentist at least once every 6 months, and conduct a self examination at least once a month. This self examination may take only a few minutes but can help you detect oral cancer early, making it easier to get rid of. The Oral Cancer Foundation has more information and various prevention methods.

Treatment

Oral cancer treatment varies depending on the location and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. You may have to undergo a combination of cancer treatments, or you may need only one type of treatment.

One of the treatments is surgery. This includes surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes in the neck, surgery to remove a tumor, or surgery to reconstruct the mouth. Surgery on the mouth can affect your ability to eat, speak, and swallow, and may affect your appearance. Sometimes radiation therapy is used following surgery, while other times it may be the only treatment required. IT uses high-energy beams to eliminate cancer cells. Other treatment techniques include chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy.

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Irregular Heartbeat

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:40:24 +0000

An irregular heartbeat (also known as an arrhythmia) is any of a heterogeneous and large group of conditions in which there is an abnormal level of electrical activity in the heart. The heartbeat may be too slow (called bradycardia) or too fast (called tachycardia). It can occur in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) or upper chambers of the heart (atria). Most irregular heartbeats are not a life-threatening issue, although some are capable of causing a person to suffer from cardiac arrest. In fact, it can be a common cause of death when someone is heading to a hospital for treatment. There are many different types including Premature Ventricular Contractions (among the most common arrhythmias and occur in people with or without heart disease), Ventricular fibrillation (disorganized, erratic firing of impulses from the ventricles – medical emergency), Heart block (a complete block or delay of the electrical impulse as is travels to the ventricles, causing the heart to beat more slowly), and Bradyarrhythmias (slow heart rhythms).

Symptoms

An irregular heartbeat can be silent and not cause any symptoms, and people can live their entire lives without experiencing any symptoms. A physician can identify an irregular heartbeat during a physical exam through an electrocardiogram or by simply taking your pulse. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, symptoms may involve palpitations (a feeling of skipped heart beats), pounding in your chest, fainting, dizziness, shortness of breath, feeling light-headed, fatigue, chest discomfort, and general weakness. Patients may also suffer a loss of consciousness and mental confusion.

Causes

An irregular heartbeat may be caused by many different factors, including electrolyte imbalances in your blood (such as potassium or sodium), coronary artery disease; injury from a heart attack; changes in your heart muscles; and during the healing process post surgery. It may occur in normal hearts. A slow or fast heart rate does not necessarily mean your heart rhythm is abnormal. Heart rate is also related to activity, anxiety, medications, or other natural causes. An irregular heartbeat may be caused by disorders that damage the heart and its valves, such as rheumatic fever, myocarditis, and endocarditis, or disorders of the thyroid gland. Some drugs, including stimulants, digitalis, and diuretics may also cause an irregular heartbeat, as well as overdoses of anti-depressants or recreational drugs. The risk of an irregular heartbeat increases with smoking, advancing age, kidney disease, high blood pressure, general stress, and an excess consumption of alcohol or caffeine.

Prevention

You can help reduce your risk for irregular heartbeat by engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol, staying away from illegal drugs, and quitting smoking. You may also want to stay away from stimulants used in cold and cough medications. These lifestyle changes are the best way to help prevent an irregular heartbeat from occurring, and are good for your heart and overall health in general. For people who suffer from an irregular heartbeat, there are numerous treatment options available to them.

Treatment

A variety of drugs are available to help treat an irregular heartbeat. Antiarrhythmic drugs help control heart rate and include beta-blockers.

Antiplatelet and therapy drugs decrease the threat of blood clots. In non-emergency situations, an electric shock may be administered to correct an irregular heartbeat. You receive anesthesia and then an electrical shock which synchronizes the heart and helps the normal rhythm restart. If the physician is able to pinpoint certain regions of the heart that are causing the abnormal rhythm, then a catheter ablation (an outpatient procedure) can be performed. This procedure uses radio wave energy to destroy these areas and removes damaged heart tissue. For people who have a dangerously slow heartbeat, a pacemaker may be implanted in the chest. A pacemaker is a small device that works to supply regular electrical triggers into the heart. This helps it speed up when it beats too slowly. In some rare cases, heart surgery may be needed to correct heart disease that could be causing the irregular heartbeat.

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Hemophilia

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:28:11 +0000

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that harms the body’s capacity to control blood clotting, which is used to prevent bleeding caused by a damaged or broken blood vessel. There are many types of hemophilia, each of which causes prolonged bleeding. For example, people who have hemophilia and have a cut will bleed for a longer time than normal. It is usually inherited, and is a lifelong disease, though it can be managed and treated effectively.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms of hemophilia. Excessive bleeding is typically the most common. The amount of bleeding will depend on just how severe the case of hemophilia is. The excessive bleeding can be caused by an accident, a trip to see a dentist, or undergoing surgery. External bleeding signs include bleeding in the mouth from a bite, cut, or from a tooth falling out, nosebleeds caused by no apparent reason, bleeding from a cut that stops but begins again a short period of time, or heavy bleeding from a minor cut. Signs of internal bleeding may include bloody stool (internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines), bloody urine (bleeding in the bladder or kidneys), or large bruises. This bleeding can happen without any external injury. The joint may become hot to touch, swollen, and very painful to bend. Hemophilia can also cause internal bleeding to occur in a person’s brain. This is a very rare but a dangerous complication. It can occur after suffering a blow or strike to a person’s head, and result in long-lasting headaches, sudden weakness, changes in behavior, repeated vomiting, seizures and convulsions. The NHLBI provides more information on the various symptoms of hemophilia.

Causes

The main cause of hemophilia is a deficiency of clotting factors. It is inherited, meaning all patients start life with the disorder at birth. It is caused by a defect in one of the genes on the X chromosome that determines blood clotting in the body. A male who has the hemophilia gene on his X chromosome will suffer from hemophilia, but this is not necessarily the case with females, because they have two X chromosomes. It is extremely rare to have the faulty gene on both chromosomes. A woman can be a carrier however, and pass it on to their children despite not suffering any symptoms herself.

Prevention

Unfortunately, because hemophilia is an inherited genetic disease, it cannot be prevented. People who have hemophilia or women who are hemophilia carriers should talk to their family doctor or health professionals about having a child. If you do have hemophilia, it is important to maintain a healthy body weight to reduce stress on your joints, which can lead to bleeding episodes and chronic pain. You also want to create an exercise plan, preferably with your doctor, which is effective and safe. Regular exercise can strengthen the muscles and joints and prevent bleeding episodes.

Treatment

There is also no cure at this time, although most people suffering from hemophilia live fairly normal lives. The main treatment for hemophilia is replacement therapy.

This therapy consists of clotting factor VIII or IX slowly dripping into a vein (or injected into a vein). Mild hemophilia A is treated with a slow injection into the vein of a hormone which stimulates a release of more clotting factor to prevent excessive and dangerous bleeding. In severe cases of hemophilia A or hemophilia B, the bleeding might only stop after an infusion of clotting factor derived from genetically engineered products or donated from human blood. These infusions help replace a clotting factor that is low or missing. Regular preventive infusions may help stop bleeding as well. Your doctor can train you to perform infusions at work, home, or school. If the internal bleeding has damaged the joints, physical therapy can help them function better.

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Leukemia

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:58:13 +0000

Leukemia is a type of cancer of bone marrow or blood characterized by an abnormal increase of white blood cells. When you have leukemia, your bone marrow generates a lot of leukemia cells, which are irregular white blood cells. These leukemia cells crowd out regular blood cells, causing cancer and other serious problems like anemia, infections, and bleeding. Leukemia can affect people at any age, although about 90% of leukemia cases are diagnosed in adults. The name comes from the Ancient Greek meaning “white blood”. In the United States, there are almost 50 000 new cases of leukemia diagnosed each year, and about 24 000 deaths a year caused by leukemia.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of leukemia vary depending on what type you are diagnosed with. Common symptoms include fever, chills, and night sweats, bone pain or tenderness, headaches, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin, a painful or swollen stomach because of an enlarged spleen, feeling tired or weak, easy bruising, and losing weight. People who have leukemia may also see tiny red spots appear on their skin, and are much more susceptible to suffering from various infections and viruses. The National Cancer Institute has more information about leukemia and the types of symptoms that come with the disease.

Causes

There is no one single known cause for leukemia, or any of its specific types. The few known causes are usually caused by factors beyond a person’s control, and account for only a few cases. Leukemia is caused by mutations in DNA, just like all cancer. Some mutations can trigger leukemia. These mutations may happen as an outcome of exposure to carcinogenic substances or radiation, or may happen spontaneously. There are several risk factors, however, that can increase your chances of getting leukemia. If you are exposed to certain chemicals (like benzene) or large amounts of radiation, if you have genetic problems like down syndrome, if you have undergone specific types of chemotherapy to treat another form of cancer, or if you are a chronic smoker. There are four major types of leukemia: acute myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Prevention

Unfortunately, most cases of leukemia cannot be prevented by lifestyle changes or taking medication. Researchers have been able to identify a few risk factors associated with leukemia, however. Smoking is one of these risk factors. Smoking puts you at risk for many types of cancer, such as acute myelogenous leukemia. Exposure to benzene also increases your risk for leukemia (benzene is a chemical product of petroleum and coal).

Treatment

The type of treatment you need depends on many factors, including the type of leukemia, how far along it is, and your overall health and age. Acute leukemia requires immediate treatment to prevent the rapid advance of leukemia cells.

In most cases, the treatment for acute leukemia makes it go into remission (not completely cured because there is still a chance it may come back). Chronic leukemia is rarely cured, but there is treatment available to help you control the symptoms and the disease. Chemotherapy is the main treatment used for almost all types of leukemia. It uses powerful medicines to eliminate cancer cells. Radiation treatments are also used. It uses high dose X-rays to shrink an enlarged spleen or swollen lymph nodes, and remove cells affected by cancer. Stem cell transplant can also be used. Stem cells boost your immune system and restore your supply of normal blood cells. Often chemotherapy or radiation is used first to make room for the new stem cells by destroying cells in the bone marrow. Other treatment options include biological therapy, which uses special medicines to improve the body’s natural defenses against cancer, and clinical trials.

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Blood Clot

contributor — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 19:59:45 +0000

A blood clot (also called a thrombus) is created by the body as a normal response to a damaged blood vessel. The main purpose of a blood clot is to seal the link in the broken blood vessel. This protects the person from bleeding and stops blood from leaking out. Blood clots can be hurtful however, especially when they block arteries and stop oxygen and blood from flowing to vital organs. Clots that block blood flow are responsible for most strokes and heart attacks.

Symptoms

Blood clots can cause a heart attack, and can cause all the symptoms associated with a heart attack, including pain in the chest, back, left arm, and jaw. It may also include tightness in the chest, nausea, shortness of breath, and fainting. Blood clots can also result in a stroke. This may result in a loss of feeling on one side of the body, including the face, leg, and arm. In the case of Deep Vein Thrombosis, a blood clot may cause serious pain, redness, swelling, and a warm sensation over the affected area. DVT usually occurs in the leg and can lead to serious complications. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has more information about symptoms of a blood clot, and how to prevent and treat it.

Causes

There are many different reasons behind a blood clot forming. An irregular heartbeat can lead to a blood clot, as the irregular pumping can cause blood to remain and clot in the heart chamber. Blood clots can also form in a narrowed artery, which can tear over time, allowing the clot to completely block the artery, causing serious health complications. Blood clots can also form in people who have had recent surgery, who take hormone supplements (including birth control), have a broke bone, are over 65, are confined to bed or have a serious lack of mobility, have bad veins, have a family history of blood clotting or have had a blood clot before, have heart trouble, and have taken a long trip (such as on an airplane or in a car).

Prevention

There are ways to prevent blood clots from forming. It is important to stay healthy and exercise frequently. You may want to wear loose-fitting clothing, and change your position constantly, especially if you are taking a long trip in a car or on an airplane. Try to avoid standing or sitting for more than 1 hour at a time. Eat less salt, do not use pillows under your knees, and raise the bottom of your bed to help influence blood flow. Prevention of blood clots is the best way to deal with the problems of stroke and heart disease. Lifestyle changes can help with this. Controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, and avoiding high consumption of caffeine and alcohol are all ways to improve your lifestyle and prevent clotting, as well as other serious health risks.

Treatment

Treatment for blood clotting usually comes in the form of medication. This medication can prevent the clot from worsening, or moving to affect other organs or the lungs.

There are several popular blood-thinning medications. They thin the blood which helps reduce the risk of clotting. Some can also be used as a long-term treatment to help stop new blood clots from forming. To relieve discomfort and mild inflammation, the affected area should be kept warm and elevated. Moist packs should be applied to the area for 15 minutes at a time, and should be done so multiple times throughout the day. If the symptoms and inflammation last for over a couple of days, it is important to see a physician as soon as possible. Blood clotting can also be caused by an infection, and this can usually be cured by antibiotics. In rare cases, surgery may be required to remove the inflamed portion of the vein.

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Amnesia

contributor — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 17:18:31 +0000

Amnesia is the loss of memory, caused by disease, brain damage, or psychological trauma. It is usually permanent, but can be caused temporarily by the use of hypnotic drugs and various sedatives. Depending on the extent of damage that was caused, the memory may be either partially or totally lost. People who have amnesia can generally recall immediate information, and sometimes can still form new memories. There is a severe reduction in the ability to retrieve old information however, as well as in the ability to learn new material. Sometimes a person may lose only a couple of months of memory, while others may have memory loss that extends back decades.

Symptoms

There are two main features of amnesia: the impaired ability to recall previously familiar information and past events (called retrograde amnesia), and the impaired ability to learn new information (known as anterograde amnesia). Most people who suffer from amnesia have difficulties with short-term memory. Deeply ingrained memories may be spared, while recent memories are more likely to be lost. For example, a person may be able to name past presidents, but forget what they had for breakfast in the morning. Sometimes this affects their ability to retain new information. Amnesia usually does not affect a person’s ability to write, speak, or communicate in any way, and people with amnesia usually understand that they have a memory disorder. Other symptoms of amnesia may include confusion or disorientation, false recollections (possibly made up of past memories misplaced in time, or completely invented), and neurological problems such as tremors or uncoordinated movements. Johns Hopkins Medicine offers more information on amnesia and its various symptoms.

Causes

There are three categories in which a person can acquire amnesia: head trauma, traumatic events, and physical deficiencies. Head trauma is a very broad range and it deals with any kind of active action or injury toward the brain which might cause amnesia. This includes hitting the head during a fall or car accident, or any kind of physical blow to the head that may damage the brain. Traumatic events are much more subjective. They depend entirely on the individual and what that person experiences. A traumatic event is an event where something is so distressing the mind decides to forget the event entirely rather than deal with the stress the event brings. This may include a violent car crash or disturbing childhood memory. Instead of dealing with the difficulties the particular event brings, the brain decides to block it off completely. Physical deficiencies are similar to head trauma, although they lean more toward passive physical issues as opposed to physical blows. Other possible causes of amnesia include brain inflammation, stroke, tumors in the areas of the brain that control memory, long-term alcohol abuse, and degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Prevention

Amnesia is caused by some kind of damage to the brain. Thus, it is important to take steps to reduce the risk of brain injury. While driving, make sure to always wear a seat belt. When riding a bike or motorcycle, always wear a helmet. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any symptoms that suggest a brain aneurysm or stroke, and treat any infection right away to make sure it doesn’t spread to the brain. While some causes of amnesia cannot be prevented (such as experiencing traumatic events), the risk can be reduced by following proper safety measures.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there are no medications available at the moment for treating most types of amnesia. While some forms of amnesia fix themselves, others will never go away.

Thus, individuals with amnesia need to develop ways to cope with memory loss. One of these ways is through occupational or cognitive therapy. Therapy will help patients develop any memory skills they might still have and try to regain some they may have lost. Amnesiacs do this through various techniques that help create new retrieval paths and retrieve memories. This includes implementing strategies for organizing information, such as using a digital device to keep track of day-to-day tasks. Low-tech memory aids like notebooks, photographs, and calendars can also help with memory.

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