Brain (Human Brain) Causes of Loss of Memory

 

It is necessary to know what the Human brain is before we talk about anything concerning the brain for a better understanding.

In this post, you are going to  learn the following,

• What the Human Brain Is
• How it Works
• Some Brain Conditions 
• How Information is stored and turned into memories 
• How memories are lost 
• Causes Of memory loss 
• How to prevent Memory loss 
• How to recover lost memories.

What is the Human Brain?

The brain is one of the body's biggest and most complicated organs.

It is made up of about 100 billion nerves that communicate with each other via trillions of synapses.

The brain is made up of a number of specialized sections that collaborate:

• The cortex is the brain's outermost layer. The cortex is where thinking and voluntary actions begin.

• Between the spinal cord and the remainder of the brain is the brain stem. Breathing and sleep are two basic processes that are controlled here.

• The basal ganglia are a group of structures in the brain's core. The basal ganglia sends and receives information from many parts of the brain.

• The cerebellum is located at the brain's base and rear. The cerebellum is in charge of balance and coordination.

The brain is also divided into lobes:

•  the frontal and parietal lobes are in charge of problem-solving, judgment, and motor function, while the parietal lobes are in charge of feeling, handwriting, and body position.
• Memory and hearing are controlled by the temporal lobes, whereas the visual processing system is controlled by the occipital lobes.

The meninges are a layer of tissue that surrounds the brain. The cranium (skull) protects the brain from harm.

For a better understanding of the brain, watch the video below.

How the Brain Works

Chemical and electrical impulses are sent and received by the brain throughout the body. Different signals govern various processes, which your brain decodes. Some cause you to feel fatigued, while others cause you to experience discomfort.

Some messages are preserved in the brain, while others are sent to distant extremities through the spine and the body's enormous network of nerves. The central nervous system relies on billions of neurons to do this (nerve cells).

Some Brain Conditions

Headache: There are many different forms of headaches; some are dangerous, but the majority aren't, and are treated with analgesics/painkillers.

Stroke (infarction of the brain): An patch of brain tissue is suddenly cut off from blood and oxygen, and it dies. Most strokes are caused by a blood clot or bleeding in the brain.

Brain aneurysm: An aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that expands up like a balloon. A ruptured brain aneurysm can result in a stroke.

Subdural hematoma: Bleeding within or under the dura, the skull's lining. A subdural hematoma can cause neurological difficulties by putting pressure on the brain.

Epidural hematoma: Bleeding between the tough tissue (dura) lining the inside of the skull and the skull itself, frequently after a head injury. If left untreated, minor symptoms can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death.

Meningitis: Meningitis is an infection-related inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms include stiff neck, neck discomfort, headache, fever, and drowsiness.

Encephalitis: Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue caused by a viral infection. Symptoms include fever, headache, and disorientation.

Traumatic brain injury: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of a traumatic head injury that causes permanent brain damage. It is possible to have obvious mental impairment as well as more subtle personality and mood changes.

Parkinson's disease: is characterized by the gradual degeneration of nerves in a central part of the brain, resulting in movement and coordination issues. Hand tremors are a frequent early symptom.

Huntington's disease: is a brain ailment caused by hereditary nerve dysfunction. Its symptoms include dementia and difficulties regulating movements (chorea).

What are Memories and How the brain transforms information into Memories? 

Memory is the ability of the brain to encode, store, and recall data or information as needed. It is the process of retaining knowledge over time in order to influence future behavior.

How memories are lost

Memory loss (amnesia) is a type of forgetfulness that occurs often. You can be unable to recall recent events, one or many old recollections, or both.

Memory loss may occur for a brief period of time and then disappear (transient). It may not go away, or it may worsen over time, depending on the source.

In extreme situations, memory loss might make it difficult to carry out daily tasks.

Causes Of memory loss 

Normal aging can lead to a loss of memory. It's common to have difficulty learning new content or to require additional time to recall it. Normal aging, on the other hand, does not result in significant memory loss. Other illnesses might cause memory loss.

Memory loss can be caused by a variety of factors. To figure out what's causing the condition, your doctor will inquire if it started suddenly or gradually.

Many parts of the brain are involved in the creation and retrieval of memories. Memory loss can be caused by a problem in any of these areas.

Memory loss can occur as a result of a fresh brain lesion caused by or occurring after:

• a tumor in the brain
• Treatments for cancer include brain radiation, bone marrow transplantation, and chemotherapy.
• Head trauma or concussion
• When your heart or breathing is halted for an extended period of time, your brain does not receive enough oxygen.
• Infection in the brain or surrounding the brain
• Major surgery or a life-threatening condition, such as brain surgery
• Unknown cause transient global amnesia (sudden, temporary memory loss)
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Hydrocephalus is a condition in which a person's (fluid collection in the brain)
• Dementia caused by multiple sclerosis

How to Prevent Memory Loss

Below are a few ways to improve your memory thereby preventing loss:

• Physical activity should be a part of your everyday routine. Physical activity improves blood flow throughout the body, especially to the brain.
• Keep your mind occupied.
• Make an effort to socialize on a regular basis.
• Organize yourself.
• Sleep well...
• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Take care of chronic illnesses.

How to recover lost memories.

To reawaken an old memory, consider the senses that were active at the time the memory was recorded. Because your perceptions — images, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, thoughts, or feelings — were stored in one part of the brain (the cortex), then bound together as a memory by another part of the brain (the hippocampus), and tagged so the frontal lobes could retrieve the pattern of information later.

You can recover memory by using a trigger from your surroundings (such as hearing a song) or a cue that you produce (such as thinking about your high school graduation). "The more exact the cues for the moments of life you're attempting to remember," Dr. Budson explains, "the more likely you'll have a pattern match and recall an old memory."

Because you won't be able to recollect signals from a long-forgotten memory on the spur of the moment, you'll have to create some. Dr. Budson suggests that you try the following strategies:

• Examine old photos of your house, family, and friends.
• Read a poem you composed or enjoyed reading as a child.
• Hold a piece of vintage clothes that you've kept.
• Read a letter from the past, a personal diary entry, or a newspaper story.
• Listen to an old song that you or a family member enjoyed.
• Prepare a supper that your mother or father used to prepare for you.
• Smell anything that will help you remember something, such as a book, pillow, perfume, or food.
• Pay a visit to a location where you spent your childhood.
• Watch an old film or television show.