Regaining memory after brain surgery will depend on whether the memory loss is caused by temporary swelling or the removal of brain cells responsible for your memory. The side-effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy can include memory loss and cognitive difficulties.
While there is no specific or instant 'cure' for memory problems, recovery can naturally occur as the brain heals over time.
The loss of memory from the moment of TBI onward is called post-traumatic amnesia. It can last from a few minutes to several weeks or months, depending on the severity of brain injury. If you can't remember the events of your TBI, you likely never will. That's because your brain did not store those memories.
Treatment for memory loss depends on the cause. In many cases, it may be reversible with treatment. For example, memory loss from medications may resolve with a change in medication. Nutritional supplements can be useful against memory loss caused by a nutritional deficiency.
Cholinesterase inhibitors are the first choice of treatment for memory loss. The doctor may also prescribe the single-dose drug combination Namzeric to treat moderate to severe memory loss.
A new study has found that many people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI) achieve favorable outcomes over the course of their first year of recovery, moving from a deep coma to being able to live independently for at least eight hours per day within a year.
A plethora of complications from traumatic brain injuries, ranging from minor cognitive delays to debilitating and life threatening symptoms such as seizures and coma, can follow the victim for years after the injury. You need to know that brain injury recovery time can take anywhere from a few weeks to ten years.
Head injuries that cause a concussion, whether from a car accident or sports, can lead to confusion and problems remembering new information. This is especially common in the early stages of recovery. Mild head injuries typically don't cause lasting amnesia, but more-severe head injuries may cause permanent amnesia.
Memantine (Namenda) is approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It works by regulating the activity of glutamate, a messenger chemical widely involved in brain functions — including learning and memory. It's taken as a pill or syrup.
Some people recover well after brain surgery, but this can take some time. Other people have some problems, or long term difficulties. The problems you may have depends on the area of the brain where the tumour was (or still is if you only had part of the tumour removed).
30-80% of patients experience memory loss immediately after surgery. Fortunately, many patients recover. Only 10%–60% continue to have problems several months after open heart surgery.
Postoperative delirium in seniors may not be noticeable until a day or two after surgery is complete, but once it hits, you may experience confusion, disorientation, or have problems with your memory or attention span. This delirium comes and goes, but in most cases, it does not last longer than a week or two.
Omega-3 fatty acids: These nutrients are known for improving overall brain health and promoting neurogenesis: the process of creating new neurons in the brain. They can be found in fatty fish like salmon and certain nuts and seeds like flaxseed. They offer a straightforward way to help heal brain damage naturally.
Brain damage may be temporary or permanent and recovery can be prolonged. Concussion — a type of mild TBI that may be considered a temporary injury to the brain but could take minutes to several months to heal.
Though there is evidence to suggest that people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia are often deficient in this vitamin, studies have found that taking supplements or increasing dietary vitamin B12 does not improve memory function in those living with the disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
B vitamins like B6, B12, and B9 (folic acid) all play a role in brain health.
Crosswords, word-recall games, Tetris, and even mobile apps dedicated to memory training are excellent ways to strengthen memory. A study that included 42 adults with mild cognitive impairment found that playing games on a brain-training app for 8 hours over a 4-week period improved performance in memory tests ( 23 ).
A curved seahorse-shaped organ on the underside of each temporal lobe, the hippocampus is part of a larger structure called the hippocampal formation. It supports memory, learning, navigation and perception of space. It receives information from the cerebral cortex and may play a role in Alzheimer's disease.
Studies in people
They found that general anaesthesia was associated with higher risks of dementia. The older the person when they had surgery the more likely they were to have a higher risk of dementia. The researchers suggested that older brains could be less resistant to damage caused by anaesthesia.