We all forget things like people’s names and where we left our keys, which can frustrate us. Our memory holds so much information that it is not surprising that it can sometimes let us down. It has two parts: short-term memory and long-term memory.
We use our short-term memory to remember information for a short time, a few seconds or minutes. It is then forgotten. We use long-term memory to store and hold details for a long time. Usually, we can find these memories as we need them. However, epilepsy patients often have memory difficulties.
Causes of epilepsy
Some people have epilepsy due to causes like damage to the brain from a head injury or infection. If part of the brain that deals with memory is damaged, this could lead to some memory loss. People with temporal lobe epilepsy often have memory problems. Let us discuss its causes:
Seizures
A person’s memory can be affected before, during and after a seizure. Changes in the brain before a seizure can mean information is not processed well enough to pass to our long-term memory. Awareness can also be affected during a seizure. This means people have little or no recollection of what has happened.
Epilepsy medications
Many people worry that the medication they take for their epilepsy causes poor memory. The side effects of some medications (for example, poor concentration and drowsiness) can affect your memory. However, your memory will be improved if the drugs stop or lower the number of seizures you have. Avoid stopping your medication without a doctor's advice.
Mood
Research shows that people with epilepsy are more likely to be depressed or anxious. If these feelings overload our brains, we can become distracted and unable to focus on information. In turn, this will affect our memory.
Lack of sleep
Memory improves when well-rested. This is because tiredness makes people less able to concentrate, learn, and store new information. Lack of sleep can also trigger seizures.
How do you improve memory?
People with epilepsy will have extra information to remember, like taking tablets, noting seizure triggers and medical appointments. If you know you are forgetful, there are many things you can do to help you remember and learn how to increase memory power, such as:
1. Learning an instrument
Playing the piano or guitar improves coordination, memory, and creativity. There are many online courses and apps to help you get started.
2. Playing puzzles
Engaging in puzzles, such as Sudoku, crosswords, and strategy games, is fun and beneficial for your brain. They challenge your problem-solving skills and keep your mind sharp.
3. Learning a new language
Mastering a new language is an excellent brain workout. It boosts memory, improves cognitive abilities, and increases cultural awareness.
Thanks to numerous apps and web-based programs, individuals can learn at a pace which suits them while achieving their learning goals. You can also practise concepts like association and visualisation to improve your memory.
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