What is Temporary, Partial, or Short-Term Memory Loss After a Brain Injury?
The terms temporary memory loss, partial memory loss, and short-term memory loss after a head trauma refer to the same thing:
You’re having difficulty remembering information you’ve just learned. You may notice:
- Frequently asking the same question
- Forgetting recent conversations
- Misplacing items regularly
- Relying on notes and apps to remember details and information
- Difficulties following instructions
- Disorientation and brain fog
- Inability to concentrate
- Headaches, tiredness, and fatigue
These symptoms of memory loss from a TBI may remind you of conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia. However, those conditions cause permanent symptoms, while memory loss after a head trauma tends to be temporary.
Read this post for more information on traumatic brain injury symptoms.
How Does Short-Term Memory Loss After a TBI Occur?
Brain trauma and memory loss is not uncommon. There are a few ways that a TBI can produce memory loss.
The most common cause of memory loss is from a head injury—some form of a blow to the head. It causes inflammation, swelling, and reduced blood flow in the affected area. This physical trauma can damage multiple parts of the brain associated with the creation and retrieval of memories.
More specifically, the temporal lobe of the brain is in charge of storing memories, and the hippocampus, which is contained within this region, helps retain new information. If this area is damaged by the TBI, temporary memory loss (or even long-term memory loss) can occur.
A TBI can also cause a chemical imbalance, which can result in the loss of memory or even temporary post-traumatic amnesia.
It’s also worth mentioning that medication memory loss is becoming more common, especially in older individuals who often mix multiple types of treatments.
Depression and anxiety are also known causes of short-term memory loss after a head injury, as well as confusion, difficulties concentrating, and other cognitive symptoms.
Brain Trauma and Memory Loss: TBI Treatment Options
First, there are a number of medications doctors can prescribe to help patients with thinking, language, and other thought processes that can be negatively impacted by their injury.
Exercise is also important. The brain consumes almost 20% of your body’s oxygen, so increasing blood flow to this vital organ can help accelerate its healing process. It has been proven to improve circulation and reduce inflammation across the body by opening up our veins and arteries, increasing blood flow, and delivering oxygen to injured tissue. This, in turn, can help improve brain fog and other symptoms related to TBI short-term memory loss.
Cognitive rehabilitation can also help you recover from brain trauma and memory loss. This consists of exercises that promote the usage of memory functions, retraining the brain and improving memory.
It’s important to note that cognitive rehabilitation may only be available in specialized clinics, and it requires a significant investment of time and energy. If you or a loved one has to undergo this type of treatment, it’s important to have enough resources to cover your expenses.
Getting Better Care Faster
A new framework for diagnosing brain injuries has been created by a coalition of neurologists, TBI researchers, TBI patients, and members of the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
This framework allows for a more in-depth diagnosis of TBIs. In the past patients would be told they don’t need an MRI because their TBI is mild. The new system utilizes blood tests to identify patients who need more advanced imaging. This will allow for people who are experiencing brain trauma after an accident to get care right away instead of being sent away and waiting as symptoms persist.
CBI-M, the new framework, will help ensure better results for our clients not only as they navigate their recovery journey but in the courtroom. We now have access to a more powerful system.
TBI Symptoms Often Go Unseen
Brain injury and memory loss can be a scary thing and often it can be overlooked.
Getting the right treatment plan starts with having the right TBI assessment technology to properly diagnose a brain injury after an accident. The reality is that many traumatic brain injuries are “invisible,” and symptoms like memory loss, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating may not appear until weeks or even months later.
When symptoms are delayed, they’re frequently dismissed or disconnected from the original accident. This can prevent individuals from receiving timely care and the support they need to recover.
Our team understands how critical it is to work with experienced medical providers who are experts in brain injuries. We collaborate closely with your medical team to help support you as you receive the best possible care, access advanced diagnostic tools, and build a clear medical picture of your injury. When symptoms go unseen, proper documentation and expert evaluation matter—not only for recovery, but for proving the real impact of your injury.
Your symptoms are real, and so is their impact. We see it every day, and we know how important it is to make sure they’re taken seriously.
Get the Compensation You Need to Focus on Recovering
Brain trauma and memory loss after a head injury, whether temporary, partial, or permanent, can be terrifying. It’s important to stay positive and focus all your attention on making a full recovery from any form of post-concussion amnesia.
That’s difficult to do while worrying about how you’ll pay for treatment.
If your brain injury was caused by the actions or negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. At Brain Injury Law of Seattle, our team of attorneys specializes in helping TBI victims get the compensation they need to cover:
- Lost wages
- Property damages
- Medical bills
- Additional expenses
Contact us today to learn more about how our attorneys can help you if you have experienced memory loss after a brain injury.
