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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Because damage to the brain can be a root cause of amnesia, it's important to take steps to minimize your chance of a brain injury. For example:

  • Avoid excessive alcohol use
  • Wear a helmet when bicycling and a seat belt when driving
  • Treat any infection quickly so that it doesn't have a chance to spread to the brain
  • Seek immediate medical treatment if you have any symptoms that suggest a stroke or brain aneurysm, such as a severe headache or one-sided numbness or paralysis
References
  1. Amnesias. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec16/ch210/ch210c.html. Accessed July 30, 2009.
  2. Simon RP, et al. Disorders of cognitive function. In: Simon RP, et al. Clinical Neurology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5143601. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
  3. Davis PH. Transient global anemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 30, 2009.
  4. Heilman KM. Evaluation and management of amnesic disorders. In: Noseworthy JH. Neurological Therapeutics: Principles and Practice. London, New York: Martin Dunitz; 2003. library.mayo.edu/ebook-noseworthy/266_Neuro_XIV.pdf Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
  5. Ropper AH, et al. Diseases of the nervous system caused by nutritional deficiency. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3639886. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
  6. Miller BL, et al. Memory loss. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2885255.
  7. Woodruff BK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Aug. 5, 2009.

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Oct. 10, 2009

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