If you lose your memory after a blow to the head, you can be left facing a number of potential impacts on various areas of your life. In Dallas, where many people live active lifestyles in a busy urban environment, people sometimes suffer concussions from falls, accidents, or sports-related injuries, to name just a few scenarios.
For Dallas residents, knowing what to expect after a concussion — especially when it comes to memory loss — is essential.
What Is a Concussion, and Why Can It Cause Memory Loss?
A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that usually happens after a direct blow to the head, a sudden jolt, or anything that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. The abrupt movement can disrupt the brain’s normal functioning, which can lead to chemical and cellular changes in different areas — including those responsible for memory.
Memory loss after a concussion can happen for various reasons. The brain is cushioned by cerebrospinal fluid, but when a person takes a blow to the head, the brain can hit the inside of the skull and cause bruising or other damage. The jarring movement might disrupt neural connections that send information between cells, and that can lead to disruptions in memory.
Additionally, the injury can trigger inflammation and other changes that could interfere with a person’s normal brain function. Because of this, the brain might temporarily “shut down” non-essential functions to focus its energies on healing. This shutdown often has an impact on memory recall.
Types of Memory Loss and Symptoms
Memory issues after a concussion can vary depending on how severe the injury is, its exact location, and the person’s overall general health.
Typically, there are two main types of memory loss associated with concussions:
- Retrograde Amnesia: Difficulty remembering events before the concussion, which could be the incident itself or activities for hours, days, or weeks before the injury
- Anterograde Amnesia: Trouble forming new memories, such as remembering recent conversations, keeping track of time, or recalling what they’ve done since the injury
While memory loss is a common symptom of a concussion, it usually appears alongside other symptoms.
Everyone’s experience is different, but common signs often include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Poor attention and concentration
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Mood swings and irritability
- Insomnia
- Excessive sleepiness
These symptoms might appear immediately after a brain injury or develop gradually over a span of hours or days. It’s important to remember that experiencing memory loss doesn’t necessarily indicate any permanent damage. Many people are able to recover with time and proper care.
What Happens in the Brain To Cause Memory Loss?
When the brain experiences trauma, the affected neurons, which are the organ’s communication cells, might temporarily stop working properly. Various changes can cause disruptions throughout the brain, and any one of those changes can lead to a person losing their memory as a result.
The hippocampus is the part of the brain that’s directly responsible for forming and retrieving memories. There’s one on each side, and they’re nestled deep inside the brain. While one would think that means it’s safe from damage when you hit your head, that’s not necessarily true. If the hippocampus encounters any damage, it could cause memory problems.
A concussion can also disrupt the communication pathways between different areas of the brain. This disconnection interferes with the brain’s ability to encode and retrieve memories, which often leads to issues with short-term memory.
Likewise, concussions can trigger an immediate release of neurochemicals. This includes glutamate, which can be toxic to neurons in excessive amounts. The resulting chemical imbalance could affect brain communication, especially in those regions tied to the person’s memory.
Over time, the brain works to restore normal function through a process called neuroplasticity. As the organ heals, new neural pathways are created to compensate for any that were damaged as a result of the concussion.
Recovery From Memory Loss in Texas
There’s no one-size-fits-all method to recover from memory loss after a concussion. The brain is a complicated organ, and there’s still a lot that is not understood about it. What works for one person may not work for someone else, so doctors typically need to create an individualized approach for each patient.
However, there are some general steps a person can take to ease recovery, including:
- Physical and mental rest, with a gradual return to activity as advised by your doctor
- Cognitive rehab therapy, where specialized therapists guide patients through memory exercises to enhance brain function
- Medications as needed to help alleviate symptoms like headaches, anxiety, or sleep problems
- A regular, consistent sleep schedule to give the brain a chance to heal and restore memory
- A healthy diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support brain function, alongside proper hydration since dehydration can worsen concussion symptoms
Everyone’s timeline for recovery is different as well. Minor concussions can heal within a few days, while more severe ones could take months. Some people will regain their memories more quickly; others could experience lingering issues. In some cases, a doctor or neurologist might recommend specific therapies to help support brain healing.
When To Seek Medical Attention For Concussion-Related Memory Loss
After any head injury, it’s best to seek medical attention even if you feel fine. This is especially important if you experience symptoms like memory loss.
Certain warning signs can indicate a more severe injury that requires prompt medical attention, including:
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Repeated episodes of vomiting or nausea
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty walking
- Unusual behavior changes
- Extreme confusion
- Loss of consciousness
These symptoms could be an indication of much more serious complications, such as a brain bleed or swelling, which require immediate treatment.
Contact Our Dallas Personal Injury Attorneys To Discuss Compensation For a Concussion
It can be unsettling to experience memory loss after a concussion, but understanding what causes it and which symptoms to watch for can be the first step toward the road to recovery. With proper care, rest, and support, most people can regain their memory and recover fully from a concussion to return to their regular daily activities.
If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion as a result of someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior, you may be entitled to compensation. You can explore your legal options by consulting a lawyer with experience handling brain injury cases.
At Anderson Injury Lawyers, we are dedicated to protecting the rights and futures of injury victims throughout Dallas and the surrounding areas. We can help you move forward after an accident with the confidence that your case is in qualified hands. Contact our seasoned Dallas personal injury lawyers or call us today at (214) 327-8000 to set up a free consultation today.