Can epilepsy make you lose your memory?

Many people with epilepsy also experience memory problems. Patients often experience retrograde amnesia, where they cannot remember what happened immediately before their seizure.

Is memory loss after a seizure permanent?

You may have difficulty remembering information straight after a seizure. This is sometimes called post-ictal confusion and it usually goes away once you have recovered. The length of time it takes for memory to return to normal can vary from person to person.

How long before memory comes back after seizure?

One study found that memory generally recovered about an hour after a seizure; however, note Fisher and Schacter in a 2000 review, “This does not explain why a considerable number of patients say they have trouble thinking for many hours or even days.” The duration of other post-ictal symptoms appears to vary widely.

How can epilepsy improve memory?

There are two general approaches:

1. An indirect approach – improving memory by focusing on other factors such as seizure control.
2. A direct approach – treating your memory either with medication or with strategies to change behaviors and how people remember things.

Does epilepsy damage the brain?

Prolonged seizures are clearly capable of injuring the brain. Isolated, brief seizures are likely to cause negative changes in brain function and possibly loss of specific brain cells.

What should epileptics not do?

Tips:

• Do not miss doses of your medications.
• Get plenty of sleep. #
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat a healthy balanced diet and do not skip meals.
• Try to reduce stress and control anxiety.
• Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. #
• Certain people with epilepsy should avoid flashing lights.

Does epilepsy cause dementia?

People with epilepsy develop Alzheimer’s disease at a rate 6 times higher than the non-epileptic population, and seizures can damage the memory centers of the brain and contribute to dementia.

What vitamin is good for memory support?

Like vitamin D, vitamin B12 has so many mental benefits. Getting enough vitamin B12 may give you more energy, improve memory, and make learning new things easier.