Possible Causes of Brain Fog
Introduction
But why is this happening and is it something to worry about?
What is brain fog?
"Brain fog is not a disease or disorder, but a set of symptoms that include general fatigue and cognitive incompetence, such as low concentration and difficulty in memory." Patients often describe the experience of having a cloud inside their heads that "makes it difficult for them to focus on everyday tasks."
You've probably heard more fog in the brain these days - especially for those recovering from COVID-19 - or at least have experienced symptoms. Typical symptoms of brain fog include poor concentration, extra effort to focus on a task, difficulty performing multiple tasks or managing many tasks simultaneously, difficulty tracking what you're doing (for example, "Why did you just enter this room?"), and a problem with memory or information retrieval.
Related topic: What to Know About COVID-19 and Brain Fog
What are the causes of brain fog?
To better understand the causes and when you should be concerned, here's an analysis of the possible causes of brain fog.
1. Stress
Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, weaken your immune system and stimulate depression. It can also cause mental fatigue. When your mind is exhausted, thinking, mind, and focus become more difficult.
2. Lack of sleep
Poor sleep quality can also interfere with the quality of your mind's functions. Aim to sleep 8 to 9 hours every night. Lack of sleep can lead to poor concentration and blurry thoughts.
3. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes can also lead to brain fog. Levels of progesterone and Estrogen hormones increase during pregnancy. This change can affect memory and cause short-term cognitive impairment.
Similarly, low Estrogen levels during menopause can cause forgetfulness, poor concentration, and blurry thinking.
4. Diet
Diet can also play a role in brain fog. Vitamin B12 supports healthy brain function, and vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to brain fog.
If you have allergies or food allergies, brain fog may develop after eating certain foods. Potential perpetrators include:
- Aspartame.
- Peanuts.
- Albanians.
Removing stimulating foods from your diet may improve symptoms.
5. Medications
If you notice a fog in your brain while taking the drug, talk to your doctor. Brain fog may be a known side effect of the drug. Reducing your dose or switching to another drug may improve symptoms.
Brain fog can also occur after cancer treatments. This is referred to as the chemical brain.
6. Medical conditions
Medical conditions associated with inflammation, fatigue, or changes in blood glucose level can also cause mental fatigue. For example, brain fog is a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome, which involves constant fatigue for more than six months.
People with fibromyalgia may experience similar fog daily.
Other conditions that may cause brain fog to include:
- Anemia.
- Depression.
- Diabetes.
- Sjogren's syndrome.
- Migraine.
- Alzheimer's.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
How it’s diagnosed?
See your doctor if you have a persistent lack of clarity that gets worse or not. One test cannot diagnose brain fog. Brain fog may indicate a fundamental problem, so your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about:
- Mental health.
- Diet.
- Level of physical activity.
- Current medications or supplements.
You should tell your doctor about other symptoms you may have. For example, a person with hypothyroidism may experience a brain fog with hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, or nail bombing.
Blood work can help your doctor determine the cause of brain fog. A blood test can reveal:
- Abnormal glucose levels.
- Impaired liver, kidney, and thyroid functions.
- Food shortage.
- Infections.
- Inflammatory diseases.
Based on the results, your doctor will determine whether further investigation should be conducted. Other diagnostic tools may include intrabody imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans. Your doctor may also take an allergy test or sleep study to check for a sleep disorder.
Keeping a food diary can help you determine whether your diet contributes to brain fog.
What can you do to clear the fog?
Brain fog treatment depends on the cause.
For example, if you have anemia, iron supplementation may increase red blood cell production and reduce brain fog. If you are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, your doctor may recommend using corticosteroids or another drug to reduce inflammation or suppress your immune system.
Sometimes, relieving brain fog is a matter of correcting food deficiencies, switching medications, or improving the quality of your sleep.
Brain fog treatment often depends on the root cause, but there are some things you can do at home to keep your mind sharp and more alert. These include:
- Participate in activities that increase alertness, energy, and brain strength, such as regular exercises and meditation, or experience activities such as crossword puzzles and sudoku or work on a puzzle.
- Get plenty of sleep: Sleeps 8 to 9 hours every night
- A diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains.
- Manage stress by knowing your limits. For example, completing tasks one by one, making checklists to make sure you remember completing all aspects of the task, and assigning reminders of important upcoming events can help relieve pressure on your mind.
Should I get help?
If you're feeling more blurry these days and nothing seems to help clear your mind - in fact, things seem to get worse - call your doctor right away.
"Doctors can provide treatment for conditions usually related to brain fog and can also make sure that what you feel is a "brain fog" rather than another condition," Dr. Funes said. "For example, we may sometimes feel blurry or have difficulties in cognition if we are deficient in some important vitamins and minerals. Cognitive symptoms can sometimes indicate the greater difficulty that can be identified by a specialist working with patients with cognitive difficulties. So, it's important to follow up with your doctor."
Conclusion
Brain fog can be frustrating, but comfort is possible. Don't ignore your symptoms. If left untreated, brain fog can affect your quality of life. Once the underlying cause is addressed, the serenity of your mind can improve.
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