From time to time, we all experience the feeling that one’s brain is unable to think clearly, especially when having a cold or flu, or one’s thinking became sluggish due to jetlag, or becomes fuzzy for a few hours after taking antihistamine or some other medication. Normally this effect will wear off as you recover from illness, jetlag, or the effects of the medication.
But what if your thinking did not return to normal, or if for no apparent reason your thinking becomes fuzzy or sluggish as if a dense fog has descended on your brain?
What is brain fog?
This cloudy-headed feeling is referred to as mental fog or more commonly as brain fog. Brain fog is characterized by forgetfulness, confusion, and a lack of focus and mental clarity – in essence a lack of clear thinking. Brain fog is not a medical condition but is a term used to describe certain symptoms that can affect one’s ability to think clearly. It refers to a type of cognitive dysfunction that is a symptom of other underlying medical conditions.
Symptoms of brain fog:
Brain fog can manifest differently for different people and is often a cluster of cognitive symptoms that people may experience. The cognitive dysfunction associated with brain fog is characterized by symptoms such as:
- Memory problems and forgetfulness.
- Thinking more slowly than usual.
- Impaired cognitive function.
- An inability to focus.
- Being easily distracted.
- A lack of mental clarity.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Poor concentration.
- Headaches.
- Low energy, or fatigue.
- Low motivation.
- Lack of ideas.
- Feeling “spacey” or confused.
- Finding it hard to find the right word or putting your thoughts into words.
Causes of brain fog:
Brain fog is a symptom that can be caused by various factors such as high levels of inflammation, hormonal imbalances, or chronic stress responses. There is not always a clear answer, but certain medical conditions are associated with brain fog symptoms.
- Chronic stress: Apart from causing several health conditions, for example increased blood pressure and weakening the immune system, chronic stress can also cause mental fatigue, which means when the brain is exhausted it becomes harder to think and focus.
- Hormonal changes: During pregnancy, increased levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen may cause short-term cognitive impairment and affect memory. During menopause, a drop in estrogen levels may cause cloudy thinking and poor concentration, as well as forgetfulness.
- Lack of sleep: Poor quality sleep and sleeping too little can interfere with proper brain functioning and may lead to cloudy headedness and poor concentration.
- Diet: Food sensitivities or allergies may lead to brain fog, as would deficiencies such as vitamin B12, which supports healthy brain function.
- Medications: Certain medications may have brain fog as a known side effect, which may be improved by lowering the dosage or switching to another drug.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions that are associated with changes in blood glucose levels, inflammation, or fatigue (such as chronic fatigue syndrome) can cause brain fog. These conditions include fibromyalgia, anemia, depression, dehydration, migraine, diabetes, viral infections such as COVID-19, neurological conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain injury, as well as autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis.
- Cancer: The treatment of cancer with chemotherapy can lead to brain fog, also known in this instance as “chemo brain”. Cancer affecting the brain can also lead to brain fog.
- Anxiety: People feeling anxious or having anxiety disorders may experience brain fog, as their anxious thoughts may constantly intrude on their thought processes, making it more difficult to think clearly.
- Long COVID-19: Brain fog is a common lingering symptom (amongst others) for people dealing with long-term effects of COVID-19.
Diagnosing brain fog:
A persistent lack of clarity in the brain that does not improve, or worsens, need to be discussed with a doctor. Brain fog usually signals an underlying condition, and the doctor will probably do a thorough physical examination and use diagnostic tools such as blood tests, allergy testing, or looking at what is happening inside the body, such as utilizing X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans, in order to determine the root cause of the brain fog.
Treatment:
Some home treatments may help to alleviate brain fog, such as:
- Getting enough quality sleep can improve cognitive function.
- Keeping a food journal can indicate if your diet contributes to brain fog.
- A healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats – such as Mediterranean-style meals – can assist in improving brain health. Nutrient deficiencies may worsen brain fog symptoms.
- Alleviating chronic stress with stress management techniques such as meditation or yoga may reduce stress and improve brain function.
- Regular exercise is well known to improve brain function.
- Taking mental breaks during the day to give your brain time to rest and build up your mental capacity.
- Spending less time on the computer or cell phone can help to improve brain fog.
- Drinking enough water during the day is important, as dehydration can contribute to brain fog.
- Activities to challenge and stimulate the brain, such as learning a new skill or solving brain puzzles can help to keep the brain active.
- Avoiding drugs, excessive alcohol, and caffeine, as well as to stop smoking can reduce or eliminate brain fog.
- Participating in social activities benefit our moods, thinking, and memory.
Should home treatments not eliminate one’s brain fog, specialized treatment options by a medical practitioner may be required. Treatment options for brain fog due to anxiety may include psychotherapy and antianxiety medications.
Conclusion:
Experiencing brain fog can be very frustrating if it doesn’t stop once the effects of flu, jetlag, or certain medication have worn off. As brain fog can impact one’s quality of life, lingering symptoms should not be left untreated. Relief is possible, by seeking help from a medical practitioner to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.
References:
Strategies for busting up brain fog. Published 14 June 2022. Cleveland Clinic. USA. (www.health.clevelandclinic.org)
What is COVID-19 brain fog and how can you clear it. Published 8 March 2021. Harvard Health Blog. Harvard Medical School. (www.health.harvard.edu)
What to know about anxiety and brain fog. Published online and updated 23 January 2023. MedicalNewsToday. (www.medicalnewstoday.com)
Reasons you may have brain fog. Published online and reviewed 22 June 2021. WebMD. (www.webmd.com)
6 Possible causes of brain fog. Published online and updated 29 April 2022. Healthline. (www.healthline.com)
Brain fog: Solutions to help you improve concentration. Published online. Bangkok Hospital. (www.bangkokhospital.com)
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