Can you live with brain fog?
Living with brain fog is a unique challenge. It comes hand-in-hand with many chronic illnesses but isn't always so apparent to those around you. That, in itself, can make it harder to live with and explain. But often, brain fog is simply misunderstood.
If left untreated, brain fog can impact the quality of your life and lead to other conditions such as Parkinson's disease, memory loss, and Alzheimer's disease.
Brain fog can last for weeks, months or longer after a person recovers from COVID-19 illness. It can linger when other symptoms have stopped.
Taking care to stay hydrated can also help improve brain fog. You might know dehydration can affect your physical health, but it can also have negative consequences on your energy level, concentration, and memory.
Anxiety, depression and stress.
Your brain is a computer, and when you have ongoing anxiety, depression and stress, it can really bog down your system and memory. And with stressors like COVID-19 constantly on the brain, it may be difficult to focus on work or even household tasks.
Brain fog can be a symptom of a nutrient deficiency, sleep disorder, bacterial overgrowth from overconsumption of sugar, depression, or even a thyroid condition. Other common brain fog causes include eating too much and too often, inactivity, not getting enough sleep, chronic stress, and a poor diet.
Brain fog in itself is not a mental health issue. However, it is very closely related to mental health as it can be both a symptom of common mental health conditions such as depression or stress, and a cause for others such as anxiety.
Because brain fog is a common symptom of anxiety and chronic stress, it needn't be a cause for concern. It will subside when the body's stress has returned to a healthy level. Yes, brain fog and foggy head can be uncomfortable and interfere with thinking. But, they aren't harmful.
Even in our twenties we might lose our keys or forget the name of someone we just met. And as we age, these moments of forgetfulness happen more often. For women in their late forties and early fifties, the onset of menopause can bring even more brain fog and memory lapses for many women.
From brain fog, fatigue, and frequent headaches, to stroke-like symptoms or a family history of multiple sclerosis or another neurological condition, Lori Hendin Travis, MD, a neurologist at HonorHealth Neurology, says many situations warrant seeing a neurologist.
What is a natural remedy for brain fog?
Getting adequate sleep can go a long way towards curing many cases of brain fog. There are several ways you can improve your sleep: Reduce your caffeine intake. We all seem to run on caffeine, and even though it wakes us up, it could contribute to insomnia, stress, anxiety, and even full-blown panic attacks.
Some of the most common causes of brain fog include fibromyalgia, diabetes, depression, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Antianxiety drugs (Benzodiazepines) ...
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (Statins) ...
- Antiseizure drugs. ...
- Antidepressant drugs (Tricyclic antidepressants) ...
- Narcotic painkillers. ...
- Parkinson's drugs (Dopamine agonists) ...
- Hypertension drugs (Beta-blockers)
Brain fog is the uncomfortable feeling of being spaced out. It can make it difficult for you to focus on tasks at hand, remember things, or pay attention to what's going on around you. It can also make you feel out of sorts and unlike yourself.
Clearing brain fog doesn't have to take months, but it takes more than a couple of hours. Most people need 7-9 hours each night to recharge the brain.
Brain fog isn't a disease, but rather a state of mind. It's the feeling that something isn't quite right, that you aren't as sharp as usual. You have a strange feeling when you have brain fog. Excessive concern, overthinking, visualizing terrible outcomes, and terror are all symptoms of anxiety.
Brain fog is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. It can be due to cognitive decline, cognitive impairment, dementia or it can be due to other issues.
Results. Routine MR imaging revealed no specific macroscopic changes in keeping with brain fog.
Should you see a doctor? Brain fog can be worrisome no matter how you get it. If your symptoms exist for several weeks, you should schedule an appointment with a neurologist for a medical evaluation. Research shows that brain fog can affect some people for months.
Is there a “brain fog test”? Since brain fog isn't a medical condition, there isn't a specific medical test for it. However, because brain fog is commonly caused by hormone and nutrient imbalances, checking for these deficiencies can shed light on why you're feeling so foggy.
Is brain fog a mental illness?
Brain fog in itself is not a mental health issue. However, it is very closely related to mental health as it can be both a symptom of common mental health conditions such as depression or stress, and a cause for others such as anxiety.
Occasional brain fog is normal, especially when a person can identify a clear cause, such as being tired, having a cold, or family stress. However, people should see a doctor if: Brain fog regularly interferes with a person's ability to complete daily tasks. A person has problems with daily functioning.
No matter your age, persistent symptoms of brain fog should be taken seriously. If you're struggling with your thinking or memory, now is the time to seek an evaluation. Finding the root cause of your cognitive problems can help you find the right treatment plan.