Brain fog isn’t a medical condition itself, but rather a symptom of other medical conditions. It’s a type of cognitive dysfunction. It can be described as a feeling of being mentally sluggish and fuzzy. It can be a symptom of other health conditions.
Some people also call it mental fatigue as one may feel disoriented or perplexed, or find it troublesome to focus or put thoughts into words.
Depending on the severity, brain fog symptoms include –
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memory problems
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lack of mental clarity
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poor concentration
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inability to focus
Other brain fog symptoms indicate difficulty with cognitive functions, such as:
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Focusing on a thought or idea
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Recalling things
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Multitasking
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Following conversations
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Paying attention to your surroundings
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Headaches & mental exhaustion
Causes of brain fog –
Numerous factors and health conditions that can cause brain fog include:
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Lack of sleep
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Prolonged stress levels
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Depression
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Dementia
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Perimenopause
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Medication
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Hormonal maladies, such as thyroid disorders
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Chronic health conditions, such as multiple sclerosis
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Nutrient deficiencies, such as a vitamin B12 deficiency
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Viral infections, such as COVID-19.
It is not surprising for brain fog to be caused by a combination of two or three of these factors since they often times go hand in hand.
For example, depression can lead to a lack of sleep or vice versa. Similarly, stress can influence your sleep and prompt depression. Perimenopause may be accompanied by lack of sleep and depression.
How to manage brain fog?
These are some steps you can take to decrease brain fog:
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Get enough sleep: Sleep is important for your brain and body to remove unhealthy toxins that can contribute to brain fog. Try to follow a fixed sleep schedule and make it a point to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Avoid using gadgets before you go to sleep.
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Try new things: Keep your mind engaged with mentally stimulating activities and make an effort to try new things. Try to take a different direction to work, try a different strategy to a task you do regularly, or listen to different music. This can help boost the production of a brain chemical called norepinephrine, which incites the brain.
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Avoid multitasking: Multitasking can drain your energy and lower your productivity, especially if you’re trying to do two activities that require deliberate thought. Instead, try focusing on one thing at a time.
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Work on your memory: If you’re prone to forgetting things, try using different methods to improve your memory. For instance, rhymes, mnemonics, or optical or linguistic cues can help you remember important things. You can also try repetition; if someone tells you their name, saying it back to them can help you remember it.
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Take mental breaks: Make it a point to take a couple of mental breaks during the day, where you don’t think about anything and be in the moment. Simply close your eyes, take a short walk, or look out your windowpane.
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Stay socially active: Participating in social activities can elevate your mood, memory, and cognition.
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Try meditation: Meditation can help reduce stress and relax your brain and body.
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Exercise regularly: Staying physically active can improve your mental health.
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Follow a healthy diet: A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help with memory, cognition, and brain health.
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Avoid alcohol and drugs: These substances can impair your senses and adversely affect your brain.
Brain fog is the uneasy feeling of being spaced out. It can make it difficult for you to focus on the tasks at hand, retain things, or pay heed to what’s going on around you. It can also make you feel out of sorts and unlike yourself.
Discuss your symptoms with us; we will be able to discover what’s causing the brain fog and suggest a treatment plan accordingly.
