Post-Concussion Brain Fog

Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can lead to hormone imbalances. Memory and thinking problems that are similar to brain fog are common in thyroid disorders. Specific nutrients that can play a role in https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/the-connection-between-alcoholism-and-anger/ cognition and memory include vitamin B-12, iron, and Omega-3 fatty acids. A lack of some nutrients, such as magnesium, can also contribute to the development of mood disorders that can also lead to brain fog.

Reducing stress levels and taking time to try to force your mind to relax is another strategy. Exercise is actually crucial for concussion and post-concussion syndrome recovery. The brain needs that supply of oxygen-rich blood reaching it to spark the production of essential chemicals that lead to healing.

What is the outlook for brain fog?

Anxiety disorders can also cause brain fog, according to a review published in March 2016 in Psychological Bulletin. Unfortunately, the aftermath of depression and anxiety brain fog could lead to worse feelings about yourself and make it difficult to reach out for help. Understanding how pregnancy affects cognitive ability requires more research. However, in a study published in May 2014 in the Journal mush brain of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, pregnant and postpartum people did more commonly self-report memory difficulties. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease where lesions on the central nervous system can affect motor function, emotions, cognition, or how clearly you think. People with MS sometimes refer to their brain fog experience as “cog fog” (short for “cognitive fog”).

Monje had been trying to understand the neurobiology behind these chemotherapy-induced cognitive symptoms for decades. Then COVID-19 showed up like a bin-bulaya mehmaan, a major immune-activating virus. “Very quickly, as reports of cognitive impairment started to come out, it was clear that it was a very similar syndrome,” she says. A review published in July 2016 in Menopause noted women going through menopause reported feeling forgetful and having difficulty concentrating. So it seems as you first enter menopause, you may feel more brain fog.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Similarly, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is another condition in which gastrointestinal inflammation can also affect brain function. Alzheimer’s happens when protein plaques build up in a person’s brain. This buildup affects brain functioning, with various cognitive and other symptoms. There is research indicating brain inflammation plays a role in this process. In addition, brain fog and other cognitive symptoms can occur with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), particularly in adults. I fell asleep during my fair share of lectures in college, but chronic fatigue is much different.

There might not be a magic pill to beat brain fog, but with moderate adjustments and a little patience, you can put the odds of a fog-free life in your favor. Have you ever noticed how runners are often dazed and confused after finishing a marathon? Chances are, they’re dehydrated — and you can experience the same side effects if you’re not hydrated throughout your classes, work, and extracurriculars.

Solution: Drink More Water

The Wordle hype may have passed, but the one-word-a-day game and others like Sudoku, crosswords, and even a round of Boggle can get the gears moving and your neural pathways lighting up. Do whatever you are comfortable attempting and build up to more challenging tasks, like a Rubik’s cube, perhaps. Focusing on something for a long period felt like threading a needle with my eyes closed. What food my cat ate; what I was saying halfway through my sentence, struggling to find the words at the tip of my tongue or remember the name of that lady who was in that movie with that guy about that thing. But I had started to feel like a Windows 95 trying to load a 4K video. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Taking time away from regular responsibilities can be incredibly healing. Book in a break where you can rediscover rest, take time out for wonder and enjoy whatever else it is that fills you up. For some, a long weekend away may be enough to recharge the batteries, but for others it may take an extended time away to properly rest, recover and re-centre. Make sure to book in restorative breaks well ahead, so that you don’t get stuck on the treadmill of constant doing. And if it’s not possible to get away, have a proper staycation where you focus on rest, relaxation and doing the things you love.

Studies have shown that maintaining a rich social network not only helps reduce stress during difficult times, it can also enhance intellectual stimulation and improve your brain health. Intermittent fasting is all the rage in the nutrition and weight loss world. But it’s not just beneficial for dropping pounds, calorie restriction and longer periods between meals can also promote neurological health and decrease neurodegenerative diseases . To treat your brain fog and gain back some mental clarity, start with trying to extend the time between the last meal of the day and the first meal of the next day.

These byproducts are thought to adjust our decision-making and provoke us to stop thinking so very hard and gravitate toward more relaxing, low-stress activities. And this might be the human body’s way of protecting itself from burnout. Brain fog affects a variety of mental processes, including memory and concentration. Conditions such as migraine or multiple sclerosis can cause brain fog, while stress, lack of sleep, and diet are also causes. Lack of sleep, and the inevitable fatigue that follows, can be one of the main causes of your brain fog. Optimal rest (which is 7-8 hours per night for most college-aged students) plays a key role in cognitive function.

There are many possible causes of brain fog, and treatment will depend on the cause. Others may benefit from mindfulness meditation, deep breathing techniques, or similar methods to help reduce their stress. In many cases, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can co-occur with anxiety, which can worsen brain fog. Mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder can impact how someone thinks and feels. As a result, people living with MS may experience changes in their ability to make decisions and process and remember information.

New research suggests the stress response may have more to do with directing our attention and prioritizing resources than with generating fear. This can be helpful in all ranges of the anxiety response, especially when striving to capitalize on its benefits. In this Special Health Report, Harvard Medical School doctors share a six-step program that can yield important and lasting results. Together these “super 6” can strengthen your intellectual prowess, promote your powers of recall, and protect the brain-based skills that are essential for full, rewarding, and independent living. From simple and specific changes in eating to ways to challenge your brain, this is guidance that will pay dividends for you and your future.

Don’t let brain fog hold you down

Start with short-term adaptive strategies to manage everyday tasks. Write notes and set alarms so that you don’t miss appointments. Take regular breaks during long projects so you’re better able to maintain focus and finish tasks. You might also try tracking your daily activities, using an app on your phone or just a notebook to figure out what times of day you feel most energetic and clearheaded.

• This symptom is the “fog” in “brain fog.” It refers to your reduced ability to perceive, understand, and think clearly.
• 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’s using workarounds and draining resources to do things that used to be easy.
• In the case of blue light exposure close to bedtime, the blue wavelengths decrease the hormone melatonin that is essential for deep REM sleep.