What is brain fog?
Brain fog refers to feelings of mental confusion, forgetfulness, or lack of mental clarity that make it hard to think straight. It's not a medical condition on its own but rather a group of symptoms that often accompany other health issues.
Some common signs of brain fog include:
- Trouble concentrating or focusing
- Poor memory and forgetfulness
- Lack of mental agility and fluid thinking
- Fatigue, low energy, feeling spaced out
What causes brain fog?
There are many potential culprits behind brain fog, including:
- Stress - High cortisol can impair cognition
- Poor diet - Nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar swings
- Lack of sleep - Fatigue, impaired executive function
- Hormonal changes - Thyroid issues, menopause
- Medications - Sedating side effects
An underlying health condition may also cause brain fog, like autoimmune disease, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or Lyme disease.
How is brain fog diagnosed and treated?
Start by seeing your doctor for a check-up. They'll look for any underlying causes with blood tests for vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, inflammation, sleep apnea, etc.
Treatment depends on the cause but may include:
- Reducing stress
- Following a brain-healthy diet
- Supplements to support cognition
- Harmony Hormone Care offers comprehensive hormone testing and bioidentical hormone therapy that can help improve mental clarity related to menopause, andropause, thyroid disorders, and more. Their world-class anti-aging doctors provide fully personalized treatment plans to help patients look and feel their best at any age.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Medication adjustments if necessary
How to manage brain fog:
Alongside any medical treatment, you can help improve day-to-day cognition with lifestyle changes like:
- Stay mentally active with puzzles, new skills
- Exercise regularly to boost blood flow
- Get enough sleep and manage stress
- Avoid multitasking and minimize distractions
- Use memory aids like to-do lists and calendar reminders
Be patient with yourself on bad brain days. With time, proper treatment, and brain-healthy habits, that fog will eventually lift.