Brain fog is not a condition or an ailment, but it is a symptom of another medical condition. Brain fog is quite common among people and most individuals describe it as forgetfulness, feeling cloudy, difficulty focusing, and struggling to think and communicate.(1)
This symptom can also be caused by numerous other factors such as a lack of sleep or fatigue, dehydration, stress, hormonal changes, and diet.(2)
A lack of sleep or fatigue can be due to medical conditions such as insomnia or sleep apnoea which will decrease your sleep duration and sleep quality. Sleep is critical for your brain to absorb and store information properly. A lack of sleep reduces your brain’s ability to absorb new information and convert it so that it forms part of your long-term memory. (3) Due to this you might start experiencing brain fog when trying to concentrate.
Water is a crucial component for brain function, and this is because it helps to remove toxins from the brain, and it improves nutrient transport to the brain. If you are dehydrated by as little as 2% of what your body and brain require, you will have a negative impact on attention, concentration and immediate memory skills.(4) Thus, dehydration can be one of the leading causes of brain fog.
Stress can change your overall brain size and function. The stress hormone cortisol can cause your hippocampus to deteriorate and your prefrontal cortex to shrink. These parts of the brain help to form memories and regulate concentration levels.(5)
Brain fog due to hormonal imbalances can especially be seen in females during their periods, pregnancy or when they are nearing menopause. Too much progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy or too low levels of progesterone and estrogen during menstruation or menopause can also result in brain fog.
Numerous diet factors could lead to brain fog including irregular mealtimes, blood sugar levels, food additives, food allergies and sensitivity.(6) By keeping a food diary it will be easier to track and check which types of food result in brain fog.
Other medical conditions that may result in brain fog are anaemia, depression, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, lupus, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Even covid 19 has been seen to cause brain fog as studies have shown covid 19 infections correlate with cognitive impairment.(7) Treatment for brain fog will depend on the condition, for example if it is due to anaemia, treatment will include iron supplementation or autoimmune diseases will require corticosteroids or NuHuman’s Anti-Flam.(2)
Home remedies can also be an option to reduce brain fog. Getting between 7 and 8 hours of sleep is crucial for optimal brain functioning. Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine. Daily physical exercise and brain exercises such as finger aerobics will help improve brain function. Improving or maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is also a key factor.(2)
There are a few testing options to help determine the cause of brain fog and an appropriate treatment option ,especially if you are experiencing other symptoms, such as blood tests, allergy tests or a sleep study. (2)
Brain fog is part of most of our lives, however, it does not have to be if you create a healthy environment focusing on the factors mentioned above.
