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Understanding The Brain Fog: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment Strategies!

Written by:

Lalita Vishwakarma

20 Mar 2024

10 min

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Hello readers! Have you ever faced a situation where you remember a thing or name but are still not able to spell it as it suddenly washed out of your mind? If so, then you are experiencing one of the most common yet annoying symptoms of “The Brain Fog”.

Although brain fog itself is not a medical condition, it is a significant result of other health conditions like dementia, insomnia, depression and other mental problems.

It got attention when the COVID-19 pandemic hit millions of people around the world. Individuals who recovered from this infection started experiencing brain fog symptoms.

Since then, scientists started researching more about Brain fog's symptoms and treatment methods. Here, we have explained everything about the brain fog. Read on to know more!

Table Of Contents

What Is A Brain Fog?

What Are The Causes of Brain Fog?

What Does The Brain Fog Feel Like?

How Long Does The Brain Fog Last?

How To Cure Brain Fog?

The Final Say

FAQs

References

What Is A Brain Fog?

It is a condition in which you experience poor mental health, confusion, forgetfulness, a lack of focus and problems in memorising things. There are many factors that can lead to this situation, like sleep disturbance, stress, spending too much time on the screen, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, menopause and much more.

Although there is no such permanent cure for brain fog, you can do things to prevent the frequent occurrence of it. Maintaining a healthy diet and working on your physical health by doing exercises can help reduce the symptoms.

Also Read: 7 Best Habits For Brain Health And Mental Well-Being

What Are The Causes of Brain Fog?

The major causes of brain fog include:

Possible Cause	Description	Example
Hormonal Changes	Menopause and pregnancy can cause confusion, disorientation, and forgetfulness.	Difficulty concentrating, forgetting simple tasks.
Diet Challenges	Deficiencies in B12, iron, or gluten sensitivity can cause brain fog.	Low energy levels, difficulty thinking clearly.
Medications	Certain medications can have side effects like brain fog.	Difficulty finding words, feeling mentally foggy.
Chemotherapy	Chemotherapy can cause thinking problems.	Difficulty concentrating, memory problems.
Medical Conditions	Many medical conditions can cause brain fog, including hypothyroidism and COVID-19 long-haul symptoms.	Fatigue, difficulty remembering things.

What Does The Brain Fog Feel Like?

Well, if you have brain fog, you face difficulty in concentrating and memorising anything, plus you get exhausted and frustrated more frequently. You can also experience the following brain fog symptoms:

How Long Does The Brain Fog Last?

The duration of brain fog depends on the underlying cause. Here's a breakdown based on the causes mentioned in the table:

Hormonal Changes: Brain fog related to pregnancy typically resolves after childbirth. For menopause, brain fog can linger for months or even years, although some women experience improvement with hormone replacement therapy.

Diet Challenges: Brain fog caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies can improve within weeks or months after addressing the deficiency. Brain fog due to gluten sensitivity can improve after eliminating gluten from the diet.

Medications: If brain fog is a side effect of medication, consult your doctor about possible alternatives or managing the side effects.

Chemotherapy: Chemo brain can persist for months or even years after treatment ends.

Medical Conditions: The duration of brain fog caused by medical conditions depends on the specific condition and its treatment. For instance, brain fog due to hypothyroidism can improve with medication, while the trajectory of brain fog from long-haul COVID is still being researched.

Also Read: 18 Best Brain Foods To Boost Your Mental Health!

How To Cure Brain Fog?

If you're experiencing brain fog, the treatment you need will depend on the underlying cause. For instance, if you have anaemia, your doctor may recommend iron supplements to boost red blood cell production and reduce brain fog.

If you've been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids or other medications to reduce inflammation and suppress your immune system. In some cases, relieving brain fog may involve addressing a nutritional deficiency, changing medications, or improving your sleep quality.

There are also things you can do at home that may help relieve brain fog. For example:

Tips	Description
Plan your days	Set a daily routine and goals to stay organised.
Pace yourself	Avoid overexertion and take breaks when needed.
Be active	Engage in regular exercise for improved mood, brain health, and stress reduction.
Get enough sleep	Establish a consistent sleep schedule with a quiet, dark, and comfortable bedroom.
Eat a balanced diet	Focus on anti-inflammatory foods like tomatoes, broccoli, and fatty fish.
Lower stress	Practice stress management techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or hobbies.
Stay connected	Spend time with loved ones and consider joining a Long COVID support group.

The Final Say

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the lives of many individuals as they started experiencing brain fog symptoms. Although it is one of the causes of brain fog, more factors must be considered, like hormonal imbalance, poor sleep, stress, depression, menopause, pregnancy and many more.

It is noted that there is no permanent cure for this, but you can manage its symptoms by focusing on your sleep cycle; a balanced diet and exercise can improve your health. We have suggested some of the tips you can follow. For more information, you can visit ToneOp!

FAQs

1. How to clear brain fog instantly?

Some of the best ways to remove brain fog instantly are:

Reduce your screen time whether it is on TV, mobile or computer.
Do some meditation
Take small naps during long working hours.
Drink plenty of water.

2. What are the major symptoms of brain fog?

You may feel tired and dizzy all the time. Sometimes, you can also experience headaches or fatigue.

3. What is the best yoga for brain fog?

You can do meditation or deep breathing exercises to get instant relief from the symptoms of brain fog.

4. Is brain fog curable?

Well, it is not considered a medical condition rather, it has been observed as a symptom of other health issues. So, its permanent treatment is not available. But, its symptoms can be managed by following healthy habits and diet.

5. Is brain fog normal?

Yes, it is a normal condition and is generally observed as a symptom of conditions like anxiety or depression.

6. Can anxiety cause brain fog?

Yes, it is one of the leading causes of brain fog that can cause short-term memory loss, fatigue, sleep deprivation, etc.

7. How do I get rid of brain fog?

Tips to prevent brain fog:

Take proper rest
Take a balanced diet
Stress less
Keep yourself hydrate

8. Why do I have brain fog and dizziness?

Brain fog can occur due to various reasons, such as lack of sleep, excessive workload, and stress. However, if the brain fog persists, it might be a sign of a health condition like anxiety, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, or even COVID-19.

9. What causes tiredness and brain fog?

Brain fog and Tiredness can be caused by a variety of factors such as lack of sleep, poor diet, stress, dehydration, and certain medical conditions.

References

About ToneOp

ToneOp is a platform dedicated to improving and maintaining good health through a comprehensive range of goal-oriented health plans with up to 3 Coach support. With a range of Weight Management, Medical Condition, Detox Plans, and Face Yoga Plans, the app also provides premium health trackers, recipes and health content. Get customised diet, fitness, naturopathy & yoga plans and transform yourself with ToneOp.