This can be caused by overworking, lack of sleep, stress, and spending too much time on the computer. On a cellular level, brain fog is believed to be caused by high levels inflammation and changes to hormones that determine your mood, energy and focus.
For example, brain fog is a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome, which involves persistent fatigue for a prolonged period of time, according to 2020 research . People who have fibromyalgia may experience similar fogginess on a daily basis, according to a 2015 research review .
A deficiency in several nutrients could potentially contribute to brain fog, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Low levels of magnesium, vitamin C, and choline may also cause brain fog, but more research is needed.
While spacing out can simply be a sign that you are sleep deprived, stressed, or distracted, it can also be due to a transient ischemic attack, seizure, hypotension, hypoglycemia, migraine, transient global amnesia, fatigue, narcolepsy, or drug misuse.
You can help yourself recover, because brain fog improves with healthier lifestyle choices. The "basics" are eating healthier, getting enough sleep and rest, and increasing physical activity (gradually). Reducing stress is also important.
How long does brain fog last after COVID-19 is treated? The good news is that the vast majority of patients with post-COVID-19 brain fog recover completely over the course of 6 to 9 months.
Keep in mind, though, that brain fog can be a symptom of so many things, including stress, lack of sleep, and menopause. Sudden personality changes: Becoming suddenly aggressive or sluggish, for instance, would be a rare symptom of a brain tumor.
Should you see a doctor? Brain fog can be worrisome no matter how you get it. If your symptoms exist for several weeks, you should schedule an appointment with a neurologist for a medical evaluation. Research shows that brain fog can affect some people for months.
Brain fog in itself is not a mental health issue. However, it is very closely related to mental health as it can be both a symptom of common mental health conditions such as depression or stress, and a cause for others such as anxiety.
Brain fog can be a symptom of a nutrient deficiency, sleep disorder, bacterial overgrowth from overconsumption of sugar, depression, or even a thyroid condition. Other common brain fog causes include eating too much and too often, inactivity, not getting enough sleep, chronic stress, and a poor diet.
Brain fog, foggy head anxiety symptoms description:
It feels like you have a foggy head, foggy mind. You have difficulty thinking, concentrating, and/or forming thoughts. Your thinking feels like it is muddled and impaired. Some people describe this symptom as being “foggy-headed” or having a “foggy head.”
Information overload, stress, and anxiety are common causes for feeling like you're unable to gather the flurry of thoughts running through your head.
Nearly everyone zones out from time to time. It might happen more frequently when you feel bored or stressed, or when you'd rather be doing something else. It's also pretty common to experience prolonged spaciness or brain fog if you're dealing with grief, a painful breakup, or other difficult life circumstances.
Stress, anxiety or depression can cause forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating and other problems that disrupt daily activities. Alcoholism. Chronic alcoholism can seriously impair mental abilities. Alcohol can also cause memory loss by interacting with medications.
Guanfacine and NAC Relieve Long COVID Brain Fog
Since then, Fesharaki-Zadeh has treated 12 patients experiencing post-COVID brain fog with this regimen. He instructed patients to take 1 mg of guanfacine at bedtime, and if well-tolerated, to increase the dosage to 2 mg after one month.
Managing brain fog alongside work
Fortunately, there are ways to combat and manage brain fog as you recover. Eating foods such as fatty fish rich in omega-3, nuts, and leafy greens – as well as a hearty cup of coffee – can boost your cognitive functions.
Sixty-eight percent said they had headaches, and more than half said they had problems with loss of taste and smell, numbness or tingling, and muscle pain. Most were women, with an average age of 43. Less common symptoms included dizziness, blurred vision and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
These may include: seizures, difficulty thinking or speaking, changes in personality, anxiety, depression, disorientation, fatigue, abnormal eye movements, numbness or tingling on one side of the body, weakness on one side of the body, loss of balance, vision changes, memory loss, nausea, generalized pain, trouble ...
Disorientation occurs when you are confused about the time, where you are or even who you are. It can be caused by a disease, illicit drugs, an infection or one of many other causes. Signs that a person is disoriented may include: an inability to focus their attention.
Some of the most common causes of brain fog include fibromyalgia, diabetes, depression, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.
Brain fog stems from issues related to an unhealthy or injured brain. Most of the potential causes for brain fog are regularly diagnosed and treated by functional neurologists.