Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
Have you ever called someone you know a wrong name? Have you ever went into a room and forgot what you were in there for? Are you just not a mentally sharp as you once were? Or feel like you have a lot of “brain farts” or forgetful moments? You are not alone.
Brain fog is a general word used to describe symptoms that make it hard to focus, think clearly or concentrate. Brain fog can present differently in everyone, but there are various symptoms that can overlap.
Brain fog can cause memory problems where people have trouble recalling names or difficulty remembering things. It can make it challenging to focus or concentrate, or even find the right word to express thoughts or feelings. It can even make you feel like your thoughts are moving slowly or processing slowly.
Brain fog can also make you mentally exhausted and drained, even with little mental exertion.
There are multiple factors that can contribute to, or cause brain fog. Some of the most common causes of brain fog are lack of sleep or sleep deprivation, chronic stress, mental health problems like anxiety or depression, autoimmune diseases like lupus or fibromyalgia, fluctuations in blood sugar from diabetes or low blood sugar, medication side effects, nutrition deficiencies, thyroid disease, long COVID or even post-concussion syndrome.
There are a variety of reasons to potentially have brain fog. Some are reversible, while others may be more long term. But there are options when it comes to managing and preventing brain fog.
To help decrease brain fog severity and presence, it is important to get plenty of sleep and prioritize seven to 9 hours of quality sleep per night.
Decreasing and managing stress through stress-reducing techniques can also decrease brain fog.
Nutrition and maintaining a healthy diet, as well as staying physically active are important for brain health.
Even mentally stimulating activities and games can help improve brain health and decrease brain fog.
It is important to know that fog and dementia can often be mixed together, but they are not the same and are very different. Brain fog is a temporary state of mental confusion or sluggishness and is not a medical diagnosis, while dementia is a progressive neurological disease that causes a decline in cognitive function. Brain fog is usually reversible, depending on the underlying condition, while dementia is a chronic and irreversible condition that gets worse over time.
If you are concerned about your brain health, including brain fog or even dementia, it is essential that you discuss your concerns and your history with your medical doctor. Not everything is brain fog and not everything is a sign of dementia. But understanding your risk factors, exposures and triggers can be beneficial in working up and understanding your symptoms and brain health status.
Dr. Aisha Harris, MD is a Flint native and board-certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health in Flint, Michigan. Harris Family Health is a membership-based clinic that provides personalized and full primary care to adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com.
Feel free to submit health questions to Dr. Harris at theflintcouriernews@gmail.com.
