Common Causes of Brain Fog
If it’s becoming increasingly clear that your inability to remember things or concentrate on even basic tasks, you may have brain fog. This type of cognitive dysfunction can be a warning sign that something else is going on with your physical or mental health.
At Klarity Clinic, our expert medical team treats many of the conditions that can contribute to ongoing brain fog. We can provide insight into how existing health issues can affect your memory and concentration, so you can get the treatment you need to make brain fog go away.
Understanding brain fog
Brain fog can be described as mental fatigue, and its symptoms can range from mild to severe. When someone says they have brain fog, it means they are experiencing:
- Memory issues
- Poor concentration
- Difficulties focusing on tasks
- Decreased mental clarity
Even though brain fog isn’t a diagnosable medical condition, it can be a symptom of acute or chronic health conditions or circumstances in your environment.
What may be causing your brain fog
The good news about brain fog is that typically once you identify the cause of your symptoms, you can usually relieve them by addressing the underlying problem.
Here are four common issues that may increase your risk for developing brain fog:
1. Sleep deprivation
If you aren’t sleeping long enough or aren’t getting high-quality sleep every night, the sleep deprivation can affect your brain function. Poor concentration and unclear thinking are common side effects of sleep-related issues like sleep apnea and insomnia.
Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night, and follow a regular sleep schedule to wake up at the same time every day. Also, be mindful of what you do before you go to bed, don’t use caffeine in the evenings, and avoid electronics for at least an hour before bedtime.
2. Chronic stress
Chronic stress causes both physical and mental side effects that impact your health and quality of life. Too much stress can increase your risk for high blood pressure, poor immunity, and brain exhaustion.
Untreated stress can also increase your risk for depression, another common cause of brain fog.
3. Dietary deficiencies
Lacking certain vitamins in your daily diet can play a role in fuzzy thinking and other symptoms of brain fog. Make sure to eat plenty of leafy greens and other vitamin-packed foods to ensure you’re getting enough B12 and other essential vitamins and minerals.
Your diet can also cause brain fog in other ways. For instance, if you have food sensitivities or allergies, you may develop brain fog after eating peanuts, dairy, additives, or other ingredients that trigger an immune system response.
4. Medical conditions
Brain fog can be a symptom of several medical conditions, including fibromyalgia, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and depression. There is also a link between the medications you take for some of these conditions and your risk for brain fog.
In women, hormone changes during pregnancy and menopause can trigger persistent brain fog that’s severe enough to negatively impact quality of life.
Ongoing research also shows that the COVID-19 virus can cause persistent brain fog in certain people.
When to consider medical help for brain fog
In some cases, brain fog clears on its own without specific medical treatment by making lifestyle changes and dietary improvements. However, if you have a chronic health condition, brain fog can become a long-term problem.
Though we don’t treat every condition that causes brain fog, we do provide ketamine infusion therapy for people with treatment-resistant depression. In low doses, ketamine can provide fast and long-lasting relief of depression symptoms when oral medications aren’t working or if they’re causing unpleasant side effects.
We also offer NAD+ infusion therapy, an intravenous (IV) treatment that delivers essential multivitamins, antioxidants, and hydration directly into your bloodstream.
NAD+ infusions contain nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a coenzyme that contributes to chemical reactions in your body. Treatment boosts your overall brain function and immunity. Infusions can also help regulate your body’s stress response and enhance your sleep quality by regulating your natural circadian rhythm.
To learn more about the available options for brain fog relief, call the Klarity Clinic office nearest to you today, or book an appointment online.