What Causes Brain Fog and How to Treat It

‍Brain fog is a term that’s often heard in the context of chronic illness. This feeling of being in a fog or haze can occur when you have a cold, flu, virus, or any other illness that causes your immune system to weaken. But it can also be triggered by stress, anxiety, or fatigue. People with chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) often experience brain fog as one of the main symptoms. In this article we explain what brain fog is and its potential triggers. Furthermore, we provide tips for recognizing when you are experiencing brain fog and how you can reverse the negative impacts of this condition on your life.

What is Brain Fog?
Brain fog is a feeling of mental confusion, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating. Its definition is quite broad and can be triggered by a wide range of health conditions. There is no medical test to confirm brain fog and its causes are often unconfirmed. However, many people with chronic illnesses experience brain fog as a symptom. This can make it more challenging to pinpoint the underlying cause and treat it effectively.

The term “brain fog” was coined by fibromyalgia patients, who described it as a feeling of mental and cognitive impairment. While brain fog is often a symptom of fibromyalgia, it can also be caused by other conditions, like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Lyme disease. Symptoms of brain fog can include problems with attention, short-term memory, and information processing. You might experience difficulty grasping new concepts, extracting meaning from spoken language, and writing coherent sentences. These can be frustrating for you and those around you.

Causes of Brain Fog
Brain fog is a symptom that can be triggered by many different health ailments. The primary culprits are stress, anxiety, and poor sleep quality. Brain fog can also be caused by a wide range of other health issues. Below, we’ll look at the top five causes of brain fog and their symptoms. You may find that one or more of these apply to you.

EDS - When your blood vessels are too relaxed and widen, your blood flow is reduced. This can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches your brain. It can also cause blood pressure to drop. These can make you feel foggy and tired. HPA axis dysregulation - This refers to issues with the way your body responds to stress. When we’re under stress, our bodies release cortisol. However, people with chronic illnesses often have an overactive HPA axis. This can cause blood pressure to increase, heart rate to increase, and catecholamine levels to rise. This leads to symptoms of brain fog.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies - Brain fog can be caused by lack of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet. A deficiency in B vitamins, magnesium, or iron can lead to symptoms of brain fog. Hormonal imbalance - Hormones are responsible for regulating many functions in your body. If they’re out of balance, any one of your systems could be negatively impacted. Your hormones can impact your cognitive function.

Sleep deprivation - When you don’t get enough sleep, your body recharges its energy levels. If you’re sleep-deprived for too long, you’ll start to experience symptoms of brain fog. These include a reduced ability to focus, process information, and recall memories.