Brain fog, or mental fatigue, is a word used to define symptoms that can hinder your ability to think. You may feel disoriented, confused, and lack of focus in daily activities. It is not a medical condition in itself but is known to stem from other medical conditions. 

 

Here are some of the causes of brain fog:

 

 

1. Stress and Lack of Sleep

 

Excessive stress and lack of quality sleep can often lead to high blood pressure, weakened the immune system, and depression. When your brain exhausts itself, it faces difficulty functioning optimally and can lead to fuzzy vision, poor retention and cloudy thoughts.

 

2. Hormonal Changes

During pregnancy or menopause, women go through various changes in the levels of hormones estrogen and progesterone. This change can affect memory and lead to short-term cognitive disabilities, leading to forgetfulness, low concentration levels, and fuzzy thoughts.

 

3. Diet

Refined sugar, foods lacking in dietary fats, vitamin B-12, and specific food sensitivities with foods like MSG, peanuts, and dairy, can often lead to brain fog. Find out how refined sugar can harm your health here.

 

4. Medications and Certain Diseases
   

 

Certain over-the-counter drugs may often lead to brain fog. If you notice that you’re not able to think or remember clearly, consult your doctor at the earliest. Diseases that may cause brain fog are:

• Anaemia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Sjögren syndrome
• Migraines
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Arthritis, and Multiple Sclerosis
• Dehydration

 

5. Multiple Sclerosis
   
   

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system and can gravely affect your memory, attention, thinking, reasoning, language, and functioning. Most patients with Multiple Sclerosis experience brain fog, and can be controlled with the help of a therapist.

 

6. Chemotherapy
   
   

 

Chemotherapy employs strong drugs for treatment, and can lead to what’s popularly known as ‘chemo brain’. You may experience difficulty remembering names, multi-tasking, and speech difficulty. Although the symptoms usually fade, some people may be affected even after they’re done with treatment.

 

7. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
   
   

CFS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can make your mind and body feel tired for a long time and may lead to feelings of confusion, forgetfulness, and dizziness. Although there is no cure, medication, exercise, and therapy may help control the effects of this feeling.

 

8. Lupus
   
   

 

Lupus is a disease that affects your immune system for a long period of time. People with Lupus experience feelings of confusion, problems with memory and retention, and lack of concentration. 

 

9. Depression
   
   

Depression may affect your brain in a way that can lead to Brain Fog. You may not remember things, or perform simple problem-solving tasks on a day-to-day basis. It is often linked to loss of energy and motivation and mental exhaustion that can affect your brain.

 

More often than not, treating brain fog may only involve making dietary and lifestyle changes. However, if symptoms persist, your doctor will suggest proper medication based on the underlying cause of the condition.