Brain fog refers to a group of symptoms that affects the concentration, thinking, and remembering, that is, the cognitive functions of an individual. Due to it, a person experiences difficulty in small day-to-day ordinary tasks. It is a collective group of symptoms affecting how one thinks, remembers, and concentrates. It can make doing ordinary routine tasks challenging. ALSO READ: When high blood sugar attacks the blood vessels For example, someone planning to clean a wardrobe may open it and then forget why they have opened it, or a person may forget what they were saying in the middle of a conversation. A person can suffer from forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty in focusing or concentrating, and a sense of exhaustion. ALSO READ: Ringing in the ears? It could be tinnitus, an often-ignored problem The duration, frequency, and severity of brain fog are highly variable. It can occur due to a stressful situation. Lack of adequate sleep can also result in brain fog. It can occur after an illness, as in an acute viral infection like COVID-19. Neuroinflammation and autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or multiple sclerosis, can also precipitate it. Hormonal changes, as in pregnancy or menopause, can cause brain fog. Diabetes and low blood sugar also cause brain fog as one of the manifestations. Some medicines, such as those used for allergy, depression, sedatives, tranquilizers, neuropathy drugs, anti-cancer drugs, and some antihypertensive drugs, can cause brain fog as a side effect. Those suffering from anxiety or depression can also be affected by brain fog. Poor nutrition, particularly deficiencies of vitamins B12, D, C, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, precipitates the problem. The symptoms of brain fog are highly variable and can vary from person to person. One can have difficulty in focusing, confusion, a sense of fatigue, forgetfulness, not finding the right words when in conversation with others, difficulty in paying attention to what another person is saying, slow thought process, and slow reaction time. Symptoms may involve one or more of these at a time. Symptoms of brain fog could be due to the immune response to a strain or infection, which causes inflammation in the brain, temporarily blocking or making it difficult for the body to process information. In the case of viral infections such as COVID-19, the virus can continue living in the gut after infection and symptoms resolve, changing the gut microbiome. This can reduce the amount of serotonin produced by the body and reduce cognitive functions as a result. Diagnosis is based on a detailed medical history that includes the mode of onset, frequency, and severity of symptoms, history of having COVID-19 or any infectious illness, triggering and relieving factors, intake of any medicines, use of abusive substances, and relevant tests done to exclude infectious, metabolic, hormonal, lifestyle, or drug-related issues causing brain fog. Usually, symptoms improve after the underlying reason causing brain fog is corrected. There is no specific treatment. It is important to boost the immune system by adopting certain measures like eating healthy and nutritious meals. Any nutritional deficiency present should be addressed and corrected. Hydration should be given due attention by drinking an adequate amount of water. Alcohol and other abusive substances should be avoided. Adequate restful sleep and mental relaxation are important. Regular physical activity is necessary and should be done according to one’s ability, while long hours of sitting continuously should be avoided. If one is on medicines, the use of likely offending drugs should be identified and changed if possible. Ways of working should be adjusted such that work does not seem stressful. Work should be planned in advance, and different tasks should be prioritized, which makes working less stressful and more efficient. If brain fog is severe, repetitive, or persistent, affecting work and causing stress, the help of a healthcare professional should be sought. Dr. Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine.
