World Brain Day: When to Get Tested if you have recurring brain fog

Brain fog isn't a diagnosis but a sign your body or brain needs support. From sleep loss to stress, nutritional gaps to chronic illness, understanding the root causes can help you think clearly again. (Image: Pexels)

Have you experienced cloudiness when you try to focus on something, forgetfulness, lack of clarity in thoughts, or difficulty in paying attention? Is this feeling frequent? Is it common after a stressful day or after a sleepless night? If yes, you may have had brain fog

Brain fog is a medical term that describes a wide range of cognitive impairment, like forgetfulness, lack of focus, mental confusion or lack of clarity, inability to concentrate or pay attention, feeling mentally slow, easy distraction, and mental fatigue. Brain fog could be temporary or may be a chronic problem persisting for months to years, says Dr. Lynda Nazareth, Consultant Pathologist, Metropolis Healthcare Limited

Also Read: World Brain Day: Memory lapse in your 30s? How to decode early clues

The common causes of brain fog are as follows according to Nazareth.

• Sleep Deprivation

• Anxiety, Stress, and depression

• Lack of activity

• Immune system issues like chronic infections, post-COVID-19 immune system impairment, and autoimmune disorders (lupus, multiple sclerosis, dementia).

• Hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy, menopause, stress)

• Dehydration

• Stress or exhaustion

• Nutritional deficiency like Vitamin B12 and vitamin D, Anaemia, micronutrient deficiency

• Food sensitivity, like allergy or insensitivity to certain foods, causes inflammation.

• Heavy metal exposure

• Medications

• Aging

Stress is the body’s response to cope with a challenging situation or an increase in demand. For the short term, this can be motivating and would increase your performance. In the long term, it acts as a silent killer. It disturbs sleep cycles, messes with your metabolism, weakens your immune system, disrupts the hormonal balance, and causes mental cloudiness.

Common disease conditions associated with brain fog are diabetes, hypothyroidism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), cancer, stroke, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), COPD, heart disease, hepatitis C, fibromyalgia, cancer, etc.

If you experience recurrent brain fog and you find it hindering your daily routine, it's time to visit your doctor and get yourself tested to rule out the underlying cause.

There is no direct treatment for Brain fog, but your doctor may suggest the following:

• Follow a sleep hygiene or improve sleep habits.

• Minimum 30 mins of scheduled physical activity/ exercise

• Nutritional Supplements like Vitamin B complex, Fish oil, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C

• A daily break (30 mins) from routine to prevent exhaustion or burnout.

• Eat clean (well-balanced), healthy, and nutritious meals with low sugar intake

• Regular hydration

It is not easy to accept that you are experiencing a neurological deficit; however, it is important to recognise the symptoms early and take steps to improve your physical and mental health. If brain fog is temporary, the phase will pass will lifestyle changes. If it is a sign of a cognitive impairment, do not hesitate to seek professional advice.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis