10 Brain Fog Triggers and How to Manage the Symptoms

Seriously speaking there are times I get into this ‘couple of seconds’ forgetfulness. I soon snap out of it, but got me thinking what triggers this symptom. Could it be a momentary brain fog?  I did my research and this is what I found out.

Well if it is indeed a brain fog, it is not as bad as it sounds, as its not life threatening. It isn’t a medical condition either. It’s a term applied to some symptoms that can affect your ability to think. It might be difficult to put your thoughts into words, feel confused or disorientated. There are reasons you may get this fleeting lapse in the ability of the brain to process perfectly as highlighted below:

1. Sleep

While sleep helps your brain to rejuvenate and function optimally, too much sleep can also leave you feeling foggy.  Try to sleep 8 hours. Also, deprivation of adequate sleep does you no good. In this regard you may want to avoid caffeine and alcohol after 2 pm and keep your computer and smartphone out of the bedroom. If this is a tall order for you, at least shut down these sleep disturbers.  It also helps to have a sleep routine: get to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

2. Fatigue

If you suffer from chronic fatigue, your body and mind are tired for a long time. This may trigger confusion, forgetfulness and the inability to focus. However medication and daily exercise may help. For exercise, no matter how tired you are, if you can manage a 1 hour walk, starting slowly, chances are that you get some energy back into your tired bones.

3. Depression

When you are in a depressive mode, you may forget things easily or unable to think through problems easily. It’s difficult to ascertain if this is connected to the loss of energy and motivation that comes with depression, or if depression affects your brain in a way that triggers the fog. Treatment for depression, which includes medication and talk therapy, should help get you back on track.

4. Pregnancy

A lot of women find it difficult to remember things during pregnancy. This is because pregnancy changes your body in several ways and chemicals released to protect and nourish your baby may trigger memory problems.

5. Medicine

Some kinds of over- the- counter (OTC) or prescribed medication can trigger brain fog. If you take medicine and notice that your thinking isn’t as sharp as it should be or you suddenly can’t remember things, call or pay your doctor a visit.  Let him know all the medicines you have been taking.

6. Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy is a treatment for cancer which involves use of very powerful drugs and can lead to what’s sometimes called ‘chemo brain.’ In this situation, you experience difficulty remembering details like names or dates, find it difficult to multi-task, or take a longer time to finish things. Though it disappears fairly quickly, some people can be affected for a long time after treatment.

7. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MS is a disease which affects your central nervous system and can change the way your brain speaks to other parts of your body. About half the people who have MS have issues with memory, focus, planning, or speech. Learning and memory exercises can assist, and a therapist can suggest new ways to handle the tasks you are struggling with.  

8. Menopause

Menopausal women may find it more difficult to learn or remember things when they reach this stage of life. It happens about a year after their last period, usually around age 50. Along with brain fog, they also may have hot flashes with a higher heart rate and body temperature and other body changes. Hormone supplements and other types of medication may help. Exercise and healthy diet are also beneficial.

9. Lupus

Lupus is a long term disease which causes your immune system to attack your body, and the symptoms are not the same in many cases. About 50% of the people with lupus have problems with memory, focusing, and clarity. There’s no cure, but medication and talking with a therapist can help.

10. Stress

Good stress helps you function optimally. But bad stress which is often caused by working above your capabilities is bad and triggers incoherence, lapses in critical thinking and forgetfulness. Learn to manage your stress and keep it under control. Exercise, relaxation, planning, and a good diet can help push away bad stress.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons