Feeling more sluggish than usual? It could be brain fog. Learn exactly what it is and what the common causes are here
Have you been walking into rooms and forgetting why you entered? Have you been having a hard time multitasking at work? Or maybe you have been having a difficult time concentrating more than is normal? The occasional bout of forgetfulness, poor concentration, and struggle to multitask is normal for everyone, but for these to become everyday occurrences? You could be experiencing brain fog.
Brain fog is not a condition, but rather a symptom of a larger problem. Aside from forgetfulness and lack of concentration, brain fog could also make you feel more tired and moodier than usual. These are not good experiences to have on a daily basis, so putting in the work to tackle the causes is essential. Of course, you need to get medical attention for persistent brain fog, but you can also improve your lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and good sleep to lessen your risk of brain fog and improve your mental health.
With that being said, listed below are seven of the known causes of brain fog to help you pinpoint why you’re experiencing it.
Unhealthy diet
Your diet can be causing your brain fog. This could mean that you’re undereating and not meeting your nutritional needs, thus impairing your brain function. Not getting enough of specific nutrients that are integral to your brain health—such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron—could also be the cause of your brain fog. Taking up a Mediterranean-style diet can help to address this problem.
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Stress
Chronic stress can be the source of your brain fog as it can cause issues with your memory, concentration, ability to reason, and much more. Taking up stress management with things like exercise, yoga, meditation, therapy, and spa treatments can work wonders on your stress levels.
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Lack of sleep
Being sleep deprived can also be the source of your brain fog. This is because your lack of sleep or poor sleep quality contributes to poor concentration, fatigue, moodiness, and more. For optimal health, research shows that adults need to sleep seven or more hours a night regularly.
Antiperspirants
A build-up of heavy metals in your body could also be the cause of your brain fog. We’re exposed to heavy metals in our daily lives from our food to our makeup, but one simple way you can reduce your exposure to it is by switching your antiperspirant with aluminum-free deodorant. This is because absorbed aluminum contributes to cognitive dysfunction, and neurotoxin heavy metals as a whole can cause mental fatigue and other ill effects. To know exactly how much heavy metals are in your body and how to address them, it’s best to visit a good doctor.
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Medical conditions
You could also be experiencing brain fog because of your medical condition, like if you have COVID-19, chronic fatigue syndrome, or lupus. You could also be getting brain fog from the prescribed medication or treatment. There’s plenty of research surrounding this topic, especially concerning chemotherapy for cancer patients. If you’re experiencing brain fog as a result of your condition or medication, you should consult your doctor for remedies.
