In the midst of a busy day at work, school, or a presentation, have you ever suddenly gone blank and forgotten what to say? Even though it is something that is very easy to remember,. If you have, you might be experiencing something called brain fog.
What is Brain Fog?
As reported by Verywell Mind, brain fog is actually not a medical term. Brain fog is a term to describe a series of symptoms related to the cognitive function of the brain, such as forgetfulness, slow thinking, difficulty digesting information, a blank mind, confusion, and others.
People who experience brain fog generally feel lackluster when performing daily tasks or activities. If this condition persists, a person may experience fatigue and frustration.
Brain fog is generally not a permanent condition. This condition usually occurs temporarily and can recover on its own. However, if you feel brain fog-like symptoms and they are persistent, then you should immediately consult a doctor.
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Symptoms of Brain Fog
The main symptoms of brain fog are problems with cognitive function, such as the following:
- Difficulty focusing on one thought
- Difficulty remembering
- Difficulty multitasking, even for simple things
- It is difficult to follow and understand conversations
- Not paying attention to surrounding conditions
- Slow responding
Causes of Brain Fog
Brain fog can be caused by many things, such as mental health issues, fatigue, and viral infections. Here are some common causes of brain fog:
Anxiety disorders or depression
Anxiety disorders and depression are closely related to brain fog. Brain fog can cause anxiety disorders and depression and vice versa, your anxiety disorder can also cause brain fog. Sometimes these conditions are difficult to trace which one happened first.
But if depression is causing brain fog, this condition can be treated by taking antidepressant medication, consulting a psychologist or psychiatrist, and managing stress well.
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Lack of certain nutrients
Vitamins and other essential nutrients can affect mental function. For example, a body deficient in vitamin B12 levels may be associated with lower brain function. Other vitamin deficiencies that can make your head feel dizzy include low levels of vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Side effects of medications
The medications you are taking can also cause brain fog. Pain medications, antidepressants and chemotherapy are known to cause brain fog side effects. Other medications such as statins to treat cholesterol can also affect brain function.
If you experience brain fog due to taking certain medications then you should consult a doctor.
Currently pregnant
Some pregnant women experience difficulty thinking or what is known as pregnancy brain. This condition is usually characterized by difficulty remembering and takes longer to think. The exact cause of pregnancy brain is unknown, but this condition is usually caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Covid-19 infection
Covid-19 infection is known to cause inflammation in the brain, leading to a decrease in the ability of neurons in the brain to communicate with each other. This condition causes brain fog. On the other hand, stress due to the pandemic and other things can also trigger brain fog.
Brain fog can occur due to a combination of medical conditions. If you experience prolonged brain fog, you should consult a doctor immediately.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr Nadia Opmalina
Higuera, V. (2022). 6 Possible Causes of Brain Fog. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/brain-fog
WebMD. (2021). Reasons You My Have Brain Fog. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/brain/ss/slideshow-brain-fog
Gupta, S. (2022). What is Brain Fog?. Available form: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-fog-5195298
Hovav, K. (2023). ‘Wait, Why Did I Come in Here?’ What Brain Fog Feels Like — and How to Clear Your Head. Available from: https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/healthy-mind/what-causes-brain-fog-what-it-feels-like