![5 Common Causes of "Brain Fog" about undefined](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdxp-dh-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2F64b009b68bf37f6265aa0ae4%2Fassets%2F65f8b88a7ff3cc0013110fcb%2F5commoncausesofbrainfogimage.jpeg&w=1920&q=70)
Causes of Brain Fog
This is not to say brain fog is a problem special to older women. Menopause just happened to be the focus of this one study. Other conditions and situations that can lead to brain fog include:- Autoimmune diseases: Celiac, an autoimmune reaction to gluten, can cause brain fog. So can conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.1 At least for gluten sensitivity, the answer is obvious. You’d be amazed at how many people have cleared up brain fog by avoiding their "trigger foods."
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): A study at Columbia University shows that immune system dysfunction in the central nervous system during CFS is linked to memory problems.2 My problem with brain fog ten or fifteen years ago was linked to CFS – a problem I was able to solve.
- Chemotherapy: Many chemotherapy drugs have been reported to cause memory gaps.3 It’s called “chemo brain.” Cancer is a big subject, but my two cents is that there are lot of effective alternative treatments, and a great many cancer patients could avoid chemo, or manage with much lower doses.
- Anyone who has suffered from allergies or colds can tell you they decimate your mental capacity. Some researchers believe that your immune response during an allergic reaction or a cold may hamper your ability to focus.4 Also be aware that the medications for these conditions are among the worst for your brain.
How to Maintain a Sharper Memory
The advice that experts offer for fighting back against brain fog includes better nutrition and mental strategies to help your memory work better. The Rochester researchers believe that working harder at retaining new information can help. "When someone gives you a new piece of information, it might be helpful to repeat it out loud, or for you to say it back to the person to confirm it – it will help you hold onto that information longer," says researcher Miriam Weber. "Make sure you have established that memory solidly in the brain." At the same time, researchers at Ohio State, who have investigated why chemotherapy fogs the brain, say that altering your diet may help you stay sharper. Their advice: Take in more omega-3 fatty acids, the type of fats contained in fish oil, and cut back on your sugar consumption. Tests have shown that omega-3 oils reduce inflammation in the brain, lower oxidative stress and help neurons stay healthier.5 This is good advice for anyone trying to keep their brain working better. Also avoid processed foods that are filled with refined carbohydrates – these can increase inflammation which, in turn, can fog your mental functions. Getting more exercise also helps. For me, a brisk daily walk clears my mind. And studies show that aerobic activity helps the brain build new neurons.6- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24889390
- http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v21/n2/full/mp201529a.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23937917
- http://www.resmedjournal.com/article/S0954-6111(11)00332-5/abstract
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27933449
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27488632