NeuroStar® TMS Therapy
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
(855) 940-4867
Brain fog is the term used to describe focus or memory issues that may leave you feeling like you're "in a fog." When you're overcome by brain fog, your mind feels fuzzy and disorganized. You may have difficulty remembering things, struggle to think clearly, and feel dazed.
Brain fog can be caused by changes in your body or your mental health. It can be a symptom of depression, but depression isn't the only possible cause. Healthy brain function depends on many body systems working well together, and when a medical or mental health condition develops, brain fog can be one of your first clues.
Several common medical conditions can cause brain fog, many of which are chronic. Living with these conditions can be frustrating and mentally exhausting, but learning more about what causes brain fog can help you seek the right treatment and improve your symptoms.
Memory, attention, and focus can all be affected by depression. Experts are still learning about the connection between
depression and brain fog , but it is believed that depression could cause brain fog by interfering with the health and function of nerves in the brain, particularly in areas that control attention and memory.
Even if you're on antidepressants to treat depression, you may still experience some brain fog or other symptoms. This is because antidepressants may not be completely effective for everyone. In fact, about
one in three people do not respond to antidepressants. Some antidepressants can also interfere with neurotransmitters that are involved in memory function or they may cause sleepiness which interferes with attention. Fortunately there are other treatment options for depression you can discuss with your healthcare provider.
Brain fog is a common symptom of celiac disease, lupus, diabetes, and other autoimmune disorders. Inflammation in various parts of the body is at the root of each of these conditions and connects to brain fog. The link between
inflammation and brain alertness is being examined more closely through research.
The hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause, menopause, and pregnancy can lead to forgetfulness and clouded thinking. These effects can come and go as hormone levels change. Sleep disruption and mood swings are also common during these transitions, which can intensify the effects of brain fog.
Some medications can affect the way your brain functions or cause drowsiness. These symptoms of brain fog may be short-term or ongoing as you take these medications. While antidepressants are generally intended to help with brain fog, some can cause brain fog as a side effect, depending on the medication and your unique response to it. Sedatives, pain medicine, bladder control medicine and antihistamines are some of the other types of medications that can lead to brain fog.
Allergies can cause your nasal passages to become inflamed, which may lead to congestion or poor sleep, creating a foggy, tired feeling during the day. Inflammation can set up a cycle of daytime fatigue and poor sleep patterns. Other symptoms of allergies may include a runny nose, itchy eyes and skin, and sneezing.
The
thyroid gland is closely connected to your body's metabolism process. If your thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone, it can cause changes to brain function in addition to other symptoms which may include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, constipation, muscle weakness, weight gain, and dry skin.
As its name suggests, chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by constant fatigue with no clear underlying cause. While it may include other physical signs or symptoms such as enlarged lymph nodes, unexplained pain, headaches, and extreme exhaustion, it may also impair memory and concentration leading to a sense of brain fog.
Sleep apnea is a respiratory disorder that can result in poor sleep and low oxygen intake. Sleep apnea can be either due to difficulty getting air in through the air passages or due to a decrease drive to breathe during sleep. Changes in oxygen levels interfere with the necessary stages of sleep, decreasing restorative sleep that is needed to refresh the brain from the prior day's activities. This can led to dysfunction of the brain resulting in difficulty with thinking and memory.
There are multiple neurological conditions that can cause damage to nerves in the brain. Head injury, for example, can be associated with persistent symptoms afterwards leading to difficulties with attention and memory. Parkinson's disease, especially later in the illness can also result in memory difficulties creating a sense of brain fog. Certain vitamin deficiencies can also impact the health of nerves in the brain. There are numerous other neurological diseases that can give a sense of brain fog, which is why a medical evaluation can be important in trying to understand the cause.
Brain fog can be frustrating to deal with, especially if you're also managing other uncomfortable symptoms. It can also be a sign of other serious issues, so it's critical to get to the root of the problem. Pay close attention to when and how often you are affected by brain fog, as well as any other symptoms that may be connected to the condition. A medical evaluation with your primary care provider is a good place to start for workup of any difficulties with level of alertness, attention, or memory.
If you suspect your brain fog is related to depression, it's important to seek the depression treatment that works for you. Antidepressants and talk therapy are two common options, but if those treatments aren't working—or if antidepressants are causing brain fog—you may want to consider
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) . TMS uses gentle, targeted magnetic pulses to treat depression, and it can be helpful for depression symptoms when other treatments have not been fully effective.
It can be easy to become discouraged by brain fog, but it's important to keep working with your doctor to understand the condition and identify the solution that works for you.
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NeuroStar Adult Indications for Use
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes and for decreasing anxiety symptoms for those who may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment in the current episode.
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
NeuroStar Adolescent Indications for Use
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is indicated as an adjunct for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescent patients (15-21).
Important Safety Information
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is right for you. Patients’ results may vary.
The most common side effect is pain or discomfort at or near the treatment site. These events are transient; they occur during the TMS treatment course and do not occur for most patients after the first week of treatment. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with the use of TMS therapy (<0.1% per patient).
Visit neurostar.com for full safety and prescribing information.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including:
Do not take SPRAVATO® if you:
If you are not sure if you have any of the above conditions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking SPRAVATO®.
Before you take SPRAVATO®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Taking SPRAVATO® with certain medicine may cause side effects.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take central nervous system (CNS) depressants, psychostimulants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) medicine. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How will I take SPRAVATO®?
What should I avoid while taking SPRAVATO®?
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not take part in these activities until the next day following a restful sleep. See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
What are the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® may cause serious side effects including:
See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
Increased blood pressure. SPRAVATO® can cause a temporary increase in your blood pressure that may last for about 4 hours after taking a dose. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before taking SPRAVATO® and for at least 2 hours after you take SPRAVATO®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, change in vision, or seizures after taking SPRAVATO®.
Problems with thinking clearly. Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems thinking or remembering.
Bladder problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop trouble urinating, such as a frequent or urgent need to urinate, pain when urinating, or urinating frequently at night.
The most common side effects of SPRAVATO® include:
If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Johnson & Johnson at 1-800-526-7736, or to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray?
SPRAVATO® is a prescription medicine used:
SPRAVATO® is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic). It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe or effective as an anesthetic medicine.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective for use in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal thoughts or actions. SPRAVATO® is not for use in place of hospitalization if your healthcare provider determines that hospitalization is needed, even if improvement is experienced after the first dose of SPRAVATO®.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective in children.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for SPRAVATO® and discuss any questions you may have with your healthcare provider.
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