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What Can Cause Brain Fog?
Erika Krull, MSEd, LMHP
What Is Brain Fog?
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.
What Can Cause Brain Fog?
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.
Depression
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.
Autoimmune disorders
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.
Hormonal changes
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.
Medication side effects
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
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.
Hypothyroidism
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.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
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
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.
Neurological conditions
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.
Other causes of brain fog
- Lack of sleep
- Poor diet
- Stress
- Dehydration
Learning More About Brain Fog
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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Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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