Fibro Fog, Chemo Brain
Symptoms and Causes of Brain Fog
Different people experience brain fog in different ways, but in general, the symptoms of brain fog may include:
The vast majority of people have experienced brain fog on occasion, as it can be brought on by quotidian factors like a night of poor sleep, jet lag , or even an overly heavy meal. It may also be caused by short-term physical and emotional stressors, such as being pregnant or navigating a difficult time at work or school. These cases of brain fog often resolve once the stressor has passed.
When brain fog is severe and persistent, however, it may indicate a more serious cause or one that requires formal treatment. Such causes can range from psychiatric conditions like anxiety , depression , or PTSD ; to physical health conditions like vitamin deficiencies, COVID-19, multiple sclerosis, or cancer. Certain medical treatments, such as benzodiazepines or chemotherapy, may also induce brain fog; indeed, the term “chemo brain” refers to the brain fog that often occurs when undergoing cancer treatment.
Stress is a common cause of brain fog because stress—and especially chronic stress—keeps our nervous system on high alert. When our bodies and brains are operating in survival mode, we may not have the capacity to focus on minor tasks or engage in logical, rational thinking, resulting in persistent fuzziness or frequent feelings of overwhelm.
Brain Fog and COVID-19
Brain fog has become more well-known in recent years due in part to its connection with coronavirus disease 2019 , or COVID-19. COVID is a highly infectious respiratory disease whose symptoms typically include coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, and headache. However, some people who contract COVID-19—and especially when their infection progresses to what’s known as long COVID , a protracted bout of the illness or a relapse after an apparent recovery—report symptoms of brain fog that often persist long after other symptoms such as fever have subsided.
The exact cause of COVID-induced brain fog is not yet entirely understood; indeed, there is much we still don’t know about the specific coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and how it behaves in the human body. Still, researchers have proposed several possible mechanisms to explain why COVID-19 and long COVID often trigger brain fog; these include neuroinflammation, damage to blood vessels impairing oxygen flow to the brain, and other hypotheses.
Brain fog is a commonly reported symptom of both “regular” COVID and long COVID; in fact, patient surveys find that it is often among the earliest long COVID symptoms to appear. However, not everyone with COVID develops brain fog, and brain fog may itself be a symptom of countless other health concerns, from cancer to PTSD.
There are several possible reasons why COVID-19 can cause brain fog . Chief among them are infection of the central nervous system, neuroinflammation caused by the initial respiratory inflammation, an overactive autoimmune response, or damage to blood cells resulting in reduced oxygen to the brain. More research is needed to determine which of these causes are most likely.
How to Beat Brain Fog
How brain fog is treated typically depends on its cause. Sometimes, treatment is as simple as replacing one medication with another; more often, however, managing brain fog requires some longer-term lifestyle changes, like improving one’s sleep quality, getting more exercise, or committing to a healthy diet . In certain cases, formal medical treatment may be appropriate; for example, brain fog thought to be caused by inflammation may be treated with immunosuppressant drugs or anti-inflammatories. Anyone struggling with persistent brain fog should reach out to a doctor to help identify the cause and determine the treatments that may help.
Exercise is among the most commonly recommended treatments for brain fog, as physical activity benefits both the body and the mind. Those whose brain fog is caused by an illness, such as COVID-19, may find it especially difficult to engage in physical activity; starting small, and aiming for consistency rather than intensity, can help make an exercise habit easier to adopt.
In many cases, yes, as an insufficient amount of sleep is a common factor in persistent brain fog . Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night and practice consistent sleep hygiene (i.e. going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, avoiding electronics before bed, and eliminating light from your bedroom); if brain fog continues even after several months of better sleep, reach out to a doctor for further help.
Eating foods that promote brain health—including, but not limited to, fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, healthy oils, and nuts and seeds—could help those who are struggling with brain fog . Some experts also believe that incorporating inflammation-fighting foods into one’s diet, such as ginger or turmeric, could help manage brain fog thought to have inflammation-related causes, such as long COVID.
Explore More About Brain Fog
For a comprehensive understanding of brain fog, read our complete guide: