Brain Fog: What You Need To Know

Almost everyone has had the experience of walking into a room and forgetting why they went there. Or losing your train of thought in the middle of a story. The word you want to say is on the tip of your tongue, but you just can't pull it out of your brain.

All of these experiences can be something called brain fog. It's not a medical diagnosis, although it may mean that there is something going on you need to know.

What Is Brain Fog?

What people call "brain fog" is a kind of mental block. It's marked by difficulty thinking, remembering or concentrating. This is not Alzheimer's disease. Think of it as if your brain is taking longer to do things. Your thoughts are pushing through a thick haze or fog. Some people compare it to the loading screen on a computer program. You can tell something is happening but it's going very slowly.

The good news is that brain fog is usually temporary.

Where Does Brain Fog Come From?

You might experience brain fog for a lot of reasons. That's why it can be hard to diagnose.

Some of the causes of brain fog might be:

• Lack of sleep
• Stress
• Hormones
• Illness
• Medications

If you don't get enough sleep, you will probably feel tired and your brain might feel sluggish. Going through a stressful time can make it harder to focus on anything. That's also true of more general anxiety. During pregnancy or menopause, many women report trouble thinking clearly. Sickness and medications both can affect your mental clarity.

Brain fog could also be a symptom of something more serious such as depression.

What To Do About Brain Fog

Most of the time, you can get through brain fog more quickly by taking a few specific steps.

Here are a few things you can do:

• Get enough sleep. Make it a priority to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night. Sleep hygiene is often a major impact on brain function.
• Drink enough water. Your brain tends to work better when your body is hydrated.
• Move your body. Daily exercise and movement can help boost your memory and your mood.
• Eat good food. A nutritious diet of "brain-healthy" foods helps you stay sharp and focused. Eat whole grains, vegetables, berries, beans, nuts and fish. Avoid any food with a lot of sugar or salt.
• Manage stress. Take time daily to stretch, practice deep breathing exercises or meditate. When you feel relaxed, you tend to think more clearly.
• Connect with others. Spend time with people you love. Strong positive connections have been linked to better thinking.

When To Talk to a Provider

If your brain fog comes on suddenly and with other symptoms like slurred speech, feeling weak or vision changes, please seek emergency care right away. These can be signs of a stroke.

If your brain fog symptoms last longer than a few weeks or worsen, reach out to your Baptist Health neurologist. If you do not have a provider, you can find one on our provider directory.