“Brain fog” attacks not only after COVID-19. When can it occur? Seven situations

Most of us have heard about “brain fog” only in the context of COVID-19. But this is not the only cause of “brain fog”. Problems may arise in other situations, and not all are related to disease. What is brain fog really? When can it attack?

1. “Brain fog” is a non-medical term used to describe symptoms such as confusion, forgetfulness, inability to focus, communication problems
2. These symptoms may appear not only after COVID-19, but also in cancer and its treatment, in depression, even when we often have pessimistic thoughts. But it is not everything
3. More information can be found on the Onet homepage.

“Brain fog” as a complication after COVID-19

Most of us probably heard about “brain fog” for the first time in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It did not appear with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, however. She was known before.

To begin with, the term “brain fog” is not a medical term, nor does it refer to a specific disease. It is a non-scientific term that refers to specific symptoms that can negatively affect your ability to think. Among the typical symptoms of “brain fog” are: disturbance in concentration, confusion, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, communication problems, a sense of alienation, anxiety or depression. – In the case of symptoms after COVID-19, it is also long-lasting fatigue, a problem with divided attention or an olfactory disorder that lasts more than three months and in which the ENT causes have been excluded – said neurologist Bożena Adamkiewicz, MD, PhD in an interview for MedTvoiLokony.

– In many cases, patients appear to be completely healthy, functioning properly and only they notice that something has changedfor example, they can’t remember something quickly, they have something on the tip of their tongue, they work slower, but they didn’t have it before. According to the literature, from 30 to 50 percent suffer from this type of disorder. patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, not necessarily with a severe course – explains the expert. More about “brain fog” after COVID-19.

Some covid convalescents may experience symptoms for many months. To support the functioning of the brain and the entire nervous system, order Aqua Kick Brain Focus for the proper functioning of the OstroVit brain.

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As mentioned above, COVID-19 is not the only cause of ‘brain fog’. Patients also complained about related problems prior to the pandemic. What else can lead to it? Find out about seven possible reasons.

“Brain fog” and pregnancy

Many pregnant women experience difficulties with remembering. Future mothers complain about the troublesome forgetting of words, phrases, names, they sometimes do not remember what they came to the store for, have difficulty concentrating, etc. These problems are sometimes referred to as gestational amnesia or pregnesia.

The major hormonal changes in the pregnant woman’s body (especially estrogen and progesterone) are indicated as the main cause of memory impairment in pregnancy. The increasing level of these compounds affects the functioning of brain cells, which simply process information less efficiently.

Symptoms of gestational amnesia usually disappear within a few weeks of giving birth.

“Brain fog” and multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system. It causes damage and loss of various nervous structures (including myelin sheaths, neuronal projections), which leads to brain atrophy and disturbances in the functioning of neural networks.

Multiple sclerosis has a very different course. You may develop neurological symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, disturbed vision, sensation and movement. In MS, there may also be fatigue syndrome, cognitive decline, mood disorders, problems with memory, concentration and planning.

Fortunately, cognitive dysfunction can be influenced by regularly “exercising” the brain. As emphasized by the neurologist Dr. Anna Pokryszko-Dragan, it is worth supporting yourself with everyday activities, setting yourself new attractive and motivating stimuli or solving more and more difficult tasks that stimulate the work of the brain. All these activities affect the plasticity of the brain and develop the so-called cognitive reserve, i.e. the amount of knowledge and skills acquired during life that allow you to partially compensate for age-related or disease-related deterioration in cognitive functions.

“Brain fog” and cancer and its treatment

Cognitive disorders are experienced by many people in cancer therapy, i.e. undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, but also surgery. This condition is referred to as “chemobrain” or more broadly as CRSD – cancer-related cognitive impairment.

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As noted by the Alivia Foundation, which educates, represents cancer patients in the public debate and encourages them to fight the disease, “dysfunctions are most common in patients with breast cancer, but are also observed in patients with lung cancer, tumors of the head and neck, testicular cancer , lymphomas, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer and after hematopoietic cell transplantation and carcinoid syndrome ».

The most important causes of cognitive disorders in cancer treatment are cytokine dysregulation (proteins that play an important role in the immune system). As explained by Alivia, their level negatively correlates with cognitive functioning – the higher the level of cytokines, the greater the problems with memory, attention, etc.

Memory and attention impairment may also occur during the course of the cancer itself, and this does not only apply to tumors that attack the brain and nervous system.

“Brain fog” and the menopause

Many women during and after the menopause report cognitive decline, including memory and concentration problems. These symptoms appear next to mood disorders (irritability, anxiety, sadness, depressive episodes) or sleep problems.

Again, hormones, especially estrogen, are indicated as the main cause of the problems. The decline in sex hormones in the body that occurs during the menopause means that estrogen is eventually no longer delivered to the brain. Meanwhile, research has shown that areas of the brain involved in mood, behavior, and cognition processes have high levels of estrogen-binding proteins.

Scientists suspect that the causes of memory disorders in women are hormonal imbalances, including estrogen deficiency.

«Brain fog» and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

Chronic Fatique Syndrome (CFS), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is a complex disorder characterized by a feeling of extreme exhaustion that has been present in a patient for at least six months.

The diagnosis of CFS is made on the basis of eight key symptoms, of which the patient must meet a minimum of four. In addition to the permanent feeling of exhaustion, these are memory or concentration disorders, but also enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or armpit, headache different than usual, of a different intensity, pain that moves from one joint to another without swelling or redness, sleep that does not give rest, unexplained muscle aches, sore throat / hoarseness, extreme exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after exercise or mental exertion.

“Brain fog” and pessimism and depression

Depression also has a negative impact on cognitive functions, including memory. This may be related to the loss of energy and motivation that accompanies the disease, but also to the fact that depression directly affects brain function. Already in 2015, scientists noticed that in people with recurrent depression, the brain structure responsible for memory (the hippocampus) is much smaller.

Moreover, recurrent negative thinking also favors memory problems. In 2020, researchers at University College London found that people who frequently thought negatively experienced greater cognitive decline, including greater memory problems. They believe that recurring negative thinking may also increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

«Our thoughts can both positively and negatively affect our physical health. Working on thoughts, for example through meditation, can help reduce negative thought patterns and thus contribute to a lower risk of dementia, ‘commented the researchers.

“Brain fog” and some medications

Some types of drugs – both overhead and prescription – can cause brain fogging. If, while taking a medication, you notice that your thinking is not as clear and fast as it should be, or you suddenly forget something, contact your doctor. Remember to inform him of all medications you are taking.

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