“And then there are other people who are just completely disabled by this.” How is it diagnosed?Īlthough brain fog sounds vague and temporary, like bad weather that will clear over time, research is beginning to show that it can affect some people for months and take over many aspects of life, compared to run-of-the-mill sluggishness or forgetfulness. “There are some people who are able to carry on with their jobs and their regular lives, but they may need to take more frequent breaks between tasks,” Dr. But if your symptoms persist over several weeks or make life agonizingly difficult, you should seek a medical evaluation. The cognitive issues may wax and wane - in Covid-related brain fog as well as other types, said Jacqueline Becker, a clinical neuropsychologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. When should you see a doctor?īrain fog can be frustrating and worrisome no matter when or how you get it. Michelle Monje, a neurologist at Stanford University who has studied both chemotherapy- and coronavirus-related cognitive impairment. “It’s becoming a neurological health crisis,” said Dr. Roughly 20 to 30 percent of Covid patients have some brain fog that persists or develops during the three months after their initial infection, and more than 65 percent of those with long Covid report neurological symptoms too. In recent years, the term has also become closely associated with the cognitive impairment many people experience during or after a bout with Covid-19. Some people experience a form of brain fog after indulging in a big meal, during particularly stressful periods of life, or when undergoing big hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause.īrain fog can also be a symptom of illness it can occur with Lyme disease, lupus and multiple sclerosis, after cancer treatment or even during a particularly bad cold. Though it isn’t an official clinical diagnosis that would end up in a medical chart, brain fog can arise after several sleepless nights, while taking certain medications like antihistamines, or as a result of jet lag - among many other scenarios. If you’re feeling sluggish and forgetful, easily distracted or completely overwhelmed by mundane tasks, you may be experiencing a common phenomenon known as brain fog. What were you just saying? Did you need to pick up chicken and carrots on your way home, or was it just the chicken? Why is it suddenly so hard to pay attention to what you’re doing, and why does it feel like your brain is suddenly 30 years older than you are? The blank space in your mind, when it appears, can be confusing. Is this brain fog, and is there anything I can do to fix it? Q: I have a hard time remembering things and often feel exhausted, like I can’t clear my head at all.
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