Characterized by forgetfulness, a lack of focus, reduced mental clarity, and confusion, brain fog can affect a person’s physical and mental health. If you continually feel tired, distracted, and disoriented, you may struggle to focus at work, on your relationships, and on yourself.
People who experience brain fog struggle to complete tasks, develop frequent headaches, have memory problems, and often feel fuzzy and spaced out. Brain fog is more common in people in their 50s and older, but people in their 40s can also experience the condition.
In this blog, we’ll offer a closer look at why you may be experiencing brain fog. We’ll also present you with a few theories that may shed some light on its causes and help you treat or overcome it.
1. You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep
Impaired sleep is one of the leading causes of brain fog in young, healthy adults. If you fail to get sufficient sleep every night, your natural circadian rhythm will be disrupted. This, in turn, will affect your cognitive function. You’ll feel more tired, exhausted, lethargic, foggy, and unfocused.
We recommend getting 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night. As you get enough sleep and maintain a consistent sleep schedule, you’ll notice an improvement in concentration levels and overall brain function.
2. Your Diet Isn’t Balanced
Dietary deficiencies can also trigger brain fog in young individuals. Vitamin B12 is responsible for the formation of red blood cells. It also plays a big role in the maintenance of the central nervous system. If you don’t get enough vitamin B12, your energy levels will drop, causing fatigue.
Additionally, vitamin D deficiency can impair cognitive function, resulting in brain fog.
3. Hormonal Changes
In many cases, hormonal changes increase fatigue and grogginess in young adults. Estrogen and progesterone levels naturally increase during pregnancy. These changes trigger short-term cognitive impairment and affect the individual’s memory.
Estrogen levels also drop during menopause, resulting in a similar set of symptoms.
If you are getting enough sleep and eating right but are still experiencing brain fog, a doctor may be able to help you find answers. At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we create individualized treatment plans for patients with brain fog. Depending on your symptoms, you may be required to modify your lifestyle, including changes in your exercise habits or diet. Your condition may vary, so talk to your doctor to get a thorough diagnosis and get a treatment plan that’s right for you.
We also offer treatment plans for joint pain, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, spine pain, and a wide range of other conditions.