Brain fog is characterized as a mental fuzziness or lack of clarity. Some of the characteristics of brain fog can include:
- Difficultly grasping thoughts
- Problems finding the right words to say
- Problems concentrating or remembering what you are doing
- Mental exhaustion
The term “brain fog” has been associated with many medical conditions including lupus, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease and menopause. Patients receiving chemotherapy have also reported experiencing brain fog. Most recently, the term has been mentioned as a long-term side effect of COVID-19 patients. Many of these patients, referred to as “long haulers” are currently living with this condition.
Regardless of the cause for your brain fog, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is offering the following tips to help you manage this condition:
- Get more sleep – Sleep deprivation can make it difficult for you to think clearly during the day. It is recommended that you receive 8-9 hours of sleep every night.
- Exercise your body– Physical activity doesn’t only offer benefits for your body, it can also help improve memory and reaction time.
- Exercise your brain – Regularly challenge your brain power by participating in puzzles and other activities. Also seek other enjoyable activities that will keep your brain engaged.
- Decrease stress – Identify coping skills such as removing stressful elements in your life and saying no to requests that can cause stress. Meditation and journaling are also good techniques to help you manage
- Monitor your diet – A diet lacking in vitamins (such as B12) and minerals can lead to poor brain function. Some suggested foods to incorporate into your diet include walnuts, fatty fishes, blueberries and turmeric.
- Check your medications – Certain migraine and anti-seizure prescriptions as well as over-the-counter sleep aid and allergy medications can have potential side-effects linked to brain fog.
If you are currently living with conditions associated with brain fog as a result of COVID-19, Flushing Hospital has opened a Post-COVID Care Center to help you manage your long-hauler symptoms. We incorporate a holistic approach to care for our patients, combining the best of conventional medicine and alternative therapies.
To make an appointment, please call 718-736-8204.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.