Got Brain Fog?
In the last few years, I’ve watched brain fog climb to near-pandemic proportions.
Many of my patients report feeling this debilitating condition at times. I’ve experienced it as well.
So what is this nebulous condition, and why is it so common? Lately, I’ve spent a significant amount of time diving into the murkiness of the brain fog in hopes of identifying what’s going on and, more importantly, what tools we have to mitigate it.
Perhaps the biggest challenge with brain fog is nonspecific symptoms. I’ve heard patients describe it as having a foggy head, concentration struggles, chronic fatigue, or poor mental clarity. The list goes on.
To make matters worse, it impacts all areas of life.
Sadly, most doctors in traditional settings have too little time to devote to such a multi-faceted problem. If they can’t blame thyroid or blood sugar abnormalities, they chalk it up to stress, poor sleep, or lack of exercise and send you out the door.
You want more.
You deserve better.
To start with, let’s establish something critical—it’s real. It can be debilitating. It’s not in your head.
In my clinical practice, I’ve found that this multifactorial condition may be associated with the following:
- Hormone dysfunction
- Metabolic dysfunction
- Toxin exposure
- Chronic infections
- Viral reactivation syndromes
- Chronic inflammation
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Gut microbiome imbalance and/or leaky gut
- Poor sleep
- Chronic stress
- Physical inactivity
Given the reality of these past few years, insomnia and chronic stress may have wreaked havoc on your physical and mental health. This can lead to adrenal fatigue and cortisol dysregulation, which raises inflammation and ultimately leads to brain fog.
Toss in one or more conditions from the list above, and discovering the root cause of brain fog requires an integrative approach.
How does an integrative approach work?
Many conditions that affect brain fog can be diagnosed with Functional Medicine tests. Checking hormone balance, nutrient levels, and potential toxin exposure is a great place to start.
I’ve also found chronic viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr and Lyme disease, in workups.
If you come to Integrate Internal Medicine seeking help with brain fog, we’ll gather data to identify the root cause. This is how you can get back on your feet and start thinking sharply again.
Ready for clarity?
Schedule a functional medicine consult or consider becoming a patient today.
The Empowered Patient
Dr. Kate
Bonus Tip: Adaptogens like Ashwagandha help the body adapt to stress.
