Why fuzzy head

It affects a variety of mental processes, including memory and concentration. It can occur with multiple sclerosis , during pregnancy, and as a result of lifestyle factors, such as stress , lack of sleep, or an unhealthful diet.

Learn more in this article about what brain fog is and what causes brain fog, and get some tips on how to manage it. Brain fog can make a person feel as if the processes of thinking, understanding, and remembering are not working as they should. If one or more of these functions does not work effectively, it can be difficult to understand, focus, and remember things. It can lead to stress and mental fatigue. People who live with MS may experience some changes in their ability to make decisions and to process and remember information.

However, they can lead to frustration and difficulty completing daily tasks, such as finding house keys or shopping for groceries.

Learn more here about MS. Chronic fatigue syndrome CFS is another chronic, or long-term, condition. It can result in severe tiredness and problems with thinking. Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects how someone thinks and feels.

Problems with memory, focus, and decision-making can contribute to the feeling of brain fog. There may also be problems with sleeping and a lack of energy, which can make concentrating and completing tasks harder. Stress and anxiety can also make it difficult to think clearly. One small study from found that hormonal changes during the menopausal transition made it harder for women to take in and remember new information and to focus their attention on challenging tasks.

Memory and thinking problems that are similar to brain fog are common in thyroid disorders. What is hypothyroidism? Learn more here. Some people experience unusual changes in heart rate and blood pressure when standing up, a condition doctors call postural tachycardia syndrome POTS. Find out more here about POTS. Sometimes cognitive symptoms can point to a larger difficulty that can be identified by a specialist who works with patients with cognitive difficulties.

So, following up with your doctor is important. To find a Banner Health specialist near you, visit bannerhealth. By Regan Olsson , Contributing Writer. Jan 12, Better Me. Darn it! Where did I park my car again? Wait, what was I saying?

What is brain fog? While we mostly relate inflammation to joints, did you know your brain can become inflamed too? Depending on the severity of brain fog, it can interfere with work or school. There are numerous explanations for why brain fog occurs. Once you identify the underlying cause, you can begin fixing the problem. Here are six possible causes. Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and trigger depression.

It can also cause mental fatigue. When your brain is exhausted, it becomes harder to think, reason, and focus. The effects of stress on the body ». Poor sleep quality can also interfere with how well your brain functions. Aim for 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Sleeping too little can lead to poor concentration and cloudy thoughts. Causes and risk factors for insomnia ». Hormonal changes can also trigger brain fog.

Levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen increase during pregnancy. This change can affect memory and cause short-term cognitive impairment. Similarly, a drop in estrogen level during menopause can cause forgetfulness, poor concentration, and cloudy thinking.

Learn the connection: Memory loss and menopause ». Exercise more. Try to get minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, such as brisk walking. You'll get more sleep and boost blood flow to the brain. Many studies have shown that aerobic exercise in particular improves thinking skills. Change your diet. Studies have shown the Mediterranean diet may improve cognitive function," says Dr.

The diet includes fresh vegetables and fruits; whole grains; olive oil; nuts; legumes; fish; moderate amounts of poultry, eggs, and dairy; moderate amounts of red wine; and red meat only sparingly. To continue reading this article, you must log in. Already a member? Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.