WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BRAIN FOG
Have you ever experienced brain fog? That is when your brain feels full of puffy clouds instead of neurons and axons.
The trouble is, this fog doesn’t show up on a brain scan, and sometimes a misdiagnosis can happen.
I have had brain fog so seriously that I received a medicine given to patients with Alzheimer’s disease after struggling through 3 days of neuro-psychological testing in Boston. Some of the symptoms include.
• Difficulty concentrating
• Diminished memory
• Finding it hard to focus
• Poor communication skills
• Low motivation
• Easily distracted
WHAT CAUSES BRAIN FOG?
Briefly, brain fog results from an imbalance in the brain’s control center, the hypothalamus. This imbalance can be a result of inflammation or stress brought on by several factors, such as:
• Multi-tasking
• Exhaustion
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Imbalanced hormones
• Infections
• Not getting enough sun exposure
• Substance abuse
I was evaluated by numerous doctors and clinics in Boston who couldn’t do any better than say my mental changes were “part of having MS.”
My medical records indicated my cognitive functioning was, shall we say, a notch or two lower than Dekker, my black lab, in the ability to focus and remember department.
It was devastating to hear this conclusion because they were saying they could do nothing more. “It’s goes with having MS.”
That’s when I visited a naturopath and began to learn about the impact of lifestyle choices on my brain.
CAN BRAIN FOG BE CURED?
I learned that mental fog could result from a busy, nonstop lifestyle for anyone, not just for someone with a neurological diagnosis.
And it could be associated with what we eat.
Now, this is sensitive territory. I like to eat! Always have.
Not a big fan of junk food I also had been a vegetarian for a couple of years. So I didn’t quite believe what the naturopath was telling me.
With nothing to lose, supplements – along with significant changes to my diet became a way of life.
I cut way back on processed foods and avoided gluten in all products.
And believe me – it is sneaky how many commercial products have this substance in them. Soy sauce was a surprise to me until I discovered Bragg’s Aminos as a substitute.
Apparently, processed foods, foods high in saturated fats, and gluten all harm the brain.
Studies have shown gluten sensitivity has been linked to low concentration and focus abilities.
I love to bake homemade bread. This was not good news -but neither is brain fog!
So what can be done if your thinking seems to be stalling out?
Indeed, a thorough medical evaluation is appropriate.
A FEW CHANGES THAT HELPED ME
Here are some of the other lifestyle practices that you may find helpful. Only by giving these a complete trial can any doctor make a meaningful and accurate diagnosis.
I began with diet changes. Eliminating gluten was the most significant change.
It impacted things like eating in restaurants or with friends, baking loaves of bread at home, and dealing with the loss of a yummy taste and texture that had been a staple all my life.
But the payoff was big! I could read a book or listen to a movie all the way through. Carrying on a conversation without getting distracted and sleeping better at night were added gifts!
I have never been a long sleeper, so the hours haven’t changed. But my sleep became qualitatively much different.
Walking increased dramatically. If you wonder how someone with MS can walk enough to matter, read my article about my ‘Afari,’ a recently developed walking bike for anyone with walking challenges. I love that bike!!
And the last thing was learning how to carve out’ me time’. It isn’t selfish to balance family, work, and social responsibilities with ways to ‘chill out.’
Calling it ‘flat time,’ and I kick back and daydream several times a day.
Being retired is helpful for this rhythm.
TESTING THE “CURE”
In this last year, I confess going off all the things that I knew were keeping me clear-headed and focused.
Along with putting on a lot of weight, the big puffy clouds came back, messing up my focus and concentration once again.
ByeBye wheat!
Here it is, three weeks later, no more gluten. No more fog! I feel back!
If you find yourself struggling to focus, think clearly, or remember, you may want to consider the impact of wheat on your brain. In support of what the naturopath was teaching me, I also read a couple of good books and I’ll put the links in here.
Wheat Belly by William DavisGrain Brain by David Perlmutter
Life is such an incredible journey. Especially when you are at least as alert as your dog.
[Photo Credits from Unsplash: Spy sauce by Goodeats; fog hiding mountain by anna-goncharova; puffy clouds by billy-huynh; model of brain by robina-weermeijer; alert dog by andrew-pons]
