Clarity on brain fog

While not a formal medical term, “brain fog” is a common way to describe having difficulty concentrating. The definition can be pretty broad, but Michael Gebel, MD, a neurologist with Baptist Neurology Group, helped bring clarity to the condition.

What is brain fog?

The term is used to describe cognitive issues like memory problems, lack of mental clarity, confusion or forgetfulness.

“In the medical field, we call an altered mental state ‘encephalopathy’ or ‘delirium,’” explained Dr. Gebel. “The layperson may refer to it as brain fog. These are broad terms that describe people who aren’t thinking things through clearly or who have a decreased level of consciousness.”

Dr. Gebel stressed that “there is no such thing as ‘normal’ brain fog” and you should consult a doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms.

What causes brain fog?

Some of the most common causes include:

• Medication-related side effects
• Lack of sleep
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Having long-COVID-19 or other infections
• Depression
• Nutritional deficiencies like low vitamin B12 and iron

The most important thing to remember is that brain fog shouldn’t just happen overnight.

“If you develop brain fog for no obvious reason, seek immediate medical attention,” said Dr. Gebel. “It could be an indication of something serious, so it’s best to get it checked out.”

If taking a medication leads to brain fog, reach out to the prescribing doctor to discuss alternatives. However, don't stop taking a medication without consulting your doctor first, Dr. Gebel cautioned.

Is pregnancy causing my brain fog?

While you may have heard the phrases “pregnancy brain” or “mom brain,” these phenomena are not necessarily linked to encephalopathy. Hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, anxiety and stress, and distractibility are likely why new and expectant moms have difficulty focusing during pregnancy or early motherhood.

Use it or lose it

“To help prevent brain fog and improve cognition, we go back to the timeless strategy of ‘use it or lose it,’” said Dr. Gebel. He recommended good nutrition, social interaction, puzzles and reading as reliable ways to maintain a healthy mind. Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and drugs is also key to preventing the fog.

In addition to causing brain fog through long-COVID-19, the pandemic and its mental health impacts also increased the prevalence of encephalopathy. According to the World Health Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide.

People with these conditions often also have brain fog.