What do I mean by “brain fog”? When your head feels like it’s stuffed with cotton and you can’t string two sentences together, or when you feel kinda spacey and you can’t think straight. Have you been there?
There are many possible causes of brain fog, which is not really a diagnosis as such, but a symptom. These include low blood sugar, anemia, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, adrenal depletion, sleep deprivation, food or environmental allergies and electronic device overload. Three of the most common causes I see in my practice are as follows:
1. Candida (Yeast) Overgrowth – You might know of this problem that arises after using antibiotics, which also kill the beneficial bacteria our bodies need to function properly. This then allows the (also normally beneficial) Candida fungus to overgrow, leading to vaginal yeast infections or even body-wide yeast infections. It is this latter condition that can lead to brain fog, as candida and its by-products are neurotoxic. It will worsen with increased intake of sugar (including fruit and simple carbohydrates). Dietary changes and thorough anti-fungal treatment will definitely help.
2. Thyroid Problems – An improperly functioning thyroid gland is quite common and often undiagnosed. In hypothyroid conditions, your brain literally feels like it is not working. You may also have difficulty concentrating or short term memory loss. Other signs of hypothyroid include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, a hoarse voice and depression. Even if your blood tests are “normal”, you may still have a problem. If you are in the low “normal” range, and you match the above symptoms, ask your physician to prescribe a trial dose of medication. It can’t hurt you, and it just might make you feel much better. A better option than synthetic thyroid hormone replacement is a glandular thyroid support formula. Let me know if you have questions about this option.
3. Sinus Problems – Any inflammation in the sinuses will make you feel like your head is swimming. What causes this inflammation? Some causes are allergies (obvious or subtle) and their production of histamine; candida build-up (see above); chronic low-grade sinus infections; and mold exposure in the home or office. Do some detective work and troubleshoot this for yourself. Do you feel better after taking an anti-histamine product? Do you feel worse after eating sugar? Do you feel okay at home but not at your office? Do you feel like you’re fighting the same cold all year long?
It sucks to have a foggy brain. I hope some of these ideas help you. I’d love to hear your feedback.
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