Plagued by Brain Fog? Uncovering the Hidden Neurological Causes

We've all had those days when we feel a little more befuddled than usual — when our brains don't seem to be cooperating with us. You forget a familiar name, lose your train of thought halfway through a sentence, or stare blankly at your computer screen, trying in vain to remember what it was you were about to do. 

Occasional lapses like these — though annoying — typically aren’t a cause for concern. But when that foggy feeling becomes a regular part of your day, it’s time to evaluate these symptoms.

While brain fog isn’t a distinct medical problem, it can be an underlying issue. Sometimes, that issue can be as simple as not getting enough sleep, dehydration, or a particularly stressful time. Hormonal fluctuations like the ones that happen during menopause can play a role, too. However, brain fog can be a neurological issue.

At Advanced Medical Care, our team specializes in diagnosing and managing neurological issues, including cognitive changes like brain fog. Learn what some of those issues are and why an early evaluation is essential for your health.

Brain fog: Neurological triggers to know about

While poor sleep and stress can cause brain fog and general cognitive disruption, if your symptoms persist or worsen, it’s time to address other triggers, including issues that your nerves and nervous system affect directly or indirectly. 

Each of these issues can interfere with your concentration or memory, or your brain’s ability to process incoming information.

Migraine

Migraines are most often associated with severe, pounding headaches, but that’s just one potential symptom. Many people experience trouble concentrating or focusing during or between episodes. 

What’s more, some migraines don’t cause headaches at all, making it harder to know when cognitive issues are related — but there may be clues. For instance, if your brain fog is often accompanied by light sensitivity, visual changes, nausea, or other migraine symptoms, migraines could be to blame for your cognitive problems, too.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is best known for causing seizures, but not every seizure looks like visible shaking or loss of consciousness. Some seizures can also involve brief periods of confusion or changes in awareness, as well as disruptions in normal cognitive function. 

If your episodes of brain fog are sudden, unusual, or difficult to explain or describe, scheduling an exam with our team is the first step to determine what’s happening.

Sleep disorders

As many as 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, and while it’s tempting to associate these disorders solely with feelings of persistent tiredness, symptoms are actually far-reaching. Disorders like narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia can also cause problems with attention, memory, and concentration — the hallmark symptoms of brain fog. 

The bottom line is that your brain needs adequate, restorative sleep to function well. If you have sleep issues — sleeping too little, sleeping too much, falling asleep unexpectedly, or never feeling rested — alongside symptoms of brain fog, our team can evaluate you for sleep disorders that may be playing a role.

Neurodegenerative conditions

Because your brain activity — including cognitive function — depends so heavily on nerve connections and communication, it makes sense that virtually any neurodegenerative condition could cause or contribute to brain fog.

For instance, millions of people are affected by Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer’s disease — and both can cause brain fog symptoms in addition to other, more well-known symptoms. 

Likewise, multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly associated with symptoms like numbness, muscle weakness, balance problems, and vision issues. But because it damages nerves and disrupts nerve communication over time, MS frequently causes cognitive symptoms, too.

Do not brush off persistent brain fog

Everyone has an off day, and mild cognitive issues do, unfortunately, become more common with age.  That said, if feeling foggy is persistent —  more or less becomes your new normal — it’s time to have your symptoms evaluated. 

At Advanced Medical Care, our neurologists can evaluate persistent problems with memory, concentration, and thinking and look for neurological or other factors that could be the cause. 

To learn the cause of your symptoms and what we can do to help, request an appointment online or call our team at our Forest Hills, Queens, and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York, locations.