1/1/2024 0 Comments Brain fog testThere is currently an absence of ‘brain fog biomarkers’ capable of objectively identifying it, however a computer based test called the Subtle Cognitive Impairment test is capable of detecting the associated neurological impairment."ĭr Sarkhel says doctors can look at previous episodes to work out if brain fog is present due to an underlying health or lifestyle issue.īrianAJackson Getty Images How is brain fog treated? "The non-specific neurological symptoms that the term encompasses are associated with numerous diseases as described. "Brain fog is yet to be formally recognised as a medical or psychological condition and it is therefore not a diagnosis in its own right," Dr Harper explains. Recovering from anaesthesia can also be a cause of brain fog." How is brain fog diagnosed? Sometimes side effects of medications like steroids, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Many of the conditions and lifestyle pressures associated with brain fog feature both inflammation and gut microbial imbalance."ĭr Sarkhel adds: "Possible physical health conditions which can cause brain fog are infection leading to impaired cognitive function (often that's temporary), migraine, dehydration or hormonal imbalance. ![]() "It may also be the result of lifestyle and environmental pressures such as poor diet, lack of exercise, mental stress, alcohol and some medicines such as chemotherapy. "In coeliac disease, brain fog may occur following the inadvertent ingestion of gluten, and the symptoms improve on a gluten-free diet. "Brain fog is experienced by around 70% of those suffering with migraine headaches and is usually a feature of the post-attack phase when it may persist for days," he adds. "It is associated with numerous conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine, multiple sclerosis (MS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease, gluten sensitivity, Crohn’s disease, depression, and the menopause." ![]() "The exact cause of brain fog is not entirely clear," Dr Harper says. Treatments for COVID-19, including sedation, intubation and various medications, may also come with cognitive side effects.AnsonLu Getty Images What causes brain fog? Everything from poor heart and lung function to the social isolation caused by COVID-19 can affect cognitive processes. While early studies don't show any correlation between severity of disease and long-hauler symptoms such as brain fog, it makes sense that a brain starving for oxygen is likely to become compromised. "Once the virus that causes COVID-19 reaches the olfactory bulb, it can travel long the olfactory pathways to other places in the brain. Kremen, director of the Neurobehavior Program at the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer's and Memory Disorders. When these neurons are affected, the resulting condition-from coronavirus or any other virus-is anosmia," says Dr. "A virus can enter the nasal passages where it can then access nerves that lead into the brain. However, there may be a link between the condition and anosmia (losing the sense of smell and taste) during active infection. Scientists don't yet know who is likely to suffer from post-COVID-19 brain fog. It may be months before the data provides a clear picture of this post-COVID-19 "brain fog," but experts suspect that the stress of navigating COVID-19 coupled with the virus's physical toll on the body is resulting in a significant cognitive hit for a subset of patients. ![]() Rachel Zabner, an infectious disease specialist and co-director of Cedars-Sinai's COVID-19 Recovery Program along with Dr. "What we're seeing with COVID-19 is similar to infectious complications we've seen with other viruses, such as SARS and H1N1," explains Dr. Wondering how a respiratory virus can lead to cognitive effects that last for weeks? It turns out, some sort of mental fallout after an infectious illness is not uncommon. Particularly concerning for doctors and patients alike are lingering side effects, such as memory loss, reduced attention and an inability to think straight. A full year has passed since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the mind-boggling aftermath of the virus continues to confuse doctors and scientists.
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