As many of you with neurological Lyme, one of the worst symptoms of mine was brain fog (always accompanied by fatigue). As I mentioned earlier, I would forget my own phone number, I would not be able to complete simple tasks. During one of the worst episodes of brain fog I got into major car accident. Brain fog is caused by load of neurotoxins that Lyme produces as well as by other factors.
Brain fog may be the result of:
Adrenal fatigue syndrome – The adrenal glands fail to produce key hormones that effectively regulate the body’s stress response. Asa result, adrenal fatigue syndrome can cause brain fog symptoms due to the body’s inability to handle stress effectively.
Insomnia / sleep deprivation – Sleep is crucial for optimal brain function. Lack of adequate sleep can affect mood, cause depression, anxiety, and clouded thinking.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) – Chronic fatigue syndrome is known for its overwhelming fatigue. CFS affects concentration, short-term memory and disrupts healthy sleep patterns.
Nutritional deficiencies – Nutritional deficiencies can affect brain function, due to a lack of nutrients necessary for optimal brain function. Deficiencies of magnesium, vitamin B-12, and amino acids can cause significant brain impairment such as lack of concentration, short-term memory loss, attention deficit, and spaciness (or lack of focus).
Candidiasis – Systemic yeast overgrowth can cause depression, anxiety, sudden mood swings, lack of concentration, headaches, drowsiness, and/or fatigue.
Disorders such as fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis (MS) – Fibromyalgia and MS are both nervous system disorders that affect brain function, leading to, in many cases, overwhelming fatigue, pain, depression, and anxiety.
Chronic viral infections such as Epstein-Barr, Lyme disease, hepatitis, cytomegalovirus – Viral infections can reach the brain and can significantly disrupt thinking and mood.
Parasitic organisms found in the brain – Parasitic infections such as tapeworm can invade the brain and cause symptoms of acute mental illness such as depression and psychosis in more than 65% of cases. Parasitic infections outside of the brain that can produce psychiatric symptoms include giardia, ascaris psychosis, trichinosis, and Lyme Disease, among many others.
Heavy metal toxicity – The most common heavy metals that humans are exposed to are aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. These often accumulate in brain tissue and are difficult to excrete in many cases. Some people—especially those who suffer from chronic conditions—cannot excrete neurotoxic heavy metals efficiently and a build-up occurs, causing brain fog symptoms.
Reduced blood flow to the brain due to circulatory problems – Lack of blood flow to the brain disrupts brain function. Thick blood can also slow down blood flow to the brain, causing brain dysfunction.
Blood sugar issues such as hypoglycemia or diabetes – Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can cause significant symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and clouded thinking.
Overuse of artificial sweeteners and MSG – Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame and flavor enhancers are considered excitotoxins, meaning that they are toxic to the brain, and can disrupt brain function.
Allergies and food intolerances such as to gluten and lactose – Many patients who are lactose and/or gluten intolerant find that their brain function often suffers as a result of allergies to these substances.
Leaky gut syndrome – When the gut becomes more permeable, larger particles escape into the bloodstream and may pass the blood brain barrier, causing a wide variety of mental symptoms such as mood disturbance, depression, anxiety, fatigue, lack of concentration and focus, and short-term memory loss.
Side effects of prescription and over-the-counter medications – It’s always important to double check with your pharmacist for medication side effects that can disrupt brain function. Many medications have side effects that disrupt mental health and may cause symptoms ranging from depression, anxiety and agitation, to severe conditions such as psychosis and suicidal ideation.
Constipation – Brain fog may be caused by bowel toxicity due to inefficient digestive system that is not able to effectively eliminate toxins from the body.
Menopause – Many women experience brain fog due to fluctuating hormone levels during perimenopause and menopause. Lowered estrogen levels may cause mood fluctuations and unclear thinking, depression, and anxiety.
Sick building syndrome (fumes from new carpets, paints, insulation, chipboard, wood treatments, pesticides, carbon monoxide, poor ventilation) – Chemicals used during construction and for building fumigation may cause significant brain impairment in individuals sensitive or allergic to these chemicals.
There are a number of methods that can be used to help relieve brain fog. Brain fog is a term to describe impaired or slowed thought, and is a common symptom experienced by individuals with adrenal fatigue. There are many brain fog relief remedies to help improve energy levels, mental clarity and brain function.
A natural way to relieve brain fog is to consume foods that provide you with adequate nutrition. Getting sufficient nutrients and minerals in your diet is an important way of improving brain function and energy levels in the body. You should eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, wholegrain foods and foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. You can take natural supplements, containing essential nutrients and supplements, like multivitamin and vitamin B12, to help improve mental function and relieve brain fog.
You should always drink plenty of water with lemon to help with brain fog relief. Adequate hydration is vital for the brain and enhances mental function. Also, drinking lots of water helps flush out toxins in the body, which can improve brain function.
Physical activity assists with proper functioning of the brain. It improves blood circulation in the body, increases oxygen flow to the brain and boosts energy levels. Exercise also stimulates the production of ‘feel-good’ chemicals such as serotonin and endorphins, which help regulate mood and cognitive function.
Getting adequate sleep can help relieve brain fog and ensure optimal brain function. You should aim at getting eight hours of sleep every night. (I know, some of you are in bed for 12 hours just to wake up still tired, it will go away, I promise!) This will help you stay energetic and alert during the day, and help improve brain function and provide relief from brain fog.
There are several herbal remedies and supplements that can help provide brain fog relief. One popular herbal supplement for relieving brain fog is gingko bilboa. This supplement is said to act by dilating blood vessels to allow improved circulation and increased oxygen to the brain. In doing so, it promotes memory and cognitive brain function. Also “Pinella” from Nutramedix is great. Some people swear by Turmeric.
For me personally best relieve from brain fog was detox such as sweating. No matter how tired and foggy I felt, I would go for a run and I always felt better even for a bit. The best brain fog elevation treatment for me was hyperthermia , i.e. sauna or even better – hot yoga. (I do not recommend steam room just because municipal water is chlorinated and while in a steam room you will inhale too much toxic chlorine). As soon as I start sweating load of toxins leave my body through sweat and I felt better immediately. Also, taking activated charcoal, coffee enemas, and drinking plenty of water with lemon worked for me. As far as supplements, Dr. Shultze’s “Cayenne” tincture worked wonders! His formula is so potent, it increased circulation and blood flow to the brain within minutes.
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