I know that we all have forgotten what we were saying mid-conversation or have spent 10 minutes looking for our keys. For most people, these are quick and sporadic events. But for those with chronic illnesses, it can be very different. Those with chronic illnesses generally use the term ‘brain fog’ (or something similar) to explain their moments of forgetfulness. But what is brain fog? Is it even a real thing?!? While it may sound like something from a horror movie, it’s quite the opposite.
What is Brain Fog?
Everyone has probably dealt with it at one time or another since it has many names. You may have heard of baby brain, chemo brain, Fibro fog or even Lupus fog just to name a few. But what is it really? Well, brain fog is a very broad term that encompasses lots of issues including problems focusing, learning, and memory. It can even cause short episodes of confusion or disorientation. This can also be a source of anxiety for some. While brain fog is probably not a serious condition, it is very frustrating and can interfere with daily life.
So what causes this condition? According to Healthline (https://www.healthline.com/health/brain-fog), brain fog can be caused by a wide array of conditions. Ranging from stress to lack of sleep, and hormonal changes to diet and medications. Based on this list of causes, it isn’t a condition that only the chronically ill deal with, it can potentially affect anyone.
Since we know what brain fog is, and have an idea of what causes it, let’s look at some things that are difficult for those dealing with brain fog.
Activities That Are Difficult When You Are Experiencing Brain Fog
Carrying on a conversation– For someone dealing with brain fog issues, it can be very hard at times to carry on a conversation. This is the case because at times it is difficult to continue a train of thought. If something distracts you, your whole train of thought may be gone, and you may or may not remember where you were going with what you were saying.
Writing – At times you may actually lose words altogether or use the wrong words. Yes, this is pretty normal for all people, but for people dealing with brain
Holding down a job– Not everyone who has issues with brain fog will have problems keeping a job. But for some with more extreme cases, it may be hard to continue to work, especially if you are in a job where speaking or writing may be part of your job description. This is because, as we talked about before, those two areas are sometimes the hardest for people dealing with this issue.
Remembering dates or appointments– This is often a BIG struggle for those dealing with brain fog. For many, chances are if you didn’t write down your next doctor’s appointment or dinner with a friend on a calendar, you may forget it. It is not intentional and can be hard for others to understand. But unless it’s on a calendar, the chances are high that you will forget something.
Cooking – This can actually be a potentially dangerous problem. Like with any other task it is easy for those dealing with this condition to walk away from the stove when they are distracted by something else. It also can be difficult at times to remember those recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Brain fog may seem like a joke or something, and we know how funny it can be at times when we use
For more information on brain fog, check out Healthline’s 13 Things You Know Too Well If You Live with Brain Fog, as well as WebMD’s Reasons You May Have Brain Fog.
Amber writes at theworldseesnormal.com. She is a Registered Nurse by trade but due to her illness, she is no longer able to work outside the home, though her years of medical background give her a different point of view on many topics. Her goal in life has become raising awareness for the issues those with chronic conditions face, as well as for the conditions themselves. She also wants to make sure that those suffering from a chronic illness know that they are not alone in their fight.
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