RSD Ribbon of Hope

RSD finally made it to the list of social security disability qualifying conditions...

SSDI Qualifying Conditions: What conditions automatically qualify you for disability benefits? According to the most recent data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), over 10 million individuals are currently receiving Social Security benefits based on disability.

How Does CRPS Affect the Circulatory System?

To understand why CRPS is the most painful disease known to humankind, and why CRPS is considered a permanent, uncurbable disease, it is important to understand how CRPS affects the circulatory system so that you can learn how to increase blood oxygen to decrease pain. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, CRPS, causes vasoconstriction due to the misfiring of communication between the nervous system and the vascular system. Vasoconstriction can cause severe pain due to the increase in carbon dioxide and loss of blood oxygen, causing severe burning pain, allodynia, hyperalgesia, and other painful symptoms. According to the McGill Index, the most painful disease known to humankind, and CRPS is a permanent disease with no cure.

Why Does CRPS Cause Burning Pain, Discolored Skin & Skin Temp Changes?
CRPS is known as the most painful disease in the world compared to child birth, or the removal of a limb, because it is like groundhog day for our Sympathetic Nervous System and the pain never goes away. The nervous system somehow "broke" and got caught in a loop, and there is no cure, and no treatment that can effectively stop the pain.

But, what is wildly unknown, is why patients with CRPS have burning pain, discolored skin, and too cold, or too hot skin temperatures.

We can answer that.

We know that CRPS affects the nervous system - which is no longer communicating correctly with the vascular system. Not only is this a problem, but it is a huge problem. This loss of information impacts the peripheral region (on limb or area) where the original area was injured, and eventually impacts the entire body.

The neurotransmitters (CGRP & Substance P (CGRPs)) that are necessary for transmitting the information to the autonomic nervous & sympathetic nervous system to properly regulate our blood flow, blood pressure, skin temperature, and more (see below) are created in the pineal gland. They require blood oxygen to form, and when the vascular system stops working correctly, it stops creating blood oxygen. This creates a massive downhill impact which leads to burning pain, discolored skin, and changes in skin temperature.

These are the most recognizable symptoms of CRPS, and are caused because of the lack of blood oxygen and the build-up of carbon dioxide.

While there is no known cure for the disease, and to date, no therapy that can fully treat the disease, there are treatments that can help carry oxygenated red blood cells and nutrients through the arteries and capillaries to all the organs of the body.

With increased circulation, the blood will provide oxygen and nutrients to the cells, the cells in turn transfer carbon dioxide and waste products to the blood cells, which are then processed through the veins.

What is Microcirculation?
Microcirculation is critical to a healthy body and to the cardiovascular system, as the body requires circulation to carry oxygen, nutrients and vitamins to all of the cells in the body. Understanding how CRPS affects the vascular system is key when understanding the disease.

Without blood oxygen, nutrients and vitamins, the body cannot survive. Circulation carries the blood through large and small blood vessels, and brings life to the cells, at every level.

The microcirculation is the circulation of the blood in the smallest blood vessels, including the micro vessels of the microvasculature present within organ tissues (often affected by full-body CRPS). The micro vessels include terminal arterioles, metarterioles, capillaries, and venules. Without blood oxygen, the cells, tissues, organs, will die.

Cells include the;

Myelin (protective covering around the nerves called a "sheathe) - without the myelin, the A & C fiber nerves will have "cross talk" and cause intense, burning pain
Nerves
Organs
Tissue
Muscle
Skin
Bone

When the body is sick with disease or injury, and the body is unable to deliver blood oxygen to these cells. Generally, the myelin is the first to die, as it is the most vulnerable, which is why burning pain is one of the first symptoms those who suffer from CRPS experience first.

It is critical to increase circulation to help decrease pain related to CRPS symptoms.

Skin Discoloration and Changes in Skin Temperatures
CRPS, at it's core, is insufficient circulation at the cellular level of the body.

Insufficient circulation causes decreased oxygen, and increased carbon dioxide, which causes PAIN. Pain decreases the production of a very important neurotransmitter called CGRP, which stands for Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide. CGRP lives at the crux of CRPS and is a very important neurotransmitter that requires 10 times the amount of blood oxygen of other cells to create it, and it that plays a critical role for anyone with CRPS.

This creates one big cycle of a problem.

Why does CRPS make my skin cold?

The patient has full body CRPS, and as seen through thermal imaging, the left index finger is at 69.8ºF, when it should be at 93ºF. Too much, or not enough CGRP can cause major problems as CGRP has been identified and documented to control the thermostat of skin temperatures of finger and toes.

Reddening of the Skin

CGRP has been identified to cause reddening of the skin, hot flushes aka flashes and is clear from the image below (and it is one of the diagnostic criteria identified by the IASP). When the body is not in balance, it will have many negative impacts.

Science Direct states that:

"CGRP is a neuropeptide that exists in trigeminal ganglia nerves and a potent vasodilator of cerebral blood vessels. CGRP is believed to mediate vasodilatory mechanism of neurogenic inflammation and the transmission of trigeminovascular nociceptive signal from intracranial vessels to central nervous system."

CGRP and Control of Blood Pressure
It is evident in many studies performed that CGRP possesses clear vasomotor activity and these studies have shown a significant increase in blood pressure in its absence. Adding further credence to the hypothesis that CGRP plays a minor role in baseline blood pressure regulation. These studies performed in a variety of species also showed that the injection of the CGRP receptor antagonist CGRP or CGRP receptor-directed antibodies had no effect on systemic blood pressure. Furthermore, injection of the selective CGRP receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS was also shown not to exert an effect on resting heart rate or blood pressure across a range of species, including humans. Therefore, the functional consequences of CGRP are more pronounced within the microcirculation of specific tissues, as opposed to the entire circulation.

Nerve cells can only create oxygen in the presence of adequate oxygen.

The only way to create CGRP is through increased blood oxygen.

Vasodilator, Pain Transmitter, and Inflammation in CRPS
Substance P is a VIP player in our bodies. It does some pretty fantastic things. It is a Vasodilator, Pain Transmitter, and manages inflammation, mood, anxiety, and how much more. If it isn't working right, or we don't have enough, we are in trouble. If you wonder how CRPS can affect the vascular system, reviewing this list can help answer that question.

Substance-P is created in the pancreas and requires blood oxygen to create, but unlike all other cells in the body, “substance P” needs 10 times the amount of oxygen as all other cells in the body to make. That is a major problem, when our circulation isn’t working right, and the pituitary gland isn’t getting the blood oxygen it needs to develop the the substance-P. We already have the problem with CGRP, and we don’t accurately circulate our blood, causing cold limbs and what will eventually grow into other problems, like POTS, and now, we have substance p that is not transferring the pain signal correctly.

Vasodilation
Substance P sits next to CGRP on every nerve and when we move from sitting or laying down to a standing position, CGRP, makes sure that your blood circulates and it doesn’t gravitate to your lower half of your body and stay there so you would faint every time you sit or stand. It’s purpose is so that when you are sitting or lying down, CGRP can regulate the amount of blood and circulate your blood in all of your limbs, legs, skin, bones, and small muscles. Then, as soon as you sit or stand, the CGRP must decrease the amount of blood flow to your lower limbs so that everything doesn’t rush to your feet and it evenly spreads it around your body. When you brain senses that you stand up, your body releases the hormone substance-P to close down circulation at the cellular level.

It has been shown that vasodilatation to substance P is dependent on the NK1 receptor located on the endothelium. Substance P is widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract and can be extracted from other tissues of the body, but in lesser concentrations and belongs to the tachykinin receptor sub-family of GPCRs. It's greatest concentrations are found in the duodenum and colon, but is also present at sites of inflammation. Substance P-containing nerves are abundant at mucosal sites and are in ganglia, spinal cord, brain, airways, and skin and around blood vessels. It is an immediate defense, stress, repair, survival system.

Transmission of Pain Signals
The sensory function of substance P is thought to be related to the transmission of pain information into the central nervous system. Substance P coexists with the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in primary afferents that respond to painful stimulation.

According to Science Direct:

"Substance P (SP) is an undecapeptide that derives from alpha, beta, and gamma pre-protachykinin gene transcripts and is a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator of primary nociceptive afferents."

Inflammation
"Substance P initiates expression of almost all known immunological chemical messengers (cytokines)" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_P) SP is a trigger for nausea and vomiting and other sensory neuropeptides can be released from the peripheral terminals of sensory nerve fibers in the skin, muscle, and joints. It is proposed that this release is involved in neurogenic inflammation, which is a local inflammatory response to certain types of infection or injury, which may be a direct link to what causes the constant inflammatory response seen in CRPS.

Mood, Anxiety, Learning
Substance P has been associated with the regulation of pain, nociception, anxiety, stress and mood disorders. In 2014, a study showed it was found that substance P played a role in male fruit fly aggression2.

Creation of Substance P
As Substance P is created in the pancreas, and takes 10 times the amount of blood oxygen to make, it requires a very healthy body to create enough Subtance P to build a sufficient amount of Subtance P to regulate blood flow, inflammation, pain function, and mood function -- which are all very important things that people fight CRPS need.

There are only two ways to create more blood oxygen - naturally through aerobic exercise or artificially.

How to Create Blood Oxygen
There are only two ways to create vasomotion: naturally, through aerobic exersize, or artifically, through machines, and while CRPS has no cure, and is a permanent disease, there are treatments that can help with the pain so that you don't have to suffer for your whole life.

There are other "natural" ways to create blood oxygen, such as hot baths, honeysuckle teas, cessate smoking, which you can read about here in our article Seven Tips to Increase Blood Oxygen Levels and Reduce Pain in CRPS, but those should be looked at as additional way as the amount of blood oxygen that you need to produce the right amount of blood oxygen to make Substance P and CGRP is substantial.

Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise is the best and most natural way to increase your blood oxygen. Humans have done this since the dawn of time by moving. Aerobic, which means "with oxygen" provides cardiovascular conditioning which creates blood oxygen. The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 5 to 7 days per week and that everyone should get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week.

Add moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity (such as resistance or weights) on at least 2 days per week.

We need to produce the right amount oxygen to create Substance-P. If we don’t, then the nerve sheathes die, causing burning pain, the tissue dies, muscle, skin, even bone, will die, and we have horrible burning pain.

Artificial Vasomotion

If you are unable to create vasomotion through physical exercise, there are some medical devices on the market that can increase microcirculation.

14175 W Indian School RD B4 #282 Goodyear · AZ 85395 · United States
2023 ComplexTruths, INC

CRPS Can Affect Your Blood Pressure

Do you often feel dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up or feel like your heart is pounding at a million miles an hour when you are at rest? Do you worry about your blood pressure? You may wonder if it is possible that CRPS can affect your heart and blood pressure? Your heart an organ that can be directly affected by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, (also called CRPS and previously named RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy until 1994), is a neurological condition that also affects the vascular system due to it's ability to cause vasoconstriction. It is not uncommon for people suffering from CRPS to have problems like Orthostatic Hypotension (low blood pressure on standing) or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) (high blood pressure on standing) can be caused by CRPS. For many people who have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, CRPS, this can be a serious problem. Both Orthostatic Hypotension and POTS are a form of orthostatic intolerance, and the development of symptoms only appear when standing up from a reclining position, and can only be relieved by sitting or lying back down. The main symptoms are increased lightheadedness, fainting, and an uncomfortable, rapid increase in heartbeat, a symptom of CRPS due to vasoconstriction.

*It is important to note that both conditions can only be diagnosed via clinical evaluation by a physician, doctor or cardiologist.

What is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, POTS?
(High Heart Rate)

To someone with CRPS, the fact that CRPS can affect your heart and blood pressure with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which can raise your heartrate upon standing, can be quite scary. When you are already in pain, and your body is already struggling to circulate the blood oxygen around to all of the limbs due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, getting dizzy or lightheaded is not another symptom that you expect to feel on top of the pain that you are already dealing with.

Considering that POTS is a condition that affects circulation (blood flow), the dangers of falling and hurting yourself even more become another safety concern that you must consider on top of ensuring that your heart is able to get the blood circulated around your body.

According to John Hopkins, there are two distinct criteria for POTS:

You qualify for a very specific group of symptoms that frequently occur when standing upright.

A heart rate increase from horizontal to standing of at least 30 beats per minute in adults, or at least 40 beats per minute in adolescents, which can be measured during the first 10 minutes of standing (or on a tilt-table) diagnosed with a physician.

What is Orthostatic Hypotension?
(Low Heart Rate)

Alternatively, there is Orthostatic Hypotension which is a condition by which your blood pressure falls significantly when you stand up quickly. Don't confuse it with Hypotension, which is low blood pressure, the opposite of high blood pressure. Low blood pressure means that there is at least a 20mm Hg drop in the systolic or a 10mm Hg drop in diastolic blood pressure in the first three minutes of standing upright.

This can also be very scary for someone with CRPS, which can affect your heart and blood pressure, and cause dizziness, lightheadedness and could cause you to lose your balance and fall down and in some cases, you may even faint.

Symptoms of POTS and Orthostatic Hypotension
Other than the heartrate and blood pressure readings, the physical symptoms are very similar.

The relationship with both POTS and Orthostatic Hypotension relationship to CRPS is in the fact that is is directly involves the Autonomic Nervous system (which automatically controls and regulates vital bodily functions) and Sympathetic Nervous System (which activates the fight or flight response).

As POTS and Orthostatic Hypotension is a form of orthostatic intolerance, the development of symptoms that develop when standing up from a reclining position, are usually relieved by sitting or lying back down. The primary symptom of an orthostatic intolerance is lightheadedness, fainting, and an uncomfortable, rapid increase in heartbeat.

Heart rate and blood pressure work together to keep the blood flowing at a healthy pace, no matter what position the body is in. People with POTS and Orthostatic Hypotension cannot coordinate the balancing act of blood vessel squeeze and heart rate response. This means the blood pressure cannot be kept steady and stable.

Anytime the heart has to work extra hard to pump body to all of the limbs in the body, especially the feet and legs which are the furthest away from the heart, and it is struggling to do so, WebMD shares that some of the symptoms you may feel include:

Feel dizzy or faint
Have blurry vision
Feel nauseous or shaky
Throw up
Sweat a lot
Have brain fog
Fatigue
Chest pain
Feeling hot or cold
Feeling anxious, nervous, or jittery
Headaches and neck pain
Insomnia
Diarrhea or constipation
Fainting (Orthostatic Hypotension)

Each case is different and you may see symptoms come and go over a period of years. In most cases, with proper adjustments in diet, medications and physical activity, you may see an improvement in the quality of life. Also, if an underlying cause is found and is treated, the symptoms may subside.

Different Forms of POTS
There are various forms of POTS.

The most common are:

Neuropathic POTS: Peripheral denervation (loss of nerve supply) leads to poor blood vessel muscles, especially in the legs and core body.
Hyperadrenergic POTS: Overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system
Low blood volume POTS: Reduced blood volume can lead to POTS. Low blood volume can cause similar symptoms that may overlap in neuropathic and hyperadrenergic POTS

Diagnosing POTS & Orthostatic Tachycardia
Diagnosing POTS may be difficult due to the many different symptoms that it brings, and often times, most people have their blood pressure and resting heart rates taken while sitting, so it is never even a consideration until they meet someone else who has it. Most times, POTS is heard by word of mouth and awareness.

According to John Hopkins, POTS is diagnosed only when orthostatic hypotension is ruled out and when there is no acute dehydration or blood loss.

Once you, or your doctor, become suspicious based on your symptoms, you may undergo one of these following tests.

Blood and urine test for causes of POTS and conditions that mimic POTS
QSART (a test that measures the autonomic nerves that control sweating)
Autonomic breathing test (to measure how your blood rate and pressure respond during exercise)
TST (tuberculin skin test)
Skin nerve biopsy
Echocardiogram
Blood volume with hemodynamic studies

If you have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, CRPS, and have any of the symptoms, this is something that you should have your doctor check you for to ensure your safety to help avoid a fall or secondary issue that may arise.

14175 W Indian School RD B4 #282 Goodyear · AZ 85395 · United States

2023 ComplexTruths, INC

Greetings to all,

Its been a long time since my last post, I have done an intense research on RSD affecting other parts of the body. I have been dealing with Heart Problem due to mix of LUPUS and RSD which are difficult to treat due to the complexity of both conditions.

There is still HOPE by finding the right P*P that will help monitor your care path, providing the sights in your care path and navigating you to avoid and complication before it happens.

Looking forward to hearing from you should you need any help or assistances with any questions that you may have.

Wishing you all Strength, Courage and Wisdom as we embark on this journey together.

Gentle Hugs,
🧡

Hello Lisa Ruiz, I was unable to sent it private, check which doctor on the list accepts your insurance. Good luck let know anything else you may need
Goodnight

Port Saint Lucie FL Neurologist Doctors - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Get the Facts on Treatment Port Saint Lucie Florida Neurologist Doctors physician directory - Learn about complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a condition in which high levels of nerve impulses are sent to an affected site.

One of the quickest ways to BE BETTER than you are right now, to understand your energy or your vibrational frequency, is to devote time to your inner self, to focus on breathing, to meditate and to go within. Every great leader or truly successful person devotes time to go within.

Let’s face it we all want to be better. Better for our business, have a better job, have healthier, fitter bodies, be better parents, friends or family members.

If you want your life to get better then NOW IS THE TIME TO DEVOTE TIME TO YOURSELF.
It may only be 10 minutes everyday, but I promise you it will change your life.
When we listen to our inner selves, GIVE to ourselves and LOVE ourselves FIRST, then all of the relationships and events around us will be deeper, more fulfilling and easier.
I am talking about filling your own cup up first. Don’t expect anyone else to do it for you.
You are responsible for YOU and you are the only one who can love and respect you in the way you want to be loved and respected. It starts with YOU!

Fill Your Own Cup Up First
Fill your cup up first and allow it to overflow to others, to your business, to your work, to your partner, to your children. It is only when you can be devoted to yourself first that you can truly give to others with on open heart, a heart that is not attached to the outcome of what others do or say, or how they respond. You must get comfortable with spending time with yourself, loving yourself, being with yourself, BREATHING, being conscious of your life force, of your energy.

inspirational spiritual quotes

Energy flows where attention goes. Give yourself attention!!
Becoming aware of yourself and your energy will change the very nature of who you are and how your energy flows.
Spend 20 minutes every day attending to your inner self. Simply bring your attention to your breath. Imagine every breath in you take to be devotion to you and every breath out to be devotion of others. Notice your breath, is it more shallow on the breath in and longer on the out, or is it full and long on the way in and short and quick on the way out. Notice your heart beating, FEEL it pumping blood throughout your body, FEEL the flow that is WITHIN you.
FEEL how miraculous and marvellous you are just to be ALIVE, what an amazing feat of evolution it is that your body functions with such mastery that it knows exactly what to do.
You are a MIRICLE, go within, place your attention on the unseen part of you. Devote a little time to yourself first before anyone or anything else. EVERYTHING in your life WILL BE BETTER. EVERYTHING BECOMES EASIER.

Connect With Your Deepest Self
Connect with the part of you that KNOWS the answers to your questions.
Connect with the part of you that KNOWS that you have more than enough time everyday to get done what you want and need to get done. Connect to the part of you that speaks of love and happiness, FEEL that love and happiness filling your heart. You are a magnificent creator.
Say your affirmations from this place of calmness and inner attention. I am energy, I am love, everything works out for me, I am abundant, I am successful, I am strong.

Feel the joy of being all the things you wish for NOW. Feel it deeply in your heart as you sit quietly and breathe.
See the pictures of yourself surrounded by the things you love and want. FEEL it.. move around in the picture. Give it as much action as you possibly can. See the HAPPINESS, see the JOY of what you want. If it was a movie what would it look like? What would you be doing in this movie of your ultimate happiness?
If you don’t know what you want, this is one of the fastest ways to get in touch with what it is you TRULY want….

Connect, give attention to your heart, put your hand on your heart as you breath and ask it.. what kind of life do I really want? What would make me truly happy? And listen to the answer..

Don’t doubt what comes, ACKNOWLEDGE IT. Listen to your heart, and say YES to it. YES I hear you,
YES I hear what you are saying..

Knowing What You Want Is The First Step
It’s the first step of the law of attraction – knowing what you want. Society has convinced some of us that being selfless and sacrificing everything for others is the most righteousness thing you can do. But the opposite is true; if you can give to yourself first before everyone else it makes what you give so much more powerful.
Get to know you, listen to your heart.
You should know.

Be brave, be fearless enough to go within and be bold enough to TAKE TIME TO LISTEN.

In My Shoes

Before you say I'm faking,
Before you think me lazy,
A moment in my shoes,
My pain would drive you crazy.
I'm not the girl I used to be,
I live with constant pain,
My joints tell me when it's cold out,
My bones predict the rain.
I walk so much slower now,
But do the best I can,
In my past I could do a lot,
I danced, I climbed and ran.
You see when I go shopping,
I park close to the store,
It takes everything inside me,
Just to get me through the door.
I'm tired a lot and don't do much,
I'm sure that some must think,
"Look at her, she's not sick",
Which causes me to sink.
I see how some folks look at me,
Only see what's on the table,
Not knowing the pain within me,
Or depression of being disabled.
So before you pass a judgement,
Walk a mile in my pain filled shoes,
I never asked for this bad pain,
If you felt it, neither would you.

By: Rhonda Law

Day: 13
How Inflammation affects the body. .

In·flam·ma·tion - A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
"Chronic inflammation of the nasal cavities"
synonyms: swelling, puffiness; redness; rawness, soreness, tenderness; infection, festering, suppuration, septicity
"apply ice to the inflammation"

What is inflamation?
Inflammation is the body's response to injury. It works to heal wounds, but it can also play a role in some chronic diseases. ... It is the body's attempt to heal itself after an injury; defend itself against foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria; and repair damaged tissue.

What are the 5 classic signs of inflammation?
The traditional names for signs of inflammation come from Latin:
Dolor (pain)
Calor (heat)
Rubor (redness)
Tumor (swelling)
Functio laesa (loss of function)

What are the three stages of inflammation?
The are three main stages of inflammation which can each vary in intensity and duration:
Acute -swelling stage.
Sub-acute – regenerative stage.
Chronic – scar tissue maturation and remodelling stage.

What are the signs of inflammation in the body?
Symptoms of inflammation include:
Redness.
Swollen joint that's sometimes warm to the touch.
Joint pain.
Joint stiffness.
Loss of joint function.

What is best anti inflammatory medication?
Here is a list of some of the most commonly prescribed NSAID medications:
Aspirin (brand names include Bayer, Ecotrin, Bufferin)
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Indomethacin (Indocin)

What is the strongest anti inflammatory medication?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Aspirin (Bayer, St. Joseph) ...
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Midol, Nuprin) Ibuprofen is an NSAID available in both OTC and prescription strengths. ...
Naproxen sodium and naproxen (Aleve) ...
Diclofenac (Zorvolex, Voltaren) and diclofenac-misoprostol (Arthrotec) ...
Other prescription NSAIDs

Day: 12
RSD 6 Possible Causes of Brain Fog
Suzanne Falck, MD on June 14, 2017

What is brain fog?
Brain fog isn't a medical condition itself, but rather a symptom of other medical conditions. It’s a type of cognitive dysfunction involving:

memory problems
lack of mental clarity
poor concentration
inability to focus
Some people also describe it as mental fatigue. Depending on the severity of brain fog, it can interfere with work or school. But it doesn't have to be a permanent fixture in your life.

What are the causes of brain fog?
There are numerous explanations for why brain fog occurs. Once you identify the underlying cause, you can begin fixing the problem. Here are six possible causes.

1. Stress
Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, and trigger depression. It can also cause mental fatigue. When your brain is exhausted, it becomes harder to think, reason, and focus.

The effects of stress on the body »

2. Lack of sleep
Poor sleep quality can also interfere with how well your brain functions. Aim for 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Sleeping too little can lead to poor concentration and cloudy thoughts.

Causes and risk factors for insomnia »

3. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes can also trigger brain fog. Levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen increase during pregnancy. This change can affect memory and cause short-term cognitive impairment.

Similarly, a drop in estrogen level during menopause can cause forgetfulness, poor concentration, and cloudy thinking.

Learn the connection: Memory loss and menopause »

4. Diet
Diet can also play a role in brain fog. Vitamin B-12 supports healthy brain function, and a vitamin B-12 deficiency can bring about brain fog.

If you have food allergies or sensitivities, brain fog may develop after eating certain foods. Possible culprits include:

MSG
aspartame
peanuts
dairy
Removing trigger foods from your diet may improve symptoms.

5. Medications
If you notice brain fog while taking medication, talk with your doctor. Brain fog may be a known side effect of the drug. Lowering your dosage or switching to another drug may improve your symptoms.

Brain fog can also occur after cancer treatments. This is referred to as chemo brain.

6. Medical conditions
Medical conditions associated with inflammation, fatigue, or changes in blood glucose level can also cause mental fatigue. For example, brain fog is a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome, which involves persistent fatigue for longer than six months.

People who have fibromyalgia may experience similar fogginess on a daily basis.

Other conditions that may cause brain fog include:

anemia
depression
diabetes
Sjögren syndrome
migraines
Alzheimer’s disease
hypothyroidism
autoimmune diseases such as lupus, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis
dehydration

How it’s diagnosed
See your doctor if you have persistent lack of clarity that worsens or doesn't improve. A single test can’t diagnose brain fog. Brain fog may signal an underlying issue, so your doctor will conduct a physical examination and ask about your:

mental health
diet
level of physical activity
current medications or supplements
You should let your doctor know about other symptoms you might have. For example, someone with hypothyroidism may have brain fog along with hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, or brittle nails.

Blood work can help your doctor identify the cause of brain fog. A blood test can detect the following:

abnormal glucose levels
poor liver, kidney, and thyroid function
nutritional deficiencies
infections
inflammatory diseases
Based on the results, your doctor will determine whether to investigate further. Other diagnostic tools may include imaging tests to look inside the body, such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans. The doctor may also conduct allergy testing or a sleep study to check for a sleep disorder.

Keeping a food journal can help you determine if your diet contributes to brain fog.

How to treat it
Brain fog treatment depends on the cause.

For example, if you’re anemic, iron supplements may increase your production of red blood cells and reduce your brain fog. If you're diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid or other medication to reduce inflammation or suppress the immune system.

Sometimes, relieving brain fog is a matter of correcting a nutritional deficiency, switching medications, or improving the quality of your sleep.

Home remedies to improve brain fog include:

sleeping 8 to 9 hours per night
managing stress by knowing your limitations and avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine
exercising
strengthening your brain power (try volunteering or solving brain puzzles)
finding enjoyable activities
increasing your intake of protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats
What is the outlook for brain fog?
Brain fog can be frustrating, but relief is possible. Don’t ignore your symptoms. If left untreated, brain fog can impact the quality of your life.

13 Things You Know Too Well If You Live with Brain Fog
Dealing with brain fog is no easy feat. If you or a loved one lives with fibromyalgia, here are 13 things you'll be able to relate to.

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Myth vs. Reality: What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?
There are many misconceptions about what panic attacks look and feel like. Understanding panic attacks and learning how best to support yourself and…

16 Cross-Generational, Home Remedies Mothers Swear By
Every family has a secret remedy that's been passed down through generations. Whether it's v***r rub for colds or grilled onions for headaches…