How Is A Pots Diagnosis Made
Problems with the autonomic nervous system can be difficult to diagnose. The standard test for POTS is the tilt table test. During the test, you are secured to a table that tilts from being horizontal to almost a 90-degree angle. The test measures your hearts response to switching from laying down to standing up. Some people with POTS faint during this test, even if they rarely faint standing up.
Although the test seems straightforward, many things can interfere with it. Its important that a POTS specialist oversees it. Its best to work with a doctor who has diagnosed and treated patients with POTS. This could be a cardiologist, a neuromuscular specialist or another doctor.
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Thyroid Gland Insufficiency Or Hyperactivity
The thyroid gland is important for your metabolism. It produces the T3 and T4 hormones that are responsible for the exchange of energy between cells. In case you have a thyroid gland insufficiency your hormones can also get affected.
The altered levels of the thyroid hormones can make you have a brain fog constantly. That is why it would be better to ask your doctor to prescribe you hormones to ease the brain fog symptoms.
Exposure To Toxic Mold
For Lew, the 67-year-old pilot who had to give up flying due to fuzzy thinking, lab testing and brain SPECT imaging showed that his brain fog stemmed from exposure to toxic mold after his home had some water damage. If Lew had simply continued taking the medications hed been prescribed for dementia, he wouldnt have gotten any better, and he never would have discovered that toxic mold was the root cause of his cognitive dysfunction issues. Through a cleansing program that included nutrition, supplements, meditation, and exercise, Lews memory and thinking began to improve. After three months, he said, Im fully functional again.
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But Above All You Deserve Respect And You Should Know Your Rights
My autoimmune disease may have hindered my work in some ways, but it was never an excuse to treat me poorly. I was incredibly blessed with understanding supervisors and co-workers who went above and beyond to help me and treat me WELL. Unfortunately, this isnt the case for everyone.
Though my Hashimotos Disease would have never landed me a viable disability claim , I know that there are so many other types of diseases that make working almost impossible.
If this is your situation, research your rights in the workplace and meet with an HR representative to determine your next steps . Some illnesses qualify as disabilities, which can then allow you to press the Pause button, and take some much-needed time off to heal.
Do you work with a chronic illness? How do you make it work? Share your favorite tips with our readers by leaving a comment below!
Hi! Im Anna, co-founder of Healthy Habits Reset. After managing my own autoimmune diseases using lifestyle, habit, and mindset changes, I now work to teach others how to navigate the treacherous and confusing journey of chronic illness living. I firmly believe YOU hold the power to question, think critically, and become your own rock-solid advocate in a world full of unhealthy habits, so you can find the healing you deserve.
Fatigue Brain Fog Anxiety Prevalent With Long Covid
Fatigue, brain fog, headache, anxiety, and sleep issues are the most prevalent symptoms among survivors with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 infection, according to a study published online June 10 in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences.
Leidys Gutierrez-Martinez, M.D., from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues retrospectively collected data between February 2020 and May 2021 from 100 COVID-19 survivors with persistent symptoms, enrolled after a short inpatient stay or who had been outpatients never hospitalized. Thirteen patients without confirmatory positive polymerase chain reaction or antibody diagnostic test results were grouped separately.
The researchers found that fatigue, brain fog, headache, anxiety, and sleep issues were the most prevalent symptoms after COVID-19 infection. Impairments in attention and executive function were frequently observed. The mean score was 26.0 for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Significant correlations were seen for concentration and attention, as well as memory issues, with brain fog.
These preliminary findings suggest that postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 varies in frequency and duration according to premorbid history and affects functional domains and the ability to return to work, the authors write.
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
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Disturbances Of Reflexes And Autonomic Function Hypervigilance And Hypersensitivity To Sensory Stimuli Such As Light Noises And Smells And Brain Fog
Neuroinflammation of the brain stem has been discussed as a possible cause of dysautonomia but no clear evidence has been provided so far . If neuroinflammation of the brain stem was the primary cause of dysautonomia the question would still have to be answered of how such a disturbance could cause the myriad of symptoms and objective findings like muscle weakness, pH changes in skeletal muscles, PEM and cardiovascular findings like hypovolemia with low RAAS activity. Our unifying hypothesis allows to explain how dysautonomia independent of its primary cause can cause the myriad of symptoms and enigmatic findings of ME/CFS.
Possible desensitization of the 2-adrenergic receptor located in the noradrenergic nuclei and in cardiovascular centers of the medulla oblongata should be added to the possible brainstem pathomechanisms involved in dysautonomia. Dysfunction of the 2AdR autoreceptor could cause overshooting sympathetic responses by enhanced catecholamine release that may contribute to orthostatic dysregulation, cause disturbances of respiratory control and affect other autonomic functions.
When Does Brain Fog Become A Concern
Has your thinking gotten fuzzymaking you feel confused, decreasing your ability to concentrate, and rendering your memory sluggish? Have you been experiencing a mental haze related to COVID-19? Brain fog isnt considered a medical condition itself, but it can interfere with your everyday life in so many ways. Common symptoms of brain fog include:
- Memory problems
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Difficulty processing information
- Feelings of confusion or disorientation
- Having a hard time calculating
- Diminished visual and spatial skills
- Trouble finding words
Everybody can experience brain fog after a sleepless night, during a particularly stressful period, or after indulging in a big meal with alcohol, but in some cases, it can be a symptom of a more serious problem. When are your symptoms simply a nuisance and when does mental fatigue become something you need to address? If brain fog persists over time or appears to worsen, its time to seek an evaluation.
At Amen Clinics, we have been seeing a growing number of patients who have had COVID-19. Many of them, even those who say they had mild cases and recovered, report experiencing lasting brain fog and fatigue. This is in addition to the mental health issues that originally drove them to seek treatment.
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Tips For Relieving Brain Fog
There areplenty of ways to alleviate brain fog, and what works for you may not work for someone else, but here are some of thestandard methods that many people attest to be effective:
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated
- Get enough sleep every night and get the right amount of rest during the day
- Reduce stress levels by practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
Other Ways To Reduce Brain Fog
Brain fog symptoms can be related to a number of factors, including nutrient deficiencies, lack of sleep, stress, and even undiagnosed medical issues.
If youre experiencing symptoms such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and inability to process information, its a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional.
They can run tests that may help you find out why youre experiencing these symptoms.
For example, medical conditions such as Hashimotos thyroiditis, celiac disease, and anxiety disorders may present with brain fog symptoms (
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Improve Your Sleep Quality
If youre struggling with brain fog, one of the first things you should do is look closely at your sleep habits.
Research found that poor sleep quality and sleep deprivation are two of the most common causes of brain fog and memory loss, so its essential to make sure that youre getting enough restful sleep every night.
To improve your sleep quality, experts recommend:
- following a regular sleep schedule,
- avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime,
- exercising regularly,
- refraining from using screened devices on the bed or 30 minutes before bed,
- not eating anything within three to four hours before bedtime,
- and keeping a relaxed and comfortable bedroom environment.
If youre still having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, there are also some natural sleep aids that can help, such as:
- and lavender oil.
If you suspect that youre suffering from a sleep disorder, we highly recommend that you consult with a doctor or sleep specialist. They may be able to give you a more tailored treatment plan that works for you.
Physical And Cognitive Symptoms Of Cfs May Be A Mental Perception Of Stimuli
In an attempt to detail a mechanism describing the perception of fatigue in CFS, recent work has looked at neuroactive amino acids and metabolite concentrations following exercise. A study found increased tryptophan, decreased branch chain amino acids, and decreased tyrosine following exercise in the plasma of CFS subjects compared to controls . The exact meaning of these changes is difficult to discern, but speculatively this may suggest that metabolic alterations in precurors involved in the serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways may be involved in the central perception of fatigue. Moreover, another study showed that CFS subjects exhibit electroencephalogram changes during fatiguing exercise. Again, how this relates to the perception of fatigue is speculative, but it may suggest that altered cerebral signaling, particularly that involved with motor activity, may be experienced as mental fatigue . Further work is needed to determine how mental fatigue, cognitive impairment, and the subjective experience of brain fog relate biochemically, physiologically, and mechanistically to the changes that occur in CFS following exercise or any stressor.
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Children Young People And Me/cfs
ME/CFS can affect people of all ages, including the very young. Young people with ME/CFS, especially children under the age of ten, might have trouble knowing or articulating that something is wrong. They may not realise that their loss of stamina, or other symptoms they are experiencing, are not normal. Alternatively, they may not have the words to describe what they are feeling.
For both younger children and teenagers, schooling can be affected but ME/CFS is not school refusal. While school refusal can often be accompanied by physical complaints , and these complaints may tend to disappear when the young person stays home, the pattern is different with ME/CFS. In a young person with ME/CFS, some symptoms never ease and symptom exacerbation is triggered by activity. In ME/CFS, symptoms are likely to be worse after school attendance, and can reduce with pacing and rest, which includes time away from school or during holidays.
Some young people with ME/CFS can continue to attend school, and others may be too unwell for regular classroom attendance. Parents, healthcare providers, schools and the child or teenager need to work together to come up with a plan for the young persons continued education. This plan needs to take into account the energy limits of ME/CFS. Being creative and flexible is key and might include things like fewer subjects or school from home.
Trouble In The Microbiome
Disruptions in the gut microbiome particularly when theres an overgrowth of a variety of candida, a naturally occurring type of yeast can cause fatigue, anxiety, and depression and can lead to a state of low-level intoxication much like alcohol intake, all of which can affect the focus, memory, and concentration.
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Managing And Treating Brain Fog
Many treatments for brain fog involve lifestyle changes and day-to-day management of the symptoms. Brain fog affects people differently, so what helps can also be different for each person. There are lots of things you can try, until find the combination that works for you. Here are the things that other people have found helpful.
Make Sure Your Diet Is Brain
Good nutrition is a key part of a good mood and good memory, and the benefits go way beyond that: The Mediterranean diet, which consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, fish and of course, extra virgin olive oil, has repeatedly been linked to better brain health, and even lower Alzheimers risk. Leafy greens and flavonoids help too, while cholesterol and high-sugar, high-fat diets are linked to cognitive problems as severe as dementia.
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What Is Covid Brain Fog Disease And Its Cognitive Symptoms
COVID-19 can have long-term impacts on multiple body systems and organs. Some persistent symptoms in the so-called Covid long haulers include:
- general fatigue
- difficulties in sleeping
These issues could be the result of long-term damage to an individuals lungs, kidneys, heart, or other body organs. The damage to these organs, or even just the symptoms caused by the organ damage, can impair cognitive learning and memory, resulting in brain fog. For example, how well could a person concentrate if they have been awake for the better part of the night and have a headache? The medical and scientific community is still looking into possible causes for lingering brain fog that occurs after COVID-19. Several plausible causes have been identified by researchers, including:
- Lung injury causing chronic damage to the lung tissue leading to a lack of oxygen
- Inflammation wreaking havoc throughout the entire body including brain cells
- Swelling of the small blood arteries in the brain potentially leading to decreased blood flow
- A post infectious autoimmune illness in which the immune system does not function properly, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Brain Fog Part : Cognitive Function And Me/cfs
This is the second article by Dr Eleanor Roberts looking at brain fog, the range of cognitive difficulties experienced by people with ME/CFS.
Read part 1 here, which introduces cognitive function and the areas of the brain involved.
Cognitive dysfunction can be one of the most distressing symptoms for people with ME/CFS. This includes decreases in working memory, attention, ability to monitor errors, organisational skills, problem solving, verbal fluency and reasoning.
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What Does Brain Fog Feel Like
Brain Fog feels like being disoriented. Many refer to it as a curtain that covers their brain and they cant think right. They have a blurred mind and their judgment is less sharp than it used to be. Cognitive and memory failure is one of the primary symptoms, but many people also say that they feel physically tired that makes them avoid working and even going out of their home. It feels like a massive shut down of your mental abilities, mood, and competency to resolve problems at work.
Focus On Creating A Chronic
Work, unfortunately, tends to cultivate super unhealthy habits. For real just take a look at those vending machine options.
In our corporate headquarters, we had a Starbucks every 50 feet , a Dunkin Donuts, and two full-fledged cafeterias that sold breakfast cereal, candy, and no main-menu options that were gluten-free .
Specifically for those of us managing autoimmune conditions using a diet and lifestyle like the Autoimmune Protocol, it is vital to carry these principles over into our work life.
What I mean is, if you exercise, decrease your stress, eat well, etc., when youre at home then make sure you also incorporate ALL of these practices into your work day. This could include:
- Packing your lunch with healing, nourishing foods and only eating those foods not a snack from the vending machine
- Letting go of the pressure to participate in office pizza parties or restaurant lunches. I always chose to attend, but opted for socializing while sipping on some water or other beverage instead of eating.
- Taking all possible action to reduce your workload and work-related stress level
- And my personal favorite that deserves its own section:
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Treatments Explored To Ease Post
Miriam E. Tucker
A variety of treatments, most already commercially available, are under investigation for treating the constellation of overlapping symptoms associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome , long COVID, and dysautonomia.
At the virtual annual meeting of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis , speakers presented data for a variety of approaches to ease symptoms common across post-viral conditions, such as extreme fatigue, post-exertional malaise , cognitive dysfunction , orthostatic intolerance including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome , and chronic pain. Most of the modalities are already commercially available for other indications, although some are costly and not covered by payers for these conditions.
Both post-acute COVID-19 syndrome and ME/CFS are forms of post-infectious viral syndromes and they have overlapping symptoms. In the past, patients were told you have chronic fatigue syndrome but theres nothing we can do for it. That certainly is not the case. There arent cures, but there are many management techniques to improve symptoms, Charles W. Lapp, MD, medical director of the Hunter-Hopkins Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, told Medscape Medical News in an interview.
Data for the following approaches were presented at the IACFS/ME conference:
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Other Factors That May Contribute To Brain Fog
As mentioned above, inflammation in and around your brain may contribute to brain fog. However, there are other ways that COVID-19 may indirectly lead to brain fog as well.
Some possible contributing factors include:
Researchers are still working to understand how common brain fog is in people whove had COVID-19.
One recent showed that between 7.5 to 31 percent of people experience an altered mental state as a symptom of COVID-19. However, this estimation was based on small studies and may not be applicable to a larger population.
Another recent study reports that neurological symptoms could be more widespread than originally thought and may occur in up to 69 percent of people whove had severe illness with COVID-19.
At this time, its not clear why some people develop brain fog and others dont. People with severe cases of COVID-19 seem to be at a
As of now, the best treatment for brain fog caused by COVID-19 is to adopt healthy habits. The following tips may help boost your mental function if youre dealing with ongoing brain fog.
Researchers are continuing to look at the potential benefit of steroids for reducing inflammation of the brain that may contribute to cognitive changes.
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