Nevo Fibro in Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue
Cerebral haze (also called fibro-fog or cognitive dysfunction) is one of the most common complaints of people with fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
For many, it can have as much impact on their lives as pain or fatigue.
In fact, some people say that the brain fog is the most disabling of their physical symptoms.
What causes brain fog?
We still do not know exactly what causes cognitive dysfunction in these conditions, but we have many theories about possible contributing factors, including:
• Lack of restful sleep
• Abnormal blood volume or flow of the skull
• brain abnormalities
• Premature aging of the brain
• Mental distress due to pain
In FM, the brain fog is usually larger when the pain worsens.
In both FM and CFS, it can be aggravated when you are anxious, in a hurry or face emotional overload.
Depression , which is common in FM and CFS, is also associated with fibro-fog.
Some studies, however, show that brain fog severity does not correlate with the symptoms of depression.
A large number of common medications for FM and CFS can also contribute to brain fog.
The brain fibro-fog symptoms:
• Symptoms of mental confusion can range from mild to severe.
• Often they vary from day to day and not all patients have them all.
Symptoms include:
Use of words and memory:
Difficulty remembering familiar words, using incorrect words, remembering names slowly.
Short-term memory problems:
• Forgetfulness, inability to remember what you have read or heard.
• spatial disorientation:
By not recognizing a familiar environment, it is easily lost, has difficulty in remembering where things are.
Difficulties with multitasking:
• Inability to pay attention to more than one thing, forgetting the original task when distracted.
• Confusion and difficulty concentrating, information processing problems are easily distracted.
Mathematics / difficulties with numbers:
• Difficulty in performing simple mathematical operations, remembering sequences, transposition numbers, problems in remembering numbers.
• Some people may also have other types of brain disorders.
Brain Mist and Learning Disorders:
So far, we have no evidence that our brain fog comes from known learning problems.
However, our problems are similar to those associated with disorders such as dyslexia (reading problems), dysphasia (difficulty speaking) and dyscalculia (problems with math / space / time problems).
If you think you may have a learning disability, talk to your doctor.
The diagnosis can help you get reasonable accommodations at work or apply for disability benefits.
The treatment of brain fog
For some people, the brain fog solves with an effective treatment for pain or sleep problems.
However, not everyone can find effective treatments, which leaves many unaffected without treatment for this problem.
Supplements are a common option.
Although we do not have much evidence to support its effectiveness, some doctors and people with these diseases have noticed that supplements help improve brain function / thinking.
Common supplements for brain fog are:
• 5-HTP
• Vitamins B
• L-carnitine
• Hill
• Omega-3 (fish oil) (Chia)
• Rhodiola
• St. John’s Wort
• Theanine (amino acid present in tea leaves)
Some doctors recommend changes in diet to include “brain-friendly” foods , some of which are natural sources of the supplements mentioned above.
Some of these foods are:
• Fish (Omega-3)
• Canola oil or walnut oil (Omega-3)
• Eggs (choline)
• Fruits and vegetables
• Carbohydrates
• Seeds of Chia (Omega-3)
Some research on fibromyalgia shows that moderate exercise can also help improve brain function.
Brain Training
Researchers are learning more about the brain and how it works, and new information can help us understand the brain fog.
Research on aging brain and some degenerative diseases show that cognitive training can sometimes slow, stop or reverse the loss of intellectual functions.
Some doctors use intellectual training programs, which usually include software that you use at home.
Video game companies and websites that offer games that say they can improve intellectual function, some evidence suggests that virtual reality games improve memory and critical thinking skills.
Since this is a new area of science, it is likely that one can learn more about mental processes and their functions in the coming years.
