It's not uncommon to feel sluggish and foggy-brained during allergy season. (Any allergy sufferer can probably attest to this.) Allergies and brain fog often go hand-in-hand, creating a frustrating double whammy of feeling stuffed up, sniffly, and slow. But can brain fog eventually pave the way toward memory loss?
There's a big difference between occasionally misplacing your keys or forgetting why you've entered a certain room, and the kind of memory loss associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Let's start by talking about brain fog specifically, what it is and what it isn't.
What is Brain Fog?
Brain fog isn't a health disorder in and of itself; rather, it's a symptom of other health problems, including allergic rhinitis— better known as allergies. In fact, brain fog is a very common allergy symptom.
When you have brain fog, you'll definitely know you do. For the sake of argument though, brain fog symptoms are:
- Difficulty or an inability to focus
- Poor concentration
- Memory problems
- Diminished mental clarity
This kind of cognitive impairment can be annoying, but it can also interfere with how well you function at home, work, or school.
What Causes Brain Fog?
There are a lot of factors that can contribute to brain fog. Some of these include:
- Poor sleep
- Stress
- Vitamin B12 deficiency [1]
- Food intolerance, like dairy or peanuts
- Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause
As we mentioned above, brain fog is often a symptom of other health conditions, including allergies. Some more of these include:
- Depression
- Viral infections, including COVID-19
- Diabetes
- Migraines
- Alzheimer's disease
While brain fog can be a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, it doesn't automatically mean that you're developing it or dementia, or will develop it when you get older. Brain fog can also be a sign of cognitive decline, which is a normal part of aging. (As we get older, our brains’ neurons slow down, slowing brain function down with them.) In most circumstances, there's no need to panic over the occasional bout of foggy-headedness.
The truth is, everyone experiences brain fog sometimes— especially if you have seasonal allergies, don't sleep well, or are stressed out.
Brain fog is always a symptom of something more, so if you treat the underlying issue, the fog should clear with it. This can include sleeping more, eating a healthier diet, and reducing stress. We'll talk more about these later.
Can Allergies Cause Memory Problems?
Brain fog like from your seasonal allergies can cause short-term memory problems, but doesn’t mean that you’ll have memory problems like dementia or Alzheimer’s later in life.
However, that doesn’t mean you should let brain fog or lingering mental confusion be— especially if you regularly experience allergy symptoms. More research is needed, but allergies can potentially cause memory problems and may impact learning and memory long-term.
According to one study using mice, researchers found that mice exposed to grass pollen simultaneously produced more neurons and fewer immune cells in their brains. This supports previous studies where animals exposed to allergens long-term had more memory impairments and learning problems. [2]
One human study also found allergy patients exposed to ragweed pollen (one of the most common allergens) experienced slowed cognitive processing or memory difficulties. [3]
5 Natural Ways to Clear Your Brain Fog
While there are seemingly myriad causes for brain fog, there are just as many solutions for it. Here are five of our favorite natural remedies for brain fog so you can get back to thinking clearly ASAP.
1. Treat Your Allergies With SinuSonic
Plenty of our users, like Ariel, have found significant relief with SinuSonic. Ariel shares:
"I don't generally write reviews, but the SinuSonic has been incredible!!!!!!!!!! I had a major nasal reconstructive surgery 5 months ago... My recovery had been nothing short of horrific with unbearable sensations in my nose causing insomnia, brain fog, and much more. After using SinuSonic, for the first time since my surgery, I could sleep without feeling intense sinus pressure. After using it again today, I felt my mucus membranes returning to their normal functional sensation. For me, the SinuSonic is nothing short of a miracle."
For those battling with congestion and allergies leading to brain fog, SinuSonic offers a natural, drug-free solution. This device employs light pressure combined with gentle acoustic vibrations to provide natural sinus relief, helping you breathe more freely. Just committing to a simple routine of two minutes, twice daily, can usher in a reprieve from debilitating allergy symptoms.
By consistently using SinuSonic, you'll not only improve your breathing depth and efficiency but also boost ciliary motility in your nose. This ensures that any allergens or irritants lodged in your nasal passages make a hasty exit.
Don't just take our word for it; Ariel says she'll be recommending it to her ENT for future patients. Discover the difference SinuSonic can make in your life and potentially bypass the hardships Ariel faced.
2. Get Plenty of Sleep
Getting a good night's sleep is key to preventing brain fog. Unfortunately, it's often all too easy to accidentally sabotage your sleep. If you have nighttime allergies, those can easily complicate getting your 40 winks too.
Allergy fatigue occurs when your immune system works hard to protect your body from allergens and irritants— not unlike the fatigue you feel when your body fights off illness. Unfortunately, even with this fatigue, getting a good night's sleep can be complicated.
However, to eliminate brain fog it's vital to get 7-9 hours of good quality sleep each night. Here are a few of our suggestions to help you get the shut-eye you need every night.
- Decongest with SinuSonic before bed.
- Practice relaxation techniques or breathing exercises to help you unwind and relax.
- Avoid using electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers at least an hour before bed. The blue light from these devices can prevent you from falling asleep on time.
- Stop caffeine consumption at least 6 hours before bedtime, and alcohol at least a few hours before.
- Follow a consistent bedtime every night and wake up the same time each morning. This helps you essentially train your body to be awake and asleep at your desired times.
Related: How to Sleep with a Stuffy Nose
3. Reduce Your Stress
Stress is a major contributing factor to brain fog. Keeping stress to a minimum is vital, for the sake of your physical and mental health.
There are endless solutions to reducing stress and clearing your head, you just need to find what works best for you. Here are a few of our favorite ways to de-stress:
- Enjoy regular exercise. This can be anything from walking the dog to running a marathon— whatever fits your lifestyle best, and you find most enjoyable.
- Participate in a new hobby, or pick an old one back up. Hobbies are a great way to learn new skills and eliminate stress. If you pursue creative hobbies like painting or knitting, it can be especially encouraging to see projects through from start to finish and observe your skills develop in real time.
- Meditate. A meditation practice can help you clear your head and nip stress in the bud before you have time to ruminate on it.
4. Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
Vitamin deficiencies can cause brain fog, but a generally poor diet can also.
To avoid this, make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet consisting of:
- Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Healthy sources of protein, such as green leafy veggies, beans, and lentils
- Healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds
- Healthy whole grains, including brown rice and quinoa
- Enjoying less healthy foods in moderation (It's okay to enjoy them every so often, just don't go overboard)
A healthy, well-balanced diet will ensure that all your body's nutritional needs are being met and will eliminate potential vitamin deficiencies.
5. Train Your Brain
Games like sudoku, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and chess can help exercise your brain, improve your memory, and sharpen your concentration.
Just make sure to keep challenging yourself along the way. Your brain needs to stay challenged to reap the benefits of its training.
Is Your Memory Like a Sieve? Try SinuSonic
Everyone deals with the occasional brain fog sometimes, but for many allergy sufferers, it's an unavoidable reality of allergy season. Allergies may even be the culprit behind memory problems and learning difficulties.
Don't panic though— brain fog can make day-to-day life more difficult, but it doesn't mean that you're losing your mind. There are plenty of natural steps you can take to turn your brain fog into a distant memory.
Lost in a fog? Clear the way with SinuSonic!
Citations
- Markun, Stefan, et al. “Effects of Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Depressive Symptoms, and Fatigue: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nutrients, 12 Mar. 2021, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33809274/.
- “Study Finds Link between Seasonal Allergies & Memory.” Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, 23 Aug. 2016, www.caageorgia.com/about-us/blog/2016/august/study-finds-link-between-seasonal-allergies-memo/.
- Marshall, P S, et al. “Effects of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis on Selected Cognitive Abilities.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Apr. 2000, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10795648/.