Do you ever feel like you are living in a fog, feeling disconnected from your activities and the people in your life?
In the short term, this may just be a sign of a poor night’s sleep and can usually be resolved with a little R&R (see my previous post for tips on how have your best sleep ever! https://www.vitalposture.com/michele-speranza-blogs/80-6-tips-to-help-you-get-a-rejuvenating-sleep-april-21-2018.html). However, when your brain fog persists it can zap your energy, reduce your productivity, and can have a major impact on your personal relationships. You might feel frustrated seeking help because on the outside everything looks fine, and often times tests will come back negative for any serious ailment. But, that does not mean that there is not a greater problem underlying your brain fog. So, what else might be going on?
There are numerous causes of brain fog, all of which have a common denominator: inflammation. Chronic inflammation within your body will alter the chemical soup, known as cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), that surrounds your central nervous system. Your CSF bathes your brain and spinal cord, clears out toxic waste products, and provides immune support for your nervous system. When it becomes contaminated with inflammatory substances, the result can be feelings of brain fog, fatigue, dizziness and balance problems, and memory challenges.
Some of the most common causes of widespread inflammation in your body include:
- Food sensitivities and/or leaky gut
- Physical, mental, and emotional stress
- Poor sleep
- Injuries
What can YOU do to decrease your inflammation?
- Clean up your diet to remove inflammatory foods such as processed foods, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, dyes and additives, and any foods that you may be sensitive to. Adding in anti-inflammatory foods including fish oils, dark leafy greens, and purple and red fruits and vegetables is a great way to give your body the building blocks it needs to heal and grow.
- Tackle your stress before it becomes a problem. Exercise, fresh air, meditation, and good quality sleep are all excellent ways to create more body-mind balance.
- Injuries, especially to the head or neck region, can directly impact how the brain is communicating with the body. These injuries can range from concussion and whiplash to the chronic repetitive strain of poor posture. Over time, this physical stress can impede the flow of CSF to and from the brain and spinal cord resulting in a backup of waste products and trigger an inflammatory reaction in your nervous system. Addressing these injuries sooner rather than later can help to decrease your body’s inflammatory response and avoid long-term consequences.
A healthy neck promotes a healthy brain. The NUCCA technique focuses on optimizing the structural balance between your head and neck. If you have been living with cobwebs in your head and have not quite felt like yourself, then perhaps it is time to speak with one of our NUCCA doctors to see if they can help you clear out your cobwebs and take back control of your health!
Written by Dr. Michelle Speranza
