What Might Cause a Persistent Foggy Head Feeling?

A foggy head feeling, often called "brain fog," is when it feels challenging to think clearly. There are several reasons this might happen. One reason is chronic pain, which can overwhelm your brain function and make it hard to concentrate. Another cause is an underactive thyroid, where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, slowing down your body’s metabolism and thus your brain function. Some people notice brain fog after having COVID-19, when the body takes extra time to get back to normal. Additionally, chronic fatigue syndrome—a condition that makes you feel very tired—can also lead to feeling mentally slow or unclear. Other situations like poor sleep, stress, and certain medications might add to the foggy head feeling too. It’s important to know that these issues can blend together, and each person might have different reasons for feeling this way. If this foggy feeling lasts a long time or makes it hard to do everyday activities, talking to a doctor can help find the reason and the best way to feel better.