Why Do I Experience Both a Foggy Head and Headache?

Reviewed by Suo Lee, MD

Internal Medicine

A foggy head and headache can occur together because many conditions affect both your thinking and your head. They might be signs of issues like cluster headaches, thyroid problems, or even effects from a brain injury or infection.

Explanation

Your brain and head are very connected, so when something is wrong, you might feel both a headache and brain fog—a term used to describe feeling confused or slow. For example, people with cluster headaches often have problems with mood and thinking. When the pain from a headache is severe, it can make it hard to focus or remember things. In people with thyroid issues like hypothyroidism, a slow metabolism may lead to brain fog along with headaches. Similarly, after a brain injury, some people notice a foggy feeling along with headaches because the injury can make it harder for the brain to work at its top form. Even illnesses like COVID-19 have been reported to cause headache and changes in smell or taste, which can also affect your overall brain function. It is important to know that these symptoms may have different causes. If these problems interfere with your daily life, talking with a healthcare provider can help you figure out why this is happening and the best way to manage it.

(References)

Torkamani M, Ernst L, Cheung LS, Lambru G, Matharu M, Jahanshahi M. The neuropsychology of cluster headache: cognition, mood, disability, and quality of life of patients with chronic and episodic cluster headache. Headache. 2015 Feb;55(2):287-300. doi: 10.1111/head.12486. PMID: 25688646; PMCID: PMC4354253.
Batista SP, McAninch E, Teixeira MCTV, Jonklaas J, Laiteerapong N, Ribeiro MO, Bianco AC. Brain Fog in Hypothyroidism: Understanding the Patient's Perspective. Endocr Pract. 2022 Mar;28(3):257-264. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2021.12.003. Epub 2021 Dec 8. PMID: 34890786; PMCID: PMC8901556.
Bell T, Crowe M, Novack T, Davis RD, Stavrinos D. Severity and correlates of brain fog in people with traumatic brain injury. Res Nurs Health. 2023 Feb;46(1):136-147. doi: 10.1002/nur.22280. Epub 2022 Dec 12. PMID: 36504287; PMCID: PMC10851910.
Sampaio Rocha-Filho PA, Albuquerque PM, Carvalho LCLS, Dandara Pereira Gama M, Magalhães JE. Headache, anosmia, ageusia and other neurological symptoms in COVID-19: a cross-sectional study. J Headache Pain. 2022 Jan 3;23(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s10194-021-01367-8. PMID: 34979899; PMCID: PMC8721484.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Brain fog

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

Try our AI-based symptom check

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get an free AI-powered report on possible causes

Tips to try:

Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes, and the provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical practice. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.