Fear of Death

The Fear of death is so powerful. But living is greater. Just open up to living. Finally Living

Living beyond cancer is a journey. It means different things to different person. Some of us wander. Who will I be when this is over. To some it means letting go of negative feelings. For others it means letting God take care of things It also may mean living in the present and taking me Time

Sometimes we get stuck living in the past. Sometimes we fear the future. When we live in the present, we take each day as it comes. We accept what is good and what is not so good. We count our blessings. We find meaning in what has happened to us.

Anxiety and the Fear of Dying

Anxiety can both cause and contribute to a variety of fears. But one of the most common fears is the fear of death. Some anxiety problems actually create the fear of death on their own. Some make anxiety disorders worse or more common, and some are completely independent - the fear of death may be a phobia itself, and not the result of an anxiety symptom.

The fear of death is a common cause and effect of anxiety, and even those without anxiety often experience this fear in some ways. This article will examine the fear of dying as it relates to anxiety and find solutions for overcoming it.

How Severe is Your Anxiety?

It's so easy to convince yourself that your anxiety symptoms are not anxiety at all - but rather a real medical problem. Visit a doctor, let them put your mind at ease, and in the meantime, take our free 7 minute anxiety symptoms test to score your anxiety severity and compare it to others.

Start the test now.

Death is a World Fear

It should be noted that death is more of a universal fear. You can have a fear of death without having an anxiety disorder, since death is something that most people fear at some point in their lives. That's why taking my 7 minute anxiety test is so important. It will give you an idea of whether or not you seem to be suffering from some type of clinical anxiety.

Fear of Death as a Symptom or as a Cause

It's also important to note that there is a significant difference between those whose life is altered by their fear of death, and those that have a fear of death that acts as a symptom of their disorder. Distinguishing between these is very important for treatment. The differences are examined below.

Fear of Death From Anxiety Attacks

Your heartbeat races. You feel sharp pains in your chest. The room appears to be spinning out of control. You don't know what's going on, but you know that something bad is happening. It feels like a heart attack, and you feel doom, as though the world is about to end.

You feel like you're about to die. Then all of the sudden nothing happens, the fear generally starts to fade away (leaving you feeling drained), and you're left wondering whether something is wrong with your health.

What you may have had was a panic attack, and the fear of death is a symptom of the attack. Here the fear of death is caused by several factors:

Fight or Flight Rush

Anxiety is a poorly performing fight or flight system, which is the system that your body activates when it's experiencing severe danger. An anxiety attack is essentially the peak of this fear. Your body rushes with an intense amount of adrenaline, and this alters your brain chemistry and thought patterns to tell you that you're in grave danger.

It's the same way you would feel if you were holding onto a ledge above a 10 story building. Your body is telling you that you need to be very afraid because your life is in danger. Unfortunately, in the case of panic attacks, your body is wrong, and the result is a feeling of death and doom despite no danger present.

Symptoms of Serious Disorders

Panic attack/anxiety attack symptoms are also very similar to other major health problems. Many panic attacks are so severe that they directly resemble heart attacks and heart failure. Thousands of people are hospitalized every year because of their panic attacks, only to find that their heart is in good health.

But during a panic attack, it's very easy to not believe that anxiety can be causing the problem. After all, the pains and sensations are all real, and many people cannot help but fear that they indicate something very serious and that if left untreated, you may be likely to die. It's a very common problem in those with anxiety, even after doctor's visits.

This is likely to contribute to a long term fear of death, as well as a fear of further panic attacks because of a concern that they're something other than anxiety.

Hypochondria

Similarly, no matter how hard you try to convince yourself that what you're experiencing it's anxiety - and no matter how many doctor's visits you have - it's not uncommon to develop hypochondria, which is often directly related to the fear of death. Those with panic attacks often convince themselves that they likely have a broad range of health problems including:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Lyme Disease
• Various Cancers
• Brain Tumors

Only a doctor can rule these out, of course, but no matter how often you visit your doctor you may find that it becomes nearly impossible to believe that there isn't something more physical causing your anxiety symptoms, and that can create a fear of diseases that may contribute to an early death.

All of these are reasons that the fear of death is common in those with anxiety attacks. If this sounds like you, don't forget to take my anxiety test now.

Fear of Death From Other Types of Anxiety

Other types of anxiety are also associated with creating a fear of death, although these may be less common. These include:

• Generalized Anxiety DisorderGeneralized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is a disorder where the mind often thinks negative and stressful thoughts. One of those thoughts may be about death and dying, and if you think about this thought too much it may develop into a fear or phobia.
• Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderThose with PTSD because of an especially traumatic event may easily develop a fear of death, often related to the event. This may be especially common in those that consider themselves lucky for surviving something, so they start to focus on dangers and fear the results of risks.
• Obsessive Compulsive DisorderWhile it may not affect 100% of all of those with OCD, many people develop obsessions about physical danger. For example: "What if I'm hit by a car today?" or "what if these germs kill me?" This may result in a fear of anything that resembles danger, which is very closely related to a fear of death.

Fear of Death Phobia - a Cause

The more official name of the phobia where one fears dying is Thanatophobia. Thanatophobia is not always a phobia. Remember, nearly everyone fears death in some way. While some people fear it more than others, there is some degree of fear that is actually healthy. If you didn't fear death, you may put yourself in many significant dangers.

It's only when the phobia drastically alters the way you live your life that it becomes a serious problem. If you go out of your way to avoid social situations, or you are intensely afraid of anything that even resembles danger to the point where it causes significant disruption in your life, your fear of death may be a more serious problem.

There are also lesser fears of death that aren't necessarily a problem but may develop other problems. Some theorize that many people with panic attacks may already have a fear of death, which is why their panic attacks were so severe. It's important to talk to a therapist if you are unsure whether your fear of death is a cause of a symptom of your anxiety.

Can You Treat the Fear of Death?

Treating the fear of death is a bit tricky, because it's a fear that is generally healthy to have. You would never want your fear of death to go away completely. You simply want it to stop running your life.

You'll first have to find out if the fear of death is a symptom or a cause. If it's a phobia, you'll need to address it like any other phobia - see how your fear of death affects you and try to utilize desensitization techniques so that the fear isn't as powerful.

If it's a symptom, then you don't want to target the fear of death itself. Instead, you want to target the type of anxiety that is causing those death fears. Only then should you successfully be able to live a life where the fear of death has less of an impact.

Take my 7 minute anxiety test to learn more. The test looks at your answers to help figure out the type of anxiety you suffer from, and then uses those answers to develop strategies for treatment.

Start the test here.

Understanding Emotions

Understanding Emotions

Taking care of Yourself

Your Feelings may change a lot. IT is common to feel a sense of loss. Cry when you need to. Sometimes we tried to be strong by being silent. Being strong so that you don’t burden your family is a natural reaction. You may want to protect your family by not sharing your feeling with them. Try not to let your worries or a busy life get in the way of caring for yourself. IT is not always easy to accept help, but getting help is a sign of strength.

You can Get through this

When you Need Extra Help

Healing takes times.  It’s OK to feel sad for yourself, as long as it doesn’t last too long or keep you from getting treatment. If it does, you may need to ask for help.

            Ask your doctor, counselors or talk to some one whom you trust.

            Its important for you to do what makes you feel the most comfortable.

I’ve been dealing with my cancer in stages. My first reaction was fear. As I went through it, my faith got greater, and I came out with hope.”

I was the key part of my family. I had to be strong for them, so I never really faced what I was going through.

I think the hardest part is that my life is not like it was. I had to readjust. You’ve got rearrange things.

Getting Support

Seeking Positive People and Help

When we are stressed, it helps us to be with positive and supportive people. Family, Friends, Support Groups, and your spiritual community may offer the kind of help and comfort you need. Your healthcare team , including your social worker, can also be a resource for you.

Sometimes people do not know how to be sensitive or understanding. They may be afraid for you or in a bad mood. You do not have to share with people who are negative and unsupportive. You can decide who you want to talk to and go for support.

Things to think about.

Family and Friends. Tell them how you feel and what you need. Don’t be shy about explaining things they might not know.

Your Family may feel like they have to Fix the Cancer. They may feel frustrated that they cant. Let them know that fixing it is not their job. But being there for you is.

Let your support persons know that it is OK to have their own life. Some times you may need a break from each other.

First Reaction to Diagnosis

First Reaction to Diagnosis

We all felt different things when we first heard the words “ You have Cancer “ Some of us felt afraid, Shock, Denial, Fear and worry are normal first reactions.

Healing is a process. It is a journey It takes time.

These are feeling that many of us had after hearing we had Cancer

·      Shock and Denial

·      No one in my family has cancer. It cant be true.

·      I was shocked. When my test was always negative

Fear

·      Will I Survive

·      Who will take care of me and my family if I’m sick

·      Will I come back?

Financial Worries

·      Will my health insurance cover my treatment

·      What happens if  i cant afford to pay

·      I don’t have health insurance. Will I still be able to afford the treatment

·      Will I loose my Job

Accepting the Diagnosis

When I first heard I had Cancer I didn’t think Why me ? I thought what Next ?

Today I am not fine spiritually, mentally, emotionally May be some day I will be.“

Reasons to Seek Medical Treatment

If I take care of myself first then I can take care of others.

The Scriptures tell us to take care of our bodies

I have more things to do with my life

I want to get married, have kids or even see Children grow up

We owe it to ourselves and to our family to seek and stay connected to medical care.

Taking the Next Step

 In times of stress, it is easy to forget what helps us cope. We found that connecting with other people is an important part of moving forward.

Below are three steps to take toward healing yourself

1.     Understand Your Cancer.

Cancer is not a death statement. Being told you have cancer is very serious, but it does not mean you will die from it. It is important to get the treatment you need and stay connected to medical care and support people.

East persons body, diagnosis and treatment are different Find out what type of cancer you have and the best treatment for you. Your doctor can help you to understand the cancer. Even if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, you may still live an active life.

2.    Get Medical Treatment

Go for help right away. Because each person is different, your treatment may different from another person treatment. Ask your doctor to write down all the treatments you could have. Its your body and you have the right to ask all the questions you need to understand everything about your cancer.

3.    Get Connected

Self

You are a person with feelings and goals

You may want to spend some time alone or with others. Plan time to connect to yourself.

Friends and Family

Share your feelings with special people in your life. Tell them the best way they can help you. Connect with family and friends by having them take notes at your doctors appointments.

Spirituality

Get in touch with your spiritual feelings through God nature and prayers. Make time to connect to your spirituality.

Other Survivors

It may be easier to talk to other who have lived through cancer than close friends and family. Many are happy to share their experiences. Make plans to connect with them.

If you don’t know any survivors, call our help line or email us we will connect you.

Making Decisions

Managing Information

When we first heard that we had cancer, many of us felt like we were on an emotional roller -coaster.  We were overwhelmed. Not just by thoughts of death, but by so many decisions.

You might need to make a decision as to who you’re going to listen to. There’s so much information out there and so many people trying to tell you what to do.

Getting the Best Care

Finding the right doctor is one of your first and most important decisions. Although many of us knew what we  wanted, we realized that it might not be possible to find a doctor with all the qualities we needed and wanted.

Questions we asked when choosing our doctor and treatment

  Is this Doctor some one…

·      I trust and respect

·      Who will give me honest answers

·      Who will let me express my feelings and help me with them ?

·      Who is willing to explain things more than once ?

·      Who makes me feel safe and Comfortable ?

Before you select a treatment ask your doctor….

·      What medical tests will I need before starting treatment ? Why do I need these tests ?

·      Do I have a choice of treatments ? What are they ?

·      Will one treatment work better than the others ?

·      How much time can I take to make a decision ?

·      How can I get health insurance, if I don’t have it ?

·      Is there any Pharma Companies who can assist me with my treatment

·      How will I pay for the treatment ?

About the treatment

·      How many treatments will I need and over how long a period of time ?

·      How long will each treatment take ?

·      How will the treatment be given ?

·      Can I work and get around during treatment ?

·      What side  effects might I have from treatment ?

Can I stop them from happening ?

           

Check list for getting the best care

           

·       Write down your questions, Symptoms and worries , Bring the list with you.

·      Take someone with you who will help you. They can help take notes and listen to what the doctors says.

·      Ask your doctor that you want to take a Second Opinion. You have the right to get a second opinion.

·      Ask for copies of your test results.

·      Tell your doctors about your fears and concerns so that they can help you.

           

        

How Art Helped to Heal Me

 

The first time I learned of suicide was on a skiing trip when I was fifteen years old. My Dad and I were on a winter retreat through his work. My Dad’s friend was there. We had skied with his family before. I knew that he had a son the same age as me. As I waved “Hi” to Gary, my Dad pulled me aside. He whispered, “Don’t ask him about his son. His son committed suicide a few weeks ago.” As my heart dropped, so did my jaw. I remembered Gary’s son as happy, go-lucky. We would always crack jokes together. How could such a seemingly happy kid kill himself?

My Dad said, “His son was in love with a girl who moved away and he committed suicide a week later. There were several things I learned that day. I learned that a smile can be used to hide the pain. I realized that unless we take the time to ask, we do not know what someone else is going through. Just taking the time to listen and to get to know someone can make a huge difference. I have never forgotten the lesson that Scott, Gary’s son, taught me. A smile on the outside can hide the pain that is on the inside. This is when I learned the importance of listening.

Six years ago, my best friend, came to my house crying. She confided in me that her thirteen-year-old son tried to commit suicide. He had been cutting himself for the past few months. She had put him in counseling, but still, he attempted to cut his wrists. Thankfully, he was unsuccessful, because little did he know that he had a whole wonderful life ahead of him. I asked her what different activities he liked. She said that he enjoyed drawing and had taken an interest in art. It was at this moment that I knew how my husband and I could help.

How I dealt with dark times in my life

At this point in my life, I understood how painful life could be. I remembered a dark time in my life when I was eighteen. My first love had broken up with me and I felt lost in a world turned upside down. I had no idea how to go on with my life without him. My older self-shakes my head at the dramatic nature of my younger self. It seemed as if my life ended. The sunshine had ceased to exist and I entered into a barren, bleak land. I experienced a deep depression overrun with suicidal thoughts. It was at this point that I learned of the therapeutic, healing power of art.

As I learned to express my feelings of depression and hopelessness, I realized that my heart, my spirit were being healed. Through each brush stroke came a new sensation, a surge of confidence. I started smiling again. Also, I realized that I had a whole life ahead of me that was meant to be lived. In truth, I was lucky that I unearthed a passion. One day I walked past a craft store. I stopped and purchased canvas and paint. This was the day I painted my first painting the “Sea of Betrayal”. The journey of healing oneself is a process.

I knew first-hand that art could heal an aching heart and soul. Georges Braque said, “Art is a wound turned into light.” My wound, the loss of my first love, was turned into art. As I let the light of art in, I found myself in the darkness. My husband is one of those natural artists that was born with a sketch pad in his hand. At restaurants, he will be doodling on the napkins. He cannot go anywhere without a pencil and a notebook. This is probably one of the reasons we fell in love. We understood the need; the drive; and the desire to create something.

Art in the Park

Together, we started a free art program called “Art in the Park”. Each week we would set up different art projects, at local parks, for parents and their children to participate in. It was amazing, week after week, to see the faces of families light up. It was through this program that my husband and I learned that we loved teaching and sharing art with others. So, I approached my husband about teaching my best friend’s son how to paint. We hoped that painting would have a therapeutic, healing effect on him.

So Simon, my best friend’s son, started coming over each week. My husband taught him how to make his own canvas; how to paint; and to blend colors. He would come over, play with our kids, paint, and truly became a part of our family. It was through his art that he began to express himself. He drew more, talked more in therapy, and started opening up. Simon found a way to express his feelings and to create something beautiful in the process. Today, six years later, he is still painting. His talent is continually expanding.

Don’t Give Up On Life

Simon, now nineteen years old, works in the medical field. He helps elderly patients each day. When you ask him about his job a big smile crosses his face. Recently, he painted his mother an incredible forest that she shows off proudly. This young man, who once desperately needed help himself, is helping others. It brings me great joy to hear of the life he is living. He learned how to express himself and found himself in the process. At times it can seem hard to live the life you have, but you must push through to find the light.

It felt amazing to help this young thirteen-year-old boy. He found his passion while realizing that there was an amazing life ready to be lived. Most of all, his mom was supportive, encouraged him, and helped to guide him through the choppy sea that he was lost in. A helping hand can raise us up to new levels that we hadn’t dared to dream of before. Each of us experiences dark times, life can seem unfair and harsh. Do not give up during the trying times, from my own personal experience, I know that there are sunnier days ahead.

If I would have committed suicide, when my first love broke up with me, I would have missed out on the past nineteen years. There are countless adventures I probably would not have gone on. I wouldn’t have felt the warm California sun on my face when I packed my car and on a whim moved out there. I might not have met my husband or had my two children. Similarly, I wouldn’t have been able to help both my parents when they became ill. Consequently, I would have missed out on a million smiles, hours of laughter, and true joy. I would have missed out on my life.

Find a reason to live

One day I walked past a craft store and found a reason to live. If you are having suicidal thoughts reach out to someone. In addition, not only painting can help, but countless talks with my Mom saved me. Consequently, Simon was healed through art; he had unconditional love, support from his family and friends. Besides, we are never alone when we reach out, there is someone who is willing to listen. There is someone who understands. Painting, writing, exercising, talking are all therapeutic. I found myself through art and writing. Art has taken me on an incredible healing journey. When you are feeling down, you should look for support from friends and family. You can join a depression forum to learn more about how you can cope.

Rachel Naomi Ramen, a physician said, “At the deepest level, the creative process and the healing process arise from a single source. I have learned first-hand the healing power of art – when you are an artist, you are a healer. On my worst days, I pick up a pen or a paintbrush. I let my feelings flow from my heart onto paper or canvas. When I finish I feel better, my spirit is lifted and my heart becomes less heavy. Therefore, let yourself be healed; let yourself be helped, and most importantly let yourself live! This lifetime is meant to be lived, by you, each and every day.

Clearing Away Brain Fog: Interventions for Mental Fatigue

by Ana Valério | Apr 20, 2017 | 0 comments

Although it is not a clinically recognized term, brain fog is a commonly used definition to describe periods of mental confusion or lack of focus, leading to a decrease in cognitive performance and inability to think clearly. Individuals who experience brain fog do not exhibit complete cognitive disability or dementia, but they appear to have deficits in working memory, information processing, and attention, which then may translate into decreased productivity. A variety of factors can contribute to brain fog: it can be lifestyle related, caused by an underlying medical condition, or come up as a side effect of medications.

What Can Cause Brain Fog and What Is Its Impact on Daily Life?

Causes of brain fog and mild cognitive impairment have been investigated and it is believed that, as a whole, the symptoms experienced may be viewed as the interaction of physiological, cognitive, and perceptual factors.

Since to date, there are no standard methods to evaluate the subjective complaint of brain fog and dependence on self-reporting is necessary. The variety of symptoms experienced by patients suggests central nervous system impairment, ranging from prolonged fatigue and lightheadedness to temporary neurocognitive deficits, which can be exacerbated by stressful stimuli such as difficult mental tasks, exercise, and orthostatic stress.

Brain fog periods are characterized by deficits in speed and efficiency of information processing, attention, concentration, and working memory. Some of the most reported symptoms include the inability to concentrate, difficulty in thinking and focusing, forgetfulness, disorganized thinking, communication difficulties and difficulty to properly verbalize or write what the person wants to say. Some individuals also complain of drowsiness and low levels of energy.

What triggers brain fog?

Some of the most frequently reported brain fog triggers are fatigue, lack of sleep, prolonged standing, and dehydration. Chronic dehydration causes shrinkage of brain tissue and has negative effects on cognitive performance. Studies show that following dehydration, an increased perceived mental effort may be required.

Brain fog is also aggravated by upright posture and experienced frequently in individuals with postural hypotension. Postural hypotension is characterized by a drop-in blood pressure due to a change in posture, by moving to a more vertical position. This causes a temporary reduction in blood flow and a shortage of oxygen to the brain, leading to short periods of loss of consciousness.

Brain fog could be triggered by the excessive reductions in cerebral blood flow that often occurs when upright, and cognitive impairments may be associated with impaired cardiovascular hemodynamics, decreased total cerebral blood flow, and altered activation of cerebral blood flow during mental tasks. Alternatively, brain fog is also reported to persist after assuming a recumbent posture, suggesting that it may have a multifactorial etiology, with factors not restricted solely to prolonged upright posture. Future research looks to further explore these interactions, how they produce cognitive impairments, and explain the perception of brain fog from a mechanistic standpoint.

What Can Be Done to Minimize or Prevent Brain Fog?

There are innumerable causes of brain fog that might be difficult to determine. Firstly, it is important to evaluate if cognitive impairment is being triggered by medication or by a medical condition. The list below contains some of the most common drugs that can cause confusion and cognitive symptoms as side effects. If you suspect that a medication is affecting your thinking, talk to your doctor about reducing the dose or substituting the drug.

If the fog is being caused by a medical condition, making lifestyle changes will only help to a certain extent and you should discuss with your doctor the possibility of taking medication to keep it under control. On the other hand, if you think it might be a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle, you can implement some healthy habits in order to fix it.

There are some important factors to keep in mind in order to achieve optimal brain function. Some habits may take some time until you start to feel mentally clearer and it is important to stick to a treatment routine for at least 4 weeks, before dismissing it as being ineffective.

Water intake

A common trigger from brain fog is dehydration. Water comprises from 75% body weight in infants to 55% in the elderly, and it is essential for cellular homeostasis and life. Drinking water and brain function are integrally linked and prolonged states of reduced water intake adversely impact cognitive function. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily is highly recommended to guarantee proper hydration and optimal brain function.

Nutritional deficiencies

The human brain is nearly 60% fat, and fatty acids are among the most crucial molecules that determine the brain’s integrity and ability to perform. Essential fatty acids are required for maintenance f optimal brain function, but they cannot be synthetized by the body and must be obtained from dietary sources. These essential fatty acids are based on linoleic acid (omega-6 group) and alpha-linoleic acid (omega-3 group).

Beyond their important role in building the brain structure, fatty acids act as messengers and are involved in the synthesis and functions of brain neurotransmitters that determine optimal brain performance. While using dietary supplements may seem the easiest way to get your daily dose of essential fatty acids, consuming food sources such as nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and oily fish from cold water, such as herring or salmon, is necessary as well. Incorporating essential fatty acids in a balanced diet is necessary to pursuit optimal wellness. In addition, consider taking a multivitamin supplement in order to fill any nutritional gap.

B-complex vitamins also have a great impact on neurological health. They are essential for proper brain function and transmission of nerve signals, and vitamin B deficiency can lead to neurological complications. B vitamins can be found in whole unprocessed foods, like whole grains, legumes and fruit, and foods from animal origin, such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. However, the B12 vitamin can’t be found in plant products, so individuals who don’t include animal or animal derived products in their diet are at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and should evaluate if supplementation is needed.

Stimulant withdrawal

Most people rely on caffeine rich products (coffee or energy drinks) due to their stimulant effect to increase energy and focus. However, caffeine only acts as a short term solution, and tolerance will develop over time. If you suddenly stop using caffeine, you may experience a more severe kind of brain fog than before you started using it.

Exercise

Exercise is considered to be both a trigger and a treatment for brain fog. Acute exercise was reported to make brain fog worse, yet regular aerobic exercise was reported to improve it. Exercise often worsens orthostatic intolerance symptoms, especially fatigue, which in turn could trigger brain fog. However, it is known that exercise increases blood circulation to the brain and enhances neural activity and a regular cardiovascular exercise program has been proved to have profound physiological and clinical benefits in orthostatic intolerant patients. Epidemiological studies have found positive correlations between cognitive performance and physical activity in healthy adolescents, however, the effect of exercise on cognitive performance is yet unknown. Nevertheless, regular aerobic exercise may improve cognition and general health and staying active leads to more long-term improvements in cognitive function than sedentarism.

Sleep

Poor quality or quantity of sleep for an extended period clearly impairs your ability to learn, respond quickly, and perform complex tasks in the face of distractions or changing information. Always make an effort to take proactive measures to reduce stress and practice good sleep hygiene, by going to bed and waking at the same time each day and maintaining a balanced and regular sleep pattern.

If you need support, you should consider joining a support group or chronic disease support groups.

Brain fog is a problem that can severely affect daily performance and well-being and, to date, a single cause for this symptoms remains unknown. While some people may respond well to making healthy lifestyle changes, such as implementing a diet plan or improving sleep quality, in other cases, brain fog can be a symptom of a health condition that needs proper evaluation by a professional. If you feel brain fog affects your life and ability to function, talk to your doctor and perform a self-evaluation in order to identify triggers and come up with a solution.

Join an health care forum and support group to learn more about how to cope with brain fog and other chronic diseases.

References

1. Ocon, A. (2013). Caught in the thickness of brain fog: Exploring the cognitive symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.Frontiers in physiology, 4. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23576989
2. Jason, L. A., Boulton, A., Porter, N. S., Jessen, T., & Njoku, M. G. (2010). Classification of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome by types of fatigue. Behav Med,36(1), 24-31. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4852700
3. Ross, A., Medow, Rowe, P., & Stewart, J. (2013). What is brain fog? An evaluation of the symptom in postural tachycardia syndrome.Clinical autonomic research: official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society., 23(6), 305–11. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23999934
4. Kempton, M., Ettinger, U., Foster, R., Williams, S., Calvert, G., Hampshire, A., Smith (2010). Dehydration affects brain structure and function in healthy adolescents.Human brain mapping., 32(1), 71–9. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20336685
5. Popkin, B. M., D’Anci, K. E., & Rosenberg, I. H. (2010). Water, hydration and health: Rev.,68(8), 439-458. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954
6. Chang, C., Ke, D., & Chen, J. (2010). Essential fatty acids and human brain.Acta neurologica Taiwanica., 18(4), 231–41. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20329590
7. LARRY, J. N. (2017). Overview of vitamins – nutritional disorders – Merck manuals professional edition. Retrieved February 23, 2017, from http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/vitamin-deficiency,-dependency,-and-toxicity/overview-of-vitamins

Ana Valério

Ana is a Doctor of Pharmacy currently working in Medical Writing and Healthcare Communications.