From shattering your short-term memory to making it feel impossible to focus, brain fog can significantly impact your daily life. Reduced cognitive function is a common symptom of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), and can easily lead to self-isolation and depression. However, there are some ways to manage brain fog and even reduce its impact.
What is brain fog?
The term “brain fog” refers to cognitive symptoms such as:
- Forgetfulness, particularly with short-term memory.
- Difficulty thinking clearly.
- Problems concentrating.
- Searching for words.
- Feeling less able to plan ahead, organize or multitask (called “reduced executive function”).
- Taking longer to process information.
Brain fog is not unique to ATTR-CM, and occurs in a number of other health conditions. It can also be caused by medications, hormones, pregnancy, ADHD, thyroid disease and chronic disease (to name just a few).
Why does brain fog occur in ATTR-CM?
In ATTR-CM, brain fog is a consequence of amyloid deposits building up in the heart. As the heart muscle progressively thickens and stiffens, the pumping of oxygen-rich blood around the body is impacted. This means that less oxygen reaches the brain, affecting cognitive function. Fatigue, dizziness or feeling light-headed are also commonly reported in heart failure.
In people living with ATTR-CM, medications such as beta-blockers and diuretics, poor quality sleep and low mental health can also contribute to reduced cognitive function.
Read more about ATTR-CM signs and symptoms
Tips for managing brain fog in ATTR-CM
Living with brain fog is hard for anyone, but that’s especially true when it comes on top of other ATTR-CM symptoms. Here are some techniques that can help you manage and potentially improve brain fog in your daily life:
Build routines and document them: Jot down your daily and weekly schedule, with times, addresses, contacts and all available details. As a backup plan, tell your family and close friends about your plans.
Use memory reminders: Use sticky notes, voice memos, appointment reminders on your smartphone and clearly labeled pillboxes to keep track of daily life and medications.
Ask for help: Be open about needing support when organizing or planning. Ask your loved ones to help out with reminders or tasks you find difficult to manage.
Stimulate your brain: Brain quizzes, puzzles and games have been shown to improve cognition.
Be physically active: Low-impact physical movement will boost your circulation and mood, a one-two punch that can help reduce brain fog.
Get good quality sleep: To help get more restful sleep, follow a nighttime routine and create a bedroom conducive to sleeping. Blackout curtains, a white noise machine, relaxing aromatherapy and other small changes can all help you get to sleep easier.
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