Can fibromyalgia affect my memory?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:If you keep forgetting names and where you put your keys, fibromyalgia isn't necessarily to blame. Like gray hair and wrinkles, memory problems can be a feature of aging. However, many people with fibromyalgia complain that they have become forgetful and have other cognitive problems, such as a poor attention span. There's even a name for this mental fuzziness linked to fibromyalgia: fibro fog.
A few small clinical studies seem to confirm that fibro fog is real. For instance, one study found that people with fibromyalgia scored below average when asked to recall words from a list. Some scientists believe that pain may contribute to memory problems and other mental effects. Remembering that much may help you stick with your fibromyalgia management plan.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulIf you keep forgetting names and where you put your keys, fibromyalgia isn't necessarily to blame. Like gray hair and wrinkles, memory problems can be a feature of aging. However, many people with fibromyalgia complain that they have become... More -
Celeste Cooper answered:The cognitive disturbance, inability to remember or stay focused is a common characteristic of fibromyalgia and is sometimes called brain fog. This condition can be an obstacle to coping.
It can cause:
- short-term memory problems
- loss in sense of direction
- difficult finding or forming words
- dyslexia
- transposition of letters when writing
- lose a train of thought mid-sentence
It can be exacerbated by:
- hormonal fluctuations
- sleep disruption
- non-restorative sleep
- anxiety, stress or depression
- mental or physical fatigue
- diet high in carbohydrates
- undiagnosed or under treated hypothyroidism
Tips for coping can be found in our book http://store.innertraditions.com/isbn/978-1-59477-323-5
Find out more about this book: Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofa...
The cognitive disturbance, inability to remember or stay focused is a common characteristic of fibromyalgia and is sometimes called brain fog. This condition can be an obstacle to coping. It can cause: short-term memory problems loss in sense of... More -
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum answered:"Brain fog" (also known as "fibrofog") is a routine part of fibromyalgia. It is associated with difficulty with short-term memory as well as difficulty with word finding and substitution. Fortunately, mental function improves along with energy and pain relief when using the “SHINE Protocol.” It can be scary and sometimes people with "fibrofog" are afraid that they are developing Alzheimer's. But these are two different things. "Fibrofog" is when you keep forgetting where you left the keys. Alzheimer's is when you forget how to use your keys.
Helpful? 2 people found this helpful"Brain fog" (also known as "fibrofog") is a routine part of fibromyalgia. It is associated with difficulty with short-term memory as well as difficulty with word finding and substitution. Fortunately, mental function improves along with energy and... More -
Yes, fibromyalgia usually presents in younger adult females as chronic widespread pain, stiffness, fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns, and cognitive difficulties. Northwestern University did a study in which they found that chronic pain affects the pre-frontal cortex, the area associated with memory. The chronic pain, which patient's with fibromyalgia have, are similarly affecting their memories. Also, sleep and memory have been shown to have important associations and the disruption in sleep patterns which patient's with fibromyalgia have is playing a role in these patients finding that they are having some cognitive difficulties.
Yes, fibromyalgia usually presents in younger adult females as chronic widespread pain, stiffness, fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns, and cognitive difficulties. Northwestern University did a study in which they found that chronic pain affects the... More
