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Fog in the head, cloudy consciousness, wobbly head... Today, more and more often, it is with such “vague” complaints that people of different ages turn to the doctor. As practice shows, such a condition can indicate many diseases, but most often it is a manifestation of one of two causes - cerebrovascular accident or neurosis.
At a consultation with a neurologist:
- Conducts an inspection;
- Listens to patient complaints;
- Make a preliminary diagnosis;
- If necessary, he will refer you for additional studies, which can be completed in our center;
- will prescribe an individual course of treatment.
In each of these cases, the feeling of fog in the head is accompanied by a number of characteristic symptoms and requires its own treatment method.
How does emptiness manifest in your head?
Fatigue after sleep is a sign of poor blood supply to the brain or stress.
Frequent occurrence of fogginess is rarely accompanied by a single symptom. In most cases, additional signs of violations appear:
- dizziness, feeling of vibration of reality and surrounding objects;
- noise, ringing in the ears;
- cognitive disorders – the head is empty, the brain does not think, the thought process becomes impossible;
- many patients have speech problems and are unable to form complex sentences;
- memory deteriorates greatly;
- weakness and drowsiness occurs;
- lack of feeling of rest even after a long sleep;
- interest in previous affairs disappears.
Physiological symptoms are added to psycho-emotional symptoms. Hypertension, arrhythmia, a feeling of constriction in the chest, headaches, and sweating appear. Instead of hypertension, a decrease in blood pressure may be observed.
Why do thoughts get lost?
If the feeling of loss of thought is not a painful symptom, but arose in a mentally healthy person, then outwardly the behavior does not change in any way. The feeling of anxiety that may accompany this sensation can be easily hidden.
The above-described difference in the behavior of people experiencing the feeling that they are losing their thoughts is one of the important diagnostic criteria for doctors in assessing the mental state of a patient who complains of “loss of thoughts.”
Mechanisms of formation
Doctors divide the feeling that thoughts are easily lost according to the reasons and mechanisms of development into two groups:
- Conditions of asthenia.
- The consequence of painful disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.
Asthenic conditions are a protective reaction of the body to overwork, lack of nutrition, a large amount of stress, somatic diseases (diseases of internal organs), poisoning (consequences of intoxication), etc.
The asthenic state is based on the so-called “extraordinary protective inhibition” reflex in the nervous system. This reflex was developed and consolidated in the process of evolution to protect the functioning of the central nervous system and higher mental functions of a person.
The feeling that you easily lose your thoughts during asthenic conditions is of a “benign” nature, often without any help or influence, and goes away on its own after rest. In addition, with asthenia, other phenomena of the so-called asthenic circle are observed:
- sleep disturbances (drowsiness during the day, insomnia at night),
- altered appetite
- autonomic disorders (headaches, palpitations, trembling or trembling sensations, etc.),
- irritability and increased fatigue.
Causes of emptiness in the head
The feeling occurs against the background of many serious pathologies and some natural physiological processes. The most common group is neuropsychiatric disorders:
- astheno-neurotic syndrome - occurs in people who are subject to intellectual stress and are also employed in areas of high responsibility;
- chronic overwork and stress are the initial stages of many mental disorders and deviations;
- depression – there are at least 10 types of pathology that require the help of a psychotherapist.
Active hormonal changes can cause feelings of confusion and brain fog. They are especially common in women during pregnancy and menopause. However, there are no pathological symptoms in these cases.
Vegetative-vascular dystonia
VSD is a syndrome that is often associated with osteochondrosis and other diseases. It has a lot of specific symptoms, and therapy requires consultation with a doctor. Manifestations of VSD include the following stable conditions:
- decreased ability to work, lethargy, apathy;
- a feeling of fog in the eyes and heaviness, futility in the head;
- memory impairment;
- insomnia and sleep disorders;
- anxiety and fears;
- nausea, stomach pain;
- lack of air, fainting;
- tachycardia and tremor of the limbs;
- hypertension or low blood pressure;
- tinnitus.
To correct the syndrome, lifestyle changes are required.
Lack of oxygen
Hypoxia is another symptom of circulatory problems and osteochondrosis. With a lack of oxygen, memory and thought processes deteriorate. It causes compression of blood vessels. Other factors can also provoke hypoxia: a stuffy room, smoking, previous skull injuries, runny nose, low or completely limited motor activity.
Meniere's disease
The pathology is characterized by inflammation of the inner ear, in which a lot of excess fluid accumulates inside. It puts pressure on nerve endings, causing:
- nausea;
- tinnitus or hearing loss;
- balance problems;
- persistent dizziness;
- congestion in the ears.
It is difficult for the patient to bend over and get up from a lying position.
The most dangerous condition is brain cancer, in which wooliness and fogginess of the head are accompanied by severe morning pain. Drowsiness and heaviness increase with minor physical exertion. Similar symptoms also occur with benign neoplasms.
Other factors
A long-term sedentary lifestyle can cause a feeling of fog in the head and weakness.
Frequent occurrence of heaviness in the head, emptiness, confusion of thoughts can be a consequence of an incorrect lifestyle and excessive zeal of a person. Common factors include:
- alcohol abuse;
- little sleep – up to 6 hours for a long time;
- drug use in any quantity;
- nightly adventures in clubs and noisy parties;
- refusal of physical activity and constant sitting at the computer;
- abuse of medications: antibiotics, NSAIDs, glucocorticosteroids, antidepressants, nootropics, sedatives, cold remedies.
With prolonged disruption of the balanced work and rest regime, even with full physical health, you can soon encounter neurological problems. Over time, they will develop into disorders and physiological pathologies.
If the thought is lost
Call us and we will conduct a full diagnosis and can quickly help you!
Treatment usually proceeds quickly and always brings a positive effect.
Possible related complaints
- Obsessions
- Repetitive thoughts
- Negligence
- Memory problems
- The need to check or double check
- Do everything slowly to avoid mistakes
- It's easy to get lost in thought
- Difficulty making decisions
- Feeling that something is stopping you from doing something
- Difficulty concentrating
- Need for repetition of actions
Everyone knows the feeling of losing their thoughts. However, such a one-time experience is usually not even noticed. There is nothing wrong with this phenomenon. But if the feeling of slight distractibility, loss of thought recurs periodically, then this almost always causes anxiety.
In addition to the fact that the feeling of loss of thought can be observed in healthy individuals, the feeling of loss of thought is one of the symptoms that can be a manifestation of a wide range of mental disorders and diseases. Below we will analyze in more detail the phenomenon of “thoughts are easily lost” and describe the features of this symptom as a manifestation of the disease and a variant of the norm.
How is it experienced by a person?
The experience of thoughts being lost, confused, and confused can be accompanied by a feeling of confusion and anxiety. Less often, panic and fear of “going crazy.” In some cases, such states are accompanied by a feeling that thoughts “seem to have stopped” for a while, “the head is empty”, “there are no thoughts”, it is very difficult to concentrate and force oneself to return to the lost associative process. In others, the feeling that you easily lose a thought accompanies an influx of thoughts, “there are a lot of thoughts in your head,” attention cannot focus on one association, constantly being “distracted by other thoughts.”
Externally, the behavior of a person experiencing such conditions changes only if such disturbances have a painful basis (that is, they are symptoms of some mental disorder). In this case, a person is not able to engage in his usual activities, he cannot understand and assimilate the material he read, habitual actions that were previously performed automatically, unconsciously, “without thinking” do not work out, or it will take a lot of willpower to perform simple actions.
In this state, a person is unable to work and needs the help of a specialist psychotherapist.
Options
Psychotherapists describe two types of behavior when they feel that the usual train of thought is easily lost, which arose due to painful reasons: hyperkinetic and hypokinetic.
- The hyperkinetic type of behavior is manifested by motor activity: a person does not find a place for himself, “throws about” in confusion, is restless, tries to run out, to leave his place.
- The hypokinetic type of reaction to the feeling of loss of thought resembles stupor, “numbness”; the person seems to freeze, does not move, or the movements are small and have a stereotypical nature (“fiddle with” fingers, twitching limbs, “biting nails”, etc.).
Diagnostic methods
Incorrect anatomical location of the vessels of the neck
To identify the cause of the feeling of emptiness in the head, you need to seek advice from a psychotherapist or neurologist. Both specialists take part in the treatment of neuropsychic disorders and diseases, including the fight against VSD and osteochondrosis.
To diagnose, doctors may need tests and procedures:
- blood and urine donation;
- ECG;
- MRI of the head and neck;
- X-ray of the spine in different parts;
- Vascular ultrasound;
- encephalography.
These examination methods will help exclude possible physiological changes.
Severe depression causes
Severe depression usually occurs for two reasons: psychological and physiological.
For psychological reasons, depression can develop as a result of stress or any traumatic situation. This could be the death of a loved one or relative, physical or moral violence, a terrible disaster in which a person became a participant, and many others. Usually, after two months, the depressive state can go away, but without proper help it drags on and severe depression can develop.
A number of seemingly insignificant unpleasant life situations present in a person’s life for quite a long time can become a source of constant stress. Lack of material resources; work that doesn't bring you joy; forced living with unpleasant people; deterioration in the quality of life due to any chronic disease - all this can be attributed to a constant stressful situation.
Severe depression can develop due to frustration - a condition in which a person constantly feels that his desires are impossible to fulfill.
An existential crisis can simultaneously act as both a cause and a manifestation of depression. It is expressed in the loss of life goals, a feeling of the meaninglessness of existence, and an imbalance of harmony.
The physiological causes of depression have completely different roots. Alcohol and drug use, menopause, cerebrovascular accidents, severe fatigue, chronic diseases, lack of proper nutrition - this is just a small list of physiological disorders that can lead to severe depression. An important fact is that depression rarely develops for any one reason; often several factors lead to it. And successful treatment is only possible if all the causes of this mental disorder are taken into account.
Treatment methods for the condition
Magnetic therapy of the vessels of the neck and head helps improve blood circulation.
To eliminate discomfort, it is important to begin the fight against the underlying disease. Different methods can be used:
- Drugs. For depression and certain disorders, antidepressants are prescribed. Nootropics are used to improve cognitive functions. Substances that stimulate blood circulation are used for osteochondrosis and mental disorders. Appropriate means are also selected to combat hypertension.
- Folk remedies. Some conditions, such as low blood pressure, can be managed using unconventional methods. Herbal tinctures, special diets, decoctions and herbal teas are prescribed.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures. They occupy an important place in the treatment of physical and mental illnesses. Physiotherapy for VSD and osteochondrosis is very useful: electrophoresis, hirudotherapy, acupuncture, laser treatment, magnetic fields and infrared light.
- Massage and manual therapy. Prescribed for neurological disorders, as well as for diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Normalization of work and rest, sleep and diet are the most important foundations for the recovery of patients.
It is recommended to engage in your favorite sports, especially swimming, spend more time in the air and nature, travel outside the city and avoid severe stressful situations. This will help in the treatment and prevention of exacerbations of diseases and mental disorders.
The feeling of emptiness in the head is specific and often occurs along with a dozen other unpleasant symptoms. Problems with blood circulation, osteochondrosis, VSD and even depression - all this can be the cause of poor health. To deal with it, you need to undergo a full diagnosis.
Severe depression signs
If a person does not have the strength and desire to do anything, if he cannot force himself to do anything, and at the same time is constantly in a bad, depressed mood, then this indicates signs of a depressive state. Manifestations of depression also include constant laziness, which disguises apathy. The fact is that during severe depression, a person’s brain begins to work differently - its biochemical processes change, which leads to laziness. There are three main brain transmitters that are responsible for a person’s mood, energy and performance - dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. And when their work is disrupted, complete apathy sets in and there is a lack of energy to engage in any activity. In such cases, it is necessary to start treatment with special drugs on time, otherwise the person simply will not want to get out of bed in the morning and will completely lose interest in life. The consequences of severe depression can be very serious and negative for the patient - a constant feeling of fear and anxiety develops, eventually acquiring manic forms.
The course of severe depression in pregnant women deserves special attention. Since it often causes miscarriage. Therefore, at the slightest sign of depression, a woman needs to seek help from a specialist.
