Problems with memory and concentration can happen to anyone, causing problems with studying, work and all activities of daily living.
Not being able to rely on your brain to do its job can be a major source of anxiety and create a huge loss of confidence in patients in their 20’s as well as in their 80’s.
This happened to me – Dr Sarah, in my early 30’s, trying to return to work after my first maternity leave to work as a GP. A combination of nutrient depletion, sleep deprivation and onset of undiagnosed thyroid problems created a terrifying problem with ‘brain-fog’.
A patient even complained that I clearly wasn’t up to the job, as I struggled to prescribe simple medication – but could only remember the first letter on the drug I needed (something I had prescribed regularly for many years before taking time off with my baby).
Fortunately for me, changes to my diet, thyroid hormone support, and a reduction in my toxic load helped to completely reverse these issues, and my brain works better now than it did nearly 15 years ago.
I’m grateful to have the knowledge of how to help keep myself well, but so many people I meet in clinic have had to struggle for years with poor cognition, often never knowing where the problem came from and unable to do anything except watch it get worse.
The Functional Medicine approach can help us to dig deep under the surface memory and brain-processing problems and find the clues we need to identify the root causes and help to fix them.
What Causes Brain Fog and Memory Problems?
Problems we often see underlying ‘brain-fog’ and poor memory include:
- Vitamin Deficiencies, including B12 and folate
- Hormonal imbalances, including hypothyroidism and loss of sex hormones
- Exposure to toxins causing loss of vital energy production in the brain
- Side effects of commonly prescribed medications
Once identified, these problems can be treated and patients are able to return to their lives again.
Unfortunately, memory loss and cognitive decline are often treated as an inevitable part of aging, and early signs of problems in older adults are often ignored, without any real investigation or thought about what the cause might be, or whether something can be done about it.
At Functional Nexus, we know that cognitive decline is not inevitable, and is not a normal part of aging. We investigate and treat our older patients with the same approach we have to those in their 20’s and 30’s experiencing cognitive issues.
Our Psychiatrist-led Functional Medicine clinic for Cognitive Decline specialises in helping families and individuals affected by cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia and any form of neurological decline in patients of any age.
Our approach is informed by the work of Dr Dale Bredesen and our clinical lead Dr Rosie has trained with Dr Bredesen’s team on his famous RECODE protocol for reversal of cognitive decline as well as the PRECODE plan for dementia prevention.
To learn more about how Functional Medicine can help with memory and cognitive problems, BOOK an appointment with our patient care team to discuss what we can offer.
You can also read more details in my new article here.