Can osteoarthritis cause brain fog?

Inflammation can wreak havoc on your body and mind, and while we think of arthritis mostly affecting our joints, inflammatory types of arthritis can actually have many other symptoms. Many patients like us living with arthritis and other chronic illnesses often talk about experiencing brain fog.


Can osteoarthritis affect your brain?

“The anatomy of the brain in osteoarthritis patients is changing profusely, and it is changing at a rate that we can, in fact, identify,” said Dr. Apkarian. “The brain as a whole network is reorganizing simply by living with pain.”

Does arthritis cause brain fog?

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) report having trouble thinking clearly, problems with memory, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms, known as brain fog, can occur in people with chronic inflammatory conditions, including RA, Sjogren's syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.


Can osteoarthritis cause memory loss?

Results: After adjustment for demographic, lifestyle, health-related, and other factors, participants with OA were almost three times as likely to report frequent memory loss (adjusted odds ratios [ORs] for short- and long-term memory loss, respectively = 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.2-3.3, and 2.6, 95% CI = ...

What medical conditions can cause brain fog?

Brain fog is a symptom that can be caused by stress, sleep changes, medications, and other factors.
...
Other conditions that may cause brain fog include:
  • anemia.
  • depression.
  • diabetes.
  • Sjögren syndrome.
  • migraine.
  • Alzheimer's disease.
  • hypothyroidism.
  • autoimmune diseases, like lupus, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.


Dr Ali Mazaheri - What is brain fog and why do we get it?



What are 6 possible causes of brain fog?

6 common causes for brain fog
  • An inflammatory response. While we mostly relate inflammation to joints, did you know your brain can become inflamed too? ...
  • Asthma and allergies. ...
  • Anxiety, depression and stress. ...
  • Cancer treatments. ...
  • Hormonal changes. ...
  • Sleep.


Why have I suddenly got brain fog?

You may get similar symptoms after other infections, a minor head injury or during the menopause. Brain fog is also common if you have depression, anxiety or stress. While recovering from coronavirus (COVID-19), some people experience brain fog. Symptoms may vary and change over time.

What is the most common symptoms associated with osteoarthritis?

Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
  • Pain. Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.
  • Stiffness. Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.
  • Tenderness. ...
  • Loss of flexibility. ...
  • Grating sensation. ...
  • Bone spurs. ...
  • Swelling.


What are the most common complication of osteoarthritis?

Possible complications of osteoarthritis include: Rapid, complete breakdown of cartilage resulting in loose tissue material in the joint (chondrolysis). Bone death (osteonecrosis). Stress fractures (hairline crack in the bone that develops gradually in response to repeated injury or stress).

What triggers osteoarthritis flare ups?

The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain.

What lack of vitamin causes brain fog?

A deficiency in several nutrients could potentially contribute to brain fog, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Low levels of magnesium, vitamin C, and choline may also cause brain fog, but more research is needed.


What inflammation causes brain fog?

Brain “fog” may be due to inflammatory molecules, including adipocytokines and histamine released from mast cells (MCs) further stimulating microglia activation, and causing focal brain inflammation.

Does arthritis drain your energy?

Many people with arthritis say fatigue is one of their biggest challenges. Fatigue can be linked to many types of arthritis and related conditions. It's commonly a symptom of autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis and lupus.

What are the psychological effects of osteoarthritis?

Even when compared to people with a similar burden of health conditions, people suffering from moderate to severe pain associated with osteoarthritis are more likely to have anxiety or depression, as well as other conditions such as cardiovascular disease.


Can osteoarthritis lead to dementia?

OA was associated with a significantly increased risk for dementia (OR = 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–1.39, I2 = 95.6%, P < . 05). After pooling the studies with adjustment of age and gender, the risk increased (OR 1.36; 95% CI, 1.22–1.51, I2 = 75.6%, P < . 0001).

What are the symptoms of an osteoarthritis flare up?

Symptoms of an OA flare-up
  • increased joint pain.
  • swelling of the affected area.
  • reduced range of motion at the location of the joint.
  • fatigue from increased pain.


What should you not do with osteoarthritis?

5 Foods to Avoid
  • Red meat and fried foods. Fried foods and red meat contain high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are known for stimulating inflammation. ...
  • Sugars. ...
  • Dairy. ...
  • Refined carbohydrates. ...
  • Alcohol and tobacco.


What do people with osteoarthritis struggle with?

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and sometimes stiffness in the affected joints. The pain tends to be worse when you move the joint or at the end of the day. Your joints may feel stiff after rest, but this usually wears off fairly quickly once you get moving.

What are the red flags of osteoarthritis?

Patients may report obvious symptoms of OA such as pain and stiffness in certain joints, but more nuanced symptoms indicative of the condition may arise during a comprehensive history and physical (functional changes, sleep disturbances, history of joint injury, comorbidities).

Can osteoarthritis make you feel generally unwell?

It causes inflammation and may make people feel sick, tired and sometimes feverish, among other symptoms. Some younger people get osteoarthritis from a joint injury, but osteoarthritis most often occurs in people over 40.


How do you feel when you have osteoarthritis?

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in your joints, which can make it difficult to move the affected joints and do certain activities. The symptoms may come and go in episodes, which can be related to your activity levels and even the weather. In more severe cases, the symptoms can be continuous.

Can osteoarthritis affect your eyes?

The same inflammation that affects your joints can also affect your eyes. Here's how to protect your vision. While most people think of arthritis as inflammation of the joints, research shows that inflammation can cause damage other parts of the body including the eyes.

When should I worry about brain fog?

Occasional brain fog is normal, especially when a person can identify a clear cause, such as being tired, having a cold, or family stress. However, people should see a doctor if: Brain fog regularly interferes with a person's ability to complete daily tasks. A person has problems with daily functioning.


How do you fix constant brain fog?

Brain fog is a common symptom of: chronic stress. hormonal changes.
...
Here are a few activities to try:
  1. Walking. Even 10 minutes may boost mood, per 2018 research .
  2. Yoga. ...
  3. High intensity exercise. ...
  4. Stretching. ...
  5. Gardening.


Is brain fog normal everyday?

Brain fog can be a symptom of a nutrient deficiency, sleep disorder, bacterial overgrowth from overconsumption of sugar, depression, or even a thyroid condition. Other common brain fog causes include eating too much and too often, inactivity, not getting enough sleep, chronic stress, and a poor diet.