Clouding of consciousness: Difference between revisions
"mental fog" but not "brain fog" is defined in conventional and reputable medical dictionaries. |
m moved Cognitive dysfunction to Clouding of Consciousness: In the Articles For Deletion Discussion on the talk page, username "Colin" said "Let's stick to medical terms that appear in medical dictionaries, rather than neologisms." The term "ment... |
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Revision as of 03:22, 22 January 2012
Clouding of consciousness, also known as mental fog[1] [2], is a very mild abnormal state of consciousness [3] in which the patient or sufferer has inattention, difficulty concentrating, difficulty thinking clearly, disorientation, and memory impairment. The sufferer or patient may describe their experience as like being in a "dreamy state" or feeling "out of it". [4]
Cognitive dysfunction (or brain fog) is defined as unusually poor mental function, associated with confusion, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.[5][6] A number of medical or psychiatric conditions and treatments can cause such symptoms, including heavy metal poisoning (in particular mercury poisoning),[7] menopause,[6] chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, mood disorders, ADHD (primarily inattentive), drug abuse, and sleep disorders (including disrupted sleep).[6] The term brain fog is not commonly used to describe people with dementia or other conditions that are known to cause confusion and memory problems,[citation needed] but it can be used as a synonym for sleep inertia or grogginess upon being awakened from deep sleep.
Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction
Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD) refers to cognitive problems (with memory, learning and the ability to concentrate) following surgery. There has been very limited research into POCD, but existing reports suggest that the incidence of POCD increases with age, it can last for long periods of time, with 2–3 months considered long-term.[citation needed]
POCD has been studied through various institutions since the inception of the IPOCDS-I study centred in Eindhoven, Netherlands and Copenhagen, Denmark. This study found no causal relationship between hypoxia and low blood pressure and POCD. Age, duration of anaesthesia, introperative complications, and postoperative infections were found to be associated with POCD.[citation needed]
POCD to be differentiated from postoperative delirium has a longer duration and no lability or fluctuations in impaired cognitive functioning. Some patients who demonstrated POCD at 10–14 days were found to have improved scores at 3 months, while others continued to demonstrate POCD at periods longer than 1 year. This suggests that in certain at risk patients, POCD may be a permanent alteration of cognitive functioning.[citation needed]
Treatments
Treatment generally involves correcting any underlying medical conditions. For example, if the patient is found to be suffering a form of hypothyroidism, the mental declining effects associated with hypothyroidism can be corrected with thyroid hormone replacement therapy, although many times patients continue to endure confusion and a sense of dementia.[citation needed] Additionally, occupational therapy may be helpful for some people. Neurofeedback can improve symptoms for some people.[8][9][10]
In Fibromyalgia patients, cause for cognitive dysfunction (sometimes referred to as "fibro fog") is often related to the inability to fall into a restorative REM sleep, thus, treatment may include a prescription sleep aid or medication normally prescribed for shift work disorder.[11]
See also
- ADHD predominantly inattentive
- Cognitive orthotics
- Depersonalization disorder
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Four boxes test
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Insomnia
- Lyme disease
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder
- Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment
- Pumphead syndrome
- Sluggish cognitive tempo
References
- ^ "Taber's Medical Dictionary".
- ^ Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. Elsevier Health Sciences. 1994. p. 343.
- ^ Tindall SC (1990). "Level of consciousness". In Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW (ed.). Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. Butterworth Publishers. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ Barbara Schildkrout (2011). [books.google.com Unmasking Psychological Symptoms]. John Wiley & Sons. p. 183.
{{cite book}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Treating Cognitive Dysfunction ("Brain Fog") in CFS & Fibromyalgia".
- ^ a b c Saether, Linda (18 April 2008). "A journey of brain fogs and hot flashes". Atlanta, Georgia: CNN. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|curly=ignored (help) - ^ Frackelton JP, Christensen, RL (1998). "Mercury Poisoning and Its Potential Impact on Hormone Regulation and Aging: Preliminary Clinical Observations Using a New Therapeutic Approach". Journal of Advancement in Medicine. 11 (1): 9–25. doi:10.1023/A:1023373303542.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Thatcher RW (2000). "EEG operant conditioning (biofeedback) and traumatic brain injury". Clin Electroencephalogr. 31 (1): 38–44. PMID 10638351.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Thornton K (2000). "Improvement/rehabilitation of memory functioning with neurotherapy/QEEG biofeedback". J Head Trauma Rehabil. 15 (6): 1285–96. PMID 11056409.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ http://www.isnr.org/uploads/(1-1)4.pdf
- ^ "Fibromyalgia and Sleep".
External links
- Study of POCD
- Goteborg
- amsterdam
- blackwell-synergy.com
- [1] An Update on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction