--- title: Fibromyalgia Brain Fog Can Be Due To Gut Inflammation description: One of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia is brain fog. Find out the most common cause and what to do about it. image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Hippocampus.png --- [![Dr Karl Johnson Logo Header](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/hs-fs/file-1517915219-png/images/logo.png "Dr Karl Johnson Logo Header")](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com) [![contact-img](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/hs-fs/file-1517915214-png/images/contact-img.png)](http://helpmychronicpain.com/) ## Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson's Chronic Condition Natural Treatment Blog *Intentional musings of a unique Shelby Township Michigan Chiropractic Physician dedicated to helping people find solutions to improving their health by rooting out causes to chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, stubborn thyroid disorder symptoms, balance disorders, chronic knee & shoulder pain, migraines, sciatica, ADD/ADHD/ASD, back pain, peripheral neuropathy, gluten sensitivity and autoimmune disorders so they can Reclaim Their Life!* # From the Desk of Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC..... ## [Fibromyalgia Brain Fog Can Be Due To Gut Inflammation](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/bid/103132/Fibromyalgia-Brain-Fog-Can-Be-Due-To-Gut-Inflammation) Posted by [Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/author/dr-karl-ros-johnson-dc) on Sun, Mar 11, 2012 Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/ShelbyChronicConditionDoctor) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dr-karl-r-o-s-johnson-dc/26/676/422) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/WellnessChiroMI) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### One of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia is brain fog. Many of my patients describe brain fog as confusion, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating. They often tell me they just don't not feel right, or they feel a bit spacey. Jokingly at times, I hear my patients say they are having a “senior moment” when they are having trouble remembering certain things.  Thye might be talking to a friend at lunch, for example, and in the middle of a sentence such as “please pass the ….” and then forget either the name of what it is they want. Getting the words to flow smoothly, just isn't working. Levity aside, brain fog is NO JOKE! [![Hippocampus](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Hippocampus.png)](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AHippocampus.png)The truth of the matter is thier brain is inflammed and degenerating. As I pointed out in [my last article](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/bid/102811/Emotions-Adrenal-Function-Leaky-Gut-Syndrome-And-Autoimmune-Disease) the adrenal, gut, brain and immune system are all involved together. The brain inflammation shows up on MRI as a shrinking brain. When the hippocampus and frontal lobe are involved, alzheimers disease often develops.[1] The mechanism is gut inflammation, often from gluten and other intolerances, lead to the productiion of damaging immune system chemicals called cytokines, which in turn lead to increased production of a hormone the adrenal glands make, called cortisol. Cortisol causes damage to the hippocampus of the brain.[2] Some of the other symptoms of brain fog include [3]: 1) Horrible short term memory 2) Difficulty with word finding and word substitution 3) Disorientation lasting 30-60 seconds ( You might be driving somewhere and you forget where you are and where you are going) 4) Loss of mental acuity 5) Forgetfulness 6) In ability to think clearly 7) A feeling that you’re in a fog or a dark cloud is over your head 8) Decreased attention span 9) Mild depression or anxiety 10) Lack of spatial awareness 11) Difficulty concentrating 12) Lack of focus 13) Confusion 14) Spaciness or Absentmindedness 15) Trouble learning new tasks 16) Trouble solving problems 17) Decrease in creativity 18) Decreased mental stamina Ultimately, if you have fibromyalgia, and want to find out the cause or causes of your condition, [proper testing needs to be done](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/bid/52946/New-Testing-Reveals-Factors-Causing-Autoimmune-Thyroid-and-More). So far every case of fibromyalgia I have seen in my office had, as part of the cause, gluten intolerance. Accurate, state-of-the-art testing is the only way to determine if this is the case. The standard testing too often gives a false negative test. When your body and brain are at stake, time is of the essence and proper testing is paramount. As far as I am concerned, the only lab that can do the job right is [Cyrex Labs.](http://www.cyrexlabs.com/)   If you would like me to help you unravel the mysteries of your fibromyalgia symptoms and help you get your body and brain working better, give me a call for your [fibromyalgia case review](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/Default.aspx?app=LeadgenDownload&shortpath=docs%2f2011_fibro+patient+paperwork_(light+green)_bw.pdf). learn what my [Johnson Neruro-Metabolic Therapy](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/fibromyalgia-breakthrough-treatment/) can do to help you tacle your fibromyalgia, brain fog so you can get your life back! [![Click me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/67234/a90d04d8-3a99-4be5-bf6b-dc79d807b75c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/67234/a90d04d8-3a99-4be5-bf6b-dc79d807b75c) [![Fire in Gut-Fire in Brain](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/hs-fs/file-15200232-png/images/gutfire-brainfire.png?width=426&height=330&name=gutfire-brainfire.png)](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/fibromyalgia-breakthrough-treatment/) If you found value in this article, please use the social sharing icons at the top of this post and please share with those you know who are still suffering with chronic condition symptoms despite having medical managment. Thank you, help me reach more people so they may regain their zest for living! ## All the best – [Dr. Johnson](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/about-me/) – Digging Deeper To Find Solutions 1. [http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223%2805%2900768-7/abstract](http://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223%2805%2900768-7/abstract) 2. [http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v1/n1/full/nn0598_69.html](http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v1/n1/full/nn0598_69.html) 3. [http://www.myadrenalfatigue.com/brain-fog](http://www.myadrenalfatigue.com/brain-fog) Topics: [Cyrex Labs](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/cyrex-labs), [fibromyalgia](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/fibromyalgia), [gluten intolerance](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/gluten-intolerance), [Johnson Neuro-Metabolic Therapy](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/johnson-neuro-metabolic-therapy), [brain fog](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/brain-fog), [adrenal gland](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/adrenal-gland) ### STAY INFORMED - Sign Up For Dr. Johnson's Blog Updates Search This Blog Search Google [![I Could Use Some Help With My Health](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/67234/18beb174-b53e-4a4d-8018-f3bb7049a9e7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/67234/18beb174-b53e-4a4d-8018-f3bb7049a9e7) ### Call Dr. Johnson #### 586-731-8840 ### Follow Me ### Latests Posts ### Most Popular Posts [![Reclaim Your Life Book 3D Reflect](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/67234/9f6ed339-86f2-4e81-afff-effda60643ed.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/67234/9f6ed339-86f2-4e81-afff-effda60643ed) [Powered by Eventbrite](http://www.eventbrite.com/) - [Home](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/) - [About Dr. Karl R.O.S. 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Conventional chiropractic and neurometabolic services are completely separate services and each is provided in strict compliance with the rules and regulations set forth by the separate agencies. If you wish to receive natural health services you must first sign a Client Services Agreement.