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HEALTH MINISTRY
Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Brain Fog
Research shows that neither aging nor senility is typically to blame for clouded thinking.
Forgetfulness, attention lapses and other complaints about mental sharpness are more closely
related to mood and general mental health. It could stem from an underlying medical
condition or a drug’s side effects, but most often it’s a disturbance in sleep or mood, or simply
the harried, stressful nature of modern life. If you’ve been feeling off your game, here are six
steps you can take to restore mental clarity.
1. Step one should be a medical checkup: high blood pressure; chronic pain; chemical,
hormonal (e.g. menopause), metabolic imbalances (which can be found with lab tests) may be
the cause.
2. Review your medications: The list of drugs which MAY dull one’s senses include opiate-
based pain relievers, older antihistamines and certain antibiotics. 20% of cognitive impairment
in older people is attributable to anticholinergics, which are used to treat asthma, stomach
ulcers, urinary incontinence and other conditions. If you suspect that a medication is affecting
your thinking, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR about reducing the dose or substituting another
drug. The list below can cause confusion especially in people who are older, weigh less than
average or have kidney or liver problems.
ANTIARRHYTHMICS:
ANTIBIOTICS,ANTIVIRALS: ANTIHISTAMINES:
digoxin (Lanoxin),
acyclovir (Zovirax),
chlorpheniramine (ChlorTrimeton),
disopyramide (Norpace)
ciprofloxacin(Cipro),
demenhydrinate (Dramamine),
ganciclovir (Cytovene),
dephenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy)
metronidazole (Flagyl)
ANTIHYPERTENSIVES:
CORTICOSTEROIDS:
COUGH & CONGESTION:
Clonidine (Catapres)
methylprednisolone (Medrol,
dextromethorphan
beta blockers such as
Meprolone)
(Robitussin Cough Gels),
atenolol (Tenormin),
prednisone (Deltasone,Orasone) pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
metoprolol (Lopressor),
propranolol (Inderol)
GASTROINTESTINAL:
INCONTINENCE:
MIGRAINE:
cimetidine (Tagamet),
oxybutynin (Ditropan),
naratriptan (Amerge),
diphenoxylate (combined
solifenacin (VESIcare),
rizatriptan (Maxalt)
with atropine in Lofene,
tolterodine (Detrol)
Lomotil),
dicyclomine (Bentyl),
glycopyrrololate (Robinul),
hyoscyamine (Anaspaz,
Cystospaz),
scopolamine (Scopace)

MUSCLE RELAXANTS;
PAINKILLERS;
PARKINSON’S:
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Codeine (generic)
amantadine (Symmetrel),
Orphenadrine (Antiflex)
Meperidine (Demerol),
levodopa (Sinemet),
Pentazocine (Talwin),
selegiline (Eldepryl)
Propoxyphene (Darvon)
TRICYCLIC
eszopiclone (Lunesta),
ANTIDEPRESSANTS;
zaleplon (Sonata),
amitriptyline (Elavil),
zolpidem (Ambien CR)
imipramine (Tofranil),
nortriptyline (Pamlor)

3. Reboot your brain: Your body responds to stress by releasing a cascade of hormones that
put all body systems on full alert. In the short term, that provides a surge of energy,
heightened awareness and sharp focus so you can meet deadlines. But in protracted or very
stressful situations, too many nerve cells fire at once. That’s when you freeze. A whole lot of
small hassles can have the same effect as a major stressor. So…do one thing at a time: avoid
multi-tasking. Give your body a break: sleep, ask for support, use your vacation time.
4. Improve your sleep: Go to bed and wake at the same time each day. Avoid alcohol,
caffeine, heavy exercise before bedtime.
5. Exercise: Physical activity improves brain function in the same regions adversely affected
by stress and lack of sleep. Schedule an appointment with yourself to regularly exercise and
make this a very high priority. No one else can keep you healthy!
6. Call someone: Interacting with other people and socializing is associated with a reduced
risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Submitted by Barb Emigh, RN
Taken from: Clearing Away Brain Fog. Consumer Reports on Health. March, 2008. Volume 20, #3.

Source: http://www.stthomas-berea.org/images/wayfarer/wayfarercorrection_052008.pdf