Written by Dr. Savannah Muncy, Pharm.D on
January 31, 2022
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Medically Reviewed by our Medical Affairs Team

Written by Dr. Savannah Muncy, Pharm.D on:

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Have you been recently diagnosed with lupus? Do you sometimes feel like you can’t think straight? Like your brain is in a fog? If so, you’re not alone. Brain fog is a common symptom of lupus.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what lupus brain fog is, the causes and symptoms, and how to treat it. We’ll also explore the correlation between lupus and brain fog.

So, if you’re looking for information on brain fog and lupus, you’ve come to the right place. Make sure to read on.

What exactly is lupus fog?

Brain fog is a term used to describe feelings of confusion, forgetfulness, and disorientation. It can be caused by many different things, including stress, anxiety, medication side effects, and lupus.

For lupus patients, brain fog can be especially troublesome because it often coincides with flares or their immune system is being heavily attacked.

In other words, when lupus is active and the central nervous system is not functioning well, brain fog is more likely to occur.

The causes of lupus fog are not fully understood, but it’s thought that the disease itself and its various symptoms may play a role.

For example, lupus can cause inflammation in the body, which may lead to mental problems or cognitive dysfunction like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Additionally, lupus can affect the brain directly, causing cognitive symptoms like memory loss and confusion.

The symptoms of lupus brain fog vary from person to person. However, some common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, poor memory recall, feeling overwhelmed or confused, and decreased productivity.

If you’re experiencing any of these lupus fog symptoms, it’s important to speak to your doctor.

Common Causes of Lupus Brain Fog

The causes of lupus mental fog are not completely understood, but there are several factors that may contribute. Some of the most common causes include:

  • aggravation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • medication side effects
  • stress and anxiety
  • inflammation
  • depression
  • infections
  • brain lesions

Now, remember that your brain fog could not be caused by lupus solely but other underlying conditions that need to be checked further, and simultaneously treated—this is why it’s important to consult your doctor.

The Correlation Between Lupus and Brain fog

While the causes of lupus fog are not fully understood, there is a strong correlation between lupus and cognitive dysfunction.

In other words, people with lupus are more likely to experience brain fog than those without lupus. 

There are several reasons for this. As we mentioned earlier, lupus can cause inflammation in the body, which may lead to cognitive dysfunction or other mental health problems.

Additionally, lupus can affect brain function directly, causing cognitive symptoms like memory loss and confusion.

Lupus also tends to occur alongside other conditions like anxiety and depression, which can also lead to cognitive dysfunction, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Finally, lupus is a complex disease with many different symptoms. This can often lead to confusion and disorientation. 

Brain Fog and Lupus: Common Symptoms

As we mentioned earlier, lupus fog can manifest in many different ways. However, some of the most common symptoms include:

  • difficulty concentrating
  • poor memory recall
  • feeling overwhelmed or confused
  • decreased productivity
  • mood issues
  • personality disorders
  • fatigue

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to speak to your doctor. 

How is lupus fog diagnosed?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, your doctor will likely perform a variety of tests in order to determine if you’re experiencing lupus fog or your mental fog could be caused by other underlying conditions.

Some of the tests that may be performed include:

  • blood work
  • urinalysis
  • MRI or CT scan
  • lupus panel
  • cognitive function tests
  • psychiatric evaluation 

Remember that the tests that are performed will vary depending on your individual case. 

Common Remedies for Lupus Fog

Remedies for lupus fog vary from person to person. However, some of the most common remedies include:

  • adjusting medication doses
  • changing medications
  • eliminating caffeine
  • getting more sleep
  • taking breaks during the day
  • joining a support group
  • seeing a therapist 
  • eating a healthy diet
  • exercising regularly
  • stress-relieving activities
  • taking time to read
  • playing fun games
  • creating visual clues
  • using a daily planner

These are just some of the remedies that may be effective for lupus fog. Speak to your doctor to find out what will work best for you.

When to See a Doctor

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of lupus fog, it’s important to see a doctor.

These symptoms can be caused by many different conditions, and it’s important to get a diagnosis so that you can receive the appropriate treatment.

If you’re not sure whether or not you should see a doctor, we highly recommend that you still speak to a lupus specialist or your family doctor. They can help you decide if it’s necessary and what steps you should take.

What are the risks for developing lupus fog?

The answer to this question depends on the individual. However, some of the risks for developing lupus fog include:

  • taking certain medications
  • being under a lot of stress
  • experiencing anxiety or depression 
  • having another illness or condition

These are just some of the risk factors that may increase your chances of experiencing lupus fog.

As we mentioned earlier, lupus fog can be caused by many different factors. So, the risks for developing lupus fog will vary depending on your unique case.

What is the outlook for people with lupus fog?

The answer to this question also depends on the individual. However, lupus fog can be a very debilitating condition. It can cause a lot of stress and frustration and make it difficult to live a normal life.

However, with proper treatment, many lupus patients are able to manage their lupus fog and lead happy and productive lives.

What research is being conducted for lupus fog?

There is a lot of research and clinical trials being conducted on lupus fog. This is an important topic, as lupus fog can be a very debilitating condition.

Some of the areas that researchers are focusing on include:

  • the correlation between lupus and cognitive impairment
  • underlying causes of lupus brain fog
  • treating lupus fog
  • improving quality of daily life for people with lupus fog

If you’re interested in learning more about lupus fog, we highly recommend that you read the latest research on this topic. You can find many of these studies online.

Living with Lupus Fog

For many people, lupus fog is just one more thing to deal with. It can be frustrating and overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

There are a lot of resources available for people who are living with lupus fog.

Some of these resources include:

  • support groups
  • mental health professionals
  • websites and blogs that focus on helping you understand lupus fog better
  • books about lupus fog

These are just a few of the resources that are available. Speak to your doctor or lupus specialist for more information.

Impact of Lupus Fog on Quality of Life

Lupus brain fog can have a significant impact on quality of life. It can cause frustration, stress, and anxiety. It can also make it difficult to do everyday tasks.

Quality of daily life is an important issue for people with lupus. Researchers are currently studying how lupus fog affects the quality of life and ways to improve it.

If you’re experiencing lupus fog, it’s important to speak to your doctor. They can help you find ways to improve your quality of life.

Getting Expert Help for Lupus Fog

If you’re finding it difficult to cope with lupus fog, we highly recommend that you seek professional help.

Your medical doctor and a mental health professional can provide you with the support and guidance that you need to manage lupus fog.

They can also help you find other resources, such as support groups or websites, that will be helpful for you. 

Living with lupus fog can be difficult, but you don’t have to face it alone. There are a lot of resources available to help you manage your condition.

Concluding Thoughts

We hope this article has been helpful. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor or lupus specialist.

Remember, lupus fog can be a very debilitating condition, but with proper treatment, many people are able to manage it and lead happy and productive lives.

If you want to learn more about lupus and brain fog or just want to get more information on how to take care of your brain health, check out these free educational resources and feel free to join this online community of brain health professionals and advocates.

Join The Mental Health Community You've Been Dreaming Of


This discord family is a safe place where we can all (anonymously if we choose) talk about and seek help for what is going on in our heads.

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