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Chemo Brain Fog: Blame it on the Gut Bugs?
Earlier this week, I met a lovely young woman who had recently completed chemotherapy for breast cancer.
She complained of treatment-related cognitive impairment — chemo fog — with some memory and thinking problems.
As a radiation oncologist, I often hear cancer survivors use the term “chemo brain” to describe the frustrating cognitive difficulties they experience during and after treatment.
I sometimes hear such complaints after radiation therapy or pills (endocrine therapy) that block estrogen.
While “chemo brain” is a widely recognized term, the exact causes of these cognitive problems remain elusive.
Now comes a possible explanation for chemotherapy-induced brain fog: the gut microbiome.
Let’s briefly examine chemobrain symptoms, risk factors, and new evidence pointing to the gut.
I’ll end with some tips about how you can optimize your microbiome.
Chemo Brain Symptoms
The manifestations of chemo brain can be diverse and often subtle, affecting various aspects of cognitive function.
Individuals may experience a heightened sense of disorganization, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.
Finding the right word can become challenging, as can learning new skills or multitasking effectively.
Many describe a pervasive feeling of mental fogginess, coupled with a shortened attention span and difficulties with short-term memory.
Completing routine tasks may take longer than usual, and problems with verbal and visual memory can further complicate daily life.
Chemo Brain Fog: Blame it on the Gut Bugs?
Researchers investigated the potential link between gut microbiome and cognitive function.
