“How are your focus and concentration? Do you need help to stay engaged while reading, writing your columns, or watching movies?”
These were the questions my psychiatrist posed to me during our recent telehealth session. Surprisingly, she linked my attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to long-term COVID-19. But she reminded me that people with chronic conditions like pulmonary hypertension (PH), which I have, often experience difficulties with concentration.
Managing chronic pain and fatigue, as I’m doing, further complicates matters. With these challenges, I’ve had to take steps to maintain my focus and productivity. My doctor and I discussed improving my diet, setting achievable goals, exercising regularly (even if it’s a short walk with my oxygen), and taking regular breaks throughout the day. She also suggested I use online programs, tools, and apps, such as Calm, to help my physical and mental well-being.
I’ve already been using online resources, including Google documents, to keep track of medications and develop organizational tools to keep me on task during the day. As someone living with PH, I’m encouraged by how technology, primarily MyChart, has helped me stay connected with my healthcare team and manage my condition better.
All of this is part of my efforts to alleviate my brain fog and cognitive decline.
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August 18, 2023 Columns by Karen Schultz The management of pulmonary hypertension is a long road
The effects of adjusting medications
My current treatments have worked relatively well amid these ongoing battles with memory loss and concentration. However, my psychiatrist adjusted my Cymbalta (duloxetine) prescription after a year on the same dosage.
Managing our physical and mental health can be an intricate dance. Sometimes they may seem at odds, with side effects piling up and every adjustment becoming an adventure. And it doesn’t end there. When physical storms brew, anxiety can join the party, fueling the fire. We must never neglect our psychological or physical well-being — they’re equally important.
Who’s ready to slow down?
Of course, this vigilance can be draining and frustrating, particularly during seasons when I have numerous appointments to juggle. I’ve recently been in such a season, and I long for a respite.
Have you experienced similar seasons recently? Our rest becomes compromised when we’re stressed about upcoming medical appointments or other life events. Not only does this affect our physical well-being, but it also takes a toll on our mental health.
Could it be another manifestation of PH?
Recently, I stumbled upon the intriguing article “Cognitive deficits seen in PAH may be due to blood vessel remodeling,” on Pulmonary Hypertension News. It discusses cognitive impairments observed in about a quarter of the PH patients in a small study. This information has set my mind spinning like a hamster on a wheel.
Doesn’t that just make sense? PH is a chronic and progressive disease linked to high blood pressure in our precious vessels. This study suggests that changes in the blood vessels of our lungs and brain might be behind the cognitive troubles that we patients face. I’ve always connected my memory lapses and brain haze to lower oxygen levels.
Let’s venture deeper into these extraordinary connections together, shall we? As we dive deeper into the complexities of PH, we’ll gain invaluable insights that’ll serve us well in the long run. The more we discover, the stronger we’ll become. Reading informative articles to better understand a wide range of PH symptoms can help us regain some control of our lives.
This study, albeit small, poses some thought-provoking questions regarding the impact of PH on our cognitive abilities. For instance, could those structural lung vessel changes contribute to cerebrovascular changes that cause our mental struggles, like brain fog? We eagerly await further research to shed light on these mysteries. With more studies, we’ll better understand how PH affects our cognition and be able to take steps to better manage it.
Do you struggle with brain fog or cognitive decline? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Note: Pulmonary Hypertension News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Hypertension News or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary hypertension.
The post Could my brain fog and cognitive decline be linked to my PH? appeared first on Pulmonary Hypertension News.
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