Post-concussion: still having mental fog at night — improving but need advice - #22501

Hello James Hi! It’s actually pretty common to have lingering symptoms like mental fog or “brain fog” for weeks or even months after a concussion—this is called post-concussion syndrome. The fact that you’re mostly okay during the day and only notice fogginess at night is a good sign that your brain is healing, but it’s just taking its time.

Is this normal?
Yes, it’s normal for some symptoms (like brain fog, trouble focusing, or feeling mentally slow) to come and go, especially when you’re tired, stressed, or at the end of the day. Your brain is still recovering, and these symptoms usually improve gradually over time.

What can you do to speed up recovery? - Prioritize sleep: Good, regular sleep is the best “medicine” for your brain. - Stay hydrated and eat well: Dehydration and low blood sugar can make brain fog worse. - Limit screens at night: Blue light can make it harder for your brain to wind down. - Pace yourself: Don’t push through mental fatigue—take breaks, especially in the evening. - Gentle exercise: Light aerobic activity (like walking or cycling) can help brain recovery, but avoid anything that risks another head injury. - Mindfulness/relaxation: Deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga can help your brain relax and recover.

Self-massage or exercises:
There’s no specific self-massage proven to speed up brain recovery, but gentle neck and shoulder massage can help if you have tension headaches or neck stiffness. Try slow, circular motions with your fingertips on your temples, forehead, and the base of your skull.
Simple exercises like deep breathing, gentle stretching, and progressive muscle relaxation can also help reduce stress and improve focus.

When to see a doctor:
If you develop new symptoms (like severe headache, vomiting, confusion, weakness, or vision changes), or if your brain fog gets worse instead of better, see a doctor.

Here are some simple relaxation and focus exercises you can try to help with mental clarity and reduce brain fog: 1. Deep Breathing Exercise - How to do it: - Sit or lie down comfortably. - Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose for a count of 4. - Hold your breath for a count of 4. - Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 6. - Repeat this for 5–10 minutes.

2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation - How to do it: - Find a quiet place to sit or lie down. - Start with your toes: tense the muscles for 5 seconds, then relax them. - Move up to your calves, thighs, abdomen, arms, and face, tensing and relaxing each muscle group. - Focus on the difference between tension and relaxation.

3. Mindfulness Meditation - How to do it: - Sit comfortably with your back straight. - Close your eyes and focus on your breath. - If your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breath. - Start with 5 minutes and gradually increase to 10–15 minutes.

4. Gentle Neck and Shoulder Stretch - How to do it: - Sit or stand up straight. - Slowly tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear toward your shoulder. - Hold for 15–30 seconds, feeling the stretch in your neck. - Repeat on the other side. - You can also roll your shoulders forward and backward to release tension.

5. Focus Exercise: 5-4-3-2-1 Technique - How to do it: - Sit comfortably and take a deep breath. - Look around and identify: - 5 things you can see - 4 things you can touch - 3 things you can hear - 2 things you can smell - 1 thing you can taste - This helps ground you in the present moment and can improve focus.

Try incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, especially in the evening when you notice the brain fog. They can help relax your mind and improve clarity.

Thank you and get well soon

what you’re experiencing can be normal after a concussion, especially several months later. Many people recover well during the day but still notice mental fog or slowed thinking at night. This does not mean you are losing brain cells or that your brain is being damaged.

Hello dear See as per clinical history it seems a lot of improvement from starting of lesion. I am suggesting some tests and precautions. Please get them done for improvement and further clarity Ct scan Regards Emr Serum bradykinin Serum ck mb Esr CBC Brain USG if recommended by neurologist In addition Do meditation Do some physical exercise atleast half an hour daily Stop overthinking Avoid excessive strain Take good balanced diet Hopefully improvement will occur Regards

Hello

Yes — this is common and usually normal during concussion recovery.

Night-time mental fog often lingers because the brain fatigues as the day goes on, even when daytime feels okay.

🛑Why

Post-concussion brains tire faster Cognitive overload during the day shows up at night Poor sleep quality after concussion Anxiety about symptoms can amplify the fog

🛑What helps recovery Strict sleep routine (same time daily) Limit screens after sunset Take short cognitive breaks during the day Light aerobic exercise (walking, cycling) — stop before symptoms spike Stay hydrated; eat regularly

🛑Simple self-help exercises Neck and upper-back gentle stretches (5–10 min) Diaphragmatic breathing (slow deep breathing) Light eye-tracking exercises (left–right, up–down, slow)

🛑Self-massage (gentle) Temple circles with fingertips Base of skull (sub-occipital) pressure Shoulder and neck muscle massage

🛑When to get checked again If fog is worsening New headaches, dizziness, vision problems Memory problems interfering with daily life

Night-time mental fog months after concussion is not a sign of brain damage.

It usually improves gradually with rest, pacing, sleep, and light activity.

I trust this helps Thank you