Brain fog, memory, and mood - understood as part of your whole health
Cognitive concerns are rarely just about the brain. They often reflect what's happening in your heart, metabolism, hormones, and inflammation - which is why we look at all of it.
Brain health isn't separate from the rest of you. Cognitive symptoms like brain fog, memory changes, and mood shifts are often shaped by cardiovascular health, metabolism, hormones, sleep, and inflammation working together.
Through her functional medicine practice, Dr. Hwaida Hannoush evaluates appropriate brain health concerns by considering the factors that influence cognition - rather than treating the brain in isolation. What's good for your heart and metabolism is often good for your brain. Specific concerns, tests, and services are confirmed with you before anything is ordered.
A functional medicine evaluation, grounded in metabolic cardiology
Each concern is evaluated on its own terms - and, where relevant, considered alongside your cardiovascular and metabolic health. No single protocol fits everyone.
Start with the foundations
Cardiovascular and metabolic health profoundly affect the brain. We look at blood flow, blood sugar, and inflammatory factors that shape cognition before reaching for anything more complex.
Evaluate selectively
Where appropriate, we consider nutrient levels, hormonal influences, inflammatory markers, and sleep - selecting only what will genuinely inform your plan.
Plan for the long term
Brain health is built over time through consistent, individualized lifestyle and supportive strategies - coordinated with any existing neurological or psychiatric care.
Whom this serves
These concerns often bring people to a functional medicine evaluation. You don't need a formal diagnosis to start asking questions.
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating that interferes with daily life
- Memory changes or 'word-finding' lapses that concern you
- Mood shifts alongside hormonal transitions like perimenopause
- A family history of cognitive decline you want to get ahead of
- A sense that your brain health and physical health aren't being connected
What to expect
A clear, individualized process - never a one-size-fits-all protocol.
- 1A review of your history, symptoms, sleep, and lifestyle
- 2Consideration of cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory factors
- 3Targeted testing only when it informs your plan
- 4A personalized plan with follow-up and adjustments over time
Why these concerns may be considered together
Cardiovascular, metabolic, thyroid, inflammatory, and brain health can influence one another - but they don't share a single cause or a single treatment. We look at the connections that are relevant to you.
High Cholesterol & Heart Risk
What supports your cardiovascular system supports your brain - blood flow and vessel health are foundations of cognitive wellness.
Hormonal & Thyroid Health
Thyroid and hormonal shifts are common, treatable contributors to brain fog and mood changes.
Autoimmune & Inflammatory Health
Neuroinflammation is an active research area linking systemic inflammation to cognition and mood.
Frequently asked
Curious whether an evaluation of brain health is right for you?
Request an appointment and select "Brain health concerns" as your reason. We'll help you decide the right next step - no pressure, no unnecessary testing.