Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Monkeypox Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Pseudoephedrine and Improved Thinking
Content

Ask An Expert

Pseudoephedrine and Improved Thinking

Catherine A. Madison

Catherine A. Madison, M.D.

California Pacific Medical Center

Question:

This past two years my brain seemed very foggy and I've had a lot of memory problems. Yet when I take pseudoephedrine for a sinus headache, it not only clears my sinuses, it causes me to be able to think very clearly and I have improved memory. Why?

Answer:

Good question. Pseudoephedrine belongs to a group of medicines that act as decongestants by constricting small blood vessels in the nasal passages. Thus, less inflammation and congestion as the sinus tissue settles down a bit. It may improve thinking by improving breathing and sleep. Sinus problems are associated with sleep disorders, particularly obstructive sleep apnea. When using pseudoephedrine you may be sleeping more soundly at night and that is directly associated with improved thinking and memory.

There are many others, though, who find the nervousness caused by pseudoephedrine causes them to lose sleep resulting in a ‘foggy brain'. I would suggest looking at your sinus condition in greater detail and assuring good sleep to improve brain health now and in the future.

Related Questions

Question
  • Neuropathy Pain in Legs and Feet
    I have neuropathy in both feet and legs. They feel heavy and at night they sometimes burn. My feet feel like I have a second skin, which makes it difficult to wiggle my toes and arch my feet.
  • Melatonin for Kids?
    My sister-in-law's pediatrician recommended melatonin to help her three-year-old go to sleep at night. She says it works well. But how safe can this type of thing be for toddlers?
  • Is Vertigo a Migraine Symptom?
    I was diagnosed with benign positional vertigo. Is vertigo, sometimes accompanied by nausea, a common precursor to migraines? My migraines don't usually have debilitating headaches; the vertigo is the worst symptom.
  • Can Dehydration Trigger a Migraine?
    I've been having visual migraines where I get jagged vision, usually in my left eye, and progressing from the lower right edge to encompass my whole left visual field. Could this be the result of dehydration?
  • Acupunture as a Migraine Treatment?
    I am a frequent migraine sufferer and I was told that acupuncture can actually help more than drugs to prevent attacks. Is this true?

Back to Brain Health and Memory

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences