Poor concentration: its causes, treatment, and advice from the Gulf Health Council

With the fast pace of daily life and the increasing number of digital distractions, poor concentration one of the most common problems facing individuals of all ages. The Gulf Health Council highlighted this phenomenon, cautioning against rushing to medical alarm, as the main cause often lies in an unhealthy lifestyle rather than serious organic diseases.

The concept of poor concentration and its diagnosis

Poor concentration is defined as a state of mental distraction that makes it difficult for individuals, whether children or adults, to complete tasks or pay close attention to details. The council explained that diagnosis does not always require complex tests such as brain scans, but relies primarily on clinical examination and medical history. However, further testing may be necessary if poor concentration is accompanied by other symptoms, such as constipation, weight gain, and excessive sleepiness, which could indicate problems like hypothyroidism.

The main causes of poor concentration

The causes of attention deficit vary between behavioral and pathological factors, and the following list includes the 12 most prominent causes:

• An unbalanced lifestyle: This includes lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and not drinking enough water.
• Chronic stress: Feeling tired and excessively exhausted drains brain energy.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Low levels of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, negatively affect cognitive functions.
• Psychological disorders: such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
• Thyroid problems: specifically hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
• Sleep disorders: such as sleep apnea syndrome, which deprives the brain of sufficient oxygen at night.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Neurodegenerative diseases: such as dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease, which are associated with aging.
• Psychosomatic illnesses.

Factors affecting children and adolescents

Experts have pointed out that children and adolescents may suffer from poor concentration for additional reasons related to their environment and developmental stages, including:

• Excessive school pressure or lack of mental challenge (very low demands).
• Fear of failure and exposure to psychological pressure within the family.
• Hormonal and physiological changes that accompany difficult growth stages such as puberty.

Effective strategies for treating poor concentration

Effective treatment lies in adopting healthy daily habits that promote brain health, and among the most important tips provided by the Gulf Health Council are:

• Proper nutrition: Maintaining a varied and balanced diet that provides the brain with energy.
• Constant hydration: Drink at least two liters of fluids daily to maintain the activity of nerve cells.
• Regulating sleep: Getting enough good quality sleep at night to enable the brain to process information.
• Managing technology use: Minimize exposure to screens (phones, television) and avoid loud noises to reduce sensory distraction.
• Relaxation and breathing techniques: Practicing yoga or deep breathing exercises; studies have shown that sitting upright and breathing slowly and deeply enhances oxygen flow to the brain and improves attention.
• Rest periods: Giving the body and mind regular breaks during work or study to rejuvenate.

In conclusion, specialists stress the need to consult a doctor if poor concentration becomes a real obstacle preventing an individual from performing their daily or professional tasks correctly, in order to rule out any pathological causes that require special therapeutic intervention.