COVID-19 Brain Fog: Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery Tips
The most common Coronavirus disease symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and tiredness. However, neurological symptoms affecting the brain and nervous system are observed in up to 25% of persons who acquire COVID-19.
We’ll look at why COVID-19 produces brain fog in certain people, how common it is, and when to seek medical help for these neurological diseases in this blog.
What is COVID-19 Brain Fog?
Let us begin by attempting to comprehend brain fog. Individuals use the phrase “brain fog” to describe how they feel when their thinking is slow, fuzzy, and not crisp. It’s not a scientific or medical word.
This is a feeling that we all get from time to time. When you were sick with the flu or another sickness, you might not have been able to think properly. Perhaps you were jet-lagged and your thinking was slow since it seemed like 2 a.m. Perhaps you took an antihistamine or another medicine that caused your thinking to become fuzzy for a few hours. In each scenario, you most likely just waited for things to return to normal, whether that meant recuperating from your sickness, adapting to the new time zone, or waiting for the medication’s adverse effects to wear off.
The Symptoms of Brain Fog
It is important to note that brain fog is not a medical condition. Instead, it’s a catch-all phrase for the sensation of being cognitively sluggish, hazy or spaced out.
Among the symptoms of brain fog are:
● Issues with memory
● Inability to take a decision
● Inability to concentrate
● A sense of being “out of it”
● Headaches
● Confusion
Most people have bouts of brain fog from time to time. You’ve probably felt cognitively sluggish after a bad night’s sleep or while under a lot of stress. However, some COVID-19 patients describe brain fog that lasts weeks or even months after their other symptoms, such as cough, tiredness, or fever, have subsided.
Why does COVID-19 produce brain fog?
Researchers are still looking into the possible reason for brain fog in patients who have undergone COVID-19. Both physiological and psychological variables are considered to play a role.
The new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, known as SARS-CoV-2, is thought to transmit through intimate contact with an infected person. That person’s respiratory droplets may enter your body through your nose, mouth, or eyes
Once within your body, the coronavirus penetrates cells via an enzyme known as the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The virus is neuro-invasive, which means it may infiltrate brain tissue.
Several case studies have discovered that some patients who have undergone COVID-19 experience problems such as altered consciousness or encephalopathy. Encephalopathy is a broad word that relates to brain injury or sickness.
Treatment to improve The Brain Fog
To help rid the brain fog, you should engage yourself in the following activities that are known to improve everyone’s thinking and memory:
1. Aerobic exercise should be done:
You might need to start slowly, possibly with two to three minutes a few times a day. While there is no set “dose” of exercise to promote brain function, it is usually suggested that you aim for 30 minutes of activity each day, five days a week.
2. Consume Mediterranean-style meals:
It has been established that a nutritious diet rich in olive oil, fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes, and whole grains improves thinking and memory. as well as brain health.
3. Sleep soundly:
While sleeping, the brain and body can eliminate toxins and recover. Ensure to take a sound sleep and give rest to your body.
4. Take part in social activities:
We are social beings. Not only can social activities improve our moods, but they also improve our thinking and memory.
Engage in innovative, intellectually stimulating activities, listen to music, practise mindfulness, and maintain a positive mental attitude, among other helpful activities.
What is the average duration?
The duration of COVID-19-induced brain fog is currently unknown. Some patients experience cognitive fog for weeks or months after their respiratory symptoms have passed.
According to research released in December 2020, around 28% of patients who were admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 had persisting concentration issues more than 100 days later.
In a separate study, researchers discovered that 3 months after recovering from COVID-19, 55 per cent of 60 patients still experienced neurological problems. Among the symptoms were:
● mood swings
● fatigue
● headaches
● disruptions in vision
Source
What should you do if you think you could be suffering from COVID-19 brain fog?
The first and most crucial step is to visit your doctor and explain all of your symptoms. These should include symptoms such as brain fog and other neurologic symptoms (such as weakness, numbness, tingling, loss of smell or taste) and difficulties like shortness of breath, palpitations, and abnormal urine or stool.
After their respiratory symptoms have passed, some patients with COVID-19 report enduring cognitive fog for weeks or months. This disease is considered to be caused by a mix of physiological abnormalities in the brain and psychosocial influences.
Researchers are still attempting to figure out why some people acquire COVID-19-related neurological symptoms while others do not. If you’ve had COVID-19 and are experiencing chronic cognitive difficulties that are interfering with your ability to think properly, make an appointment with your doctor.
At Emoha, senior care services are a key priority and so is community engagement activities that help ensure a sense of inclusive living. For us, it is always #EldersFirst
