It’s high time we focused on this topic. Yes, due to the increasing rate of Covid-19 brain fog, it needs serious attention. Usually, medical experts do not portray brain fog as a medical condition. Instead, it is mainly described as feeling fuzzy or mentally lethargic. Well, we all are aware of the most common Covid-19 symptoms.
However, when the patients start recovering from the actual Covid-19 symptoms, almost 20 to 30% (according to research) of folks complain about brain fog.
We have covered the most widely asked queries on this topic. Our feature has combined the data from the latest study findings. Let us delve deeper.
What Is Brain Fog?
Patients who suffer from brain fog become mentally exhausted. This is because the condition weakens their minds. In turn, their minds become hesitant to take any action. Because of this, the patient finds it tough to concentrate. Consequently, the person tends to lose the usual efficiency at work. Moreover, it affects their day-to-day activities.
What Is Covid-19 Brain Fog?
Approximately 20% of Covid-19 survivors report having brain fog symptoms after several weeks. And according to the previous records, they are facing memory issues only after the Covid-19 infection. Thus, this post-covid-19 symptom may cause other health conditions. Those include- delirium, strokes, lethargy, depression, other mental disorders.
How & Why Covid-19 Causes Brain Fog?
To date, researchers are reviewing all the possible causes of brain fog in COVID-19 patients. However, they are contemplating both psychological plus physiological factors.
The novel Coronavirus usually spreads through close physical association with the infected person. And this virus is capable of entering the brain tissue. Well, some of the probable causes of Covid-19 brain fog are-
- Less blood flow in the brain (it happens when the small blood vessels become inflamed)
- When the affected cells damage the brain
- An autoimmune dysfunction (Consequently, the immune system attacks other healthy cells)
- Oxygen shortage inside the body (due to the infected lung)
The Effects Of COVID-19 On The Brain
Now some questions may arise. How does the virus make its way to the brain? Also, how does it affect the brain? Well, the virus can reach the brain through the hematogenous space. Also, it can happen through blood and the space inside the nose.
The human body holds specific receptors. It is known as angiotensin-converting enzymes. It belongs to the brain’s endothelial cells. And the virus quickly gets attached there. Another bad news is that the Coronavirus attacks the brain’s veins, arteries, and both sides.
Thus, the blood vessels get tightened. As a result, it interrupts the normal blood circulation inside the body. In turn, the oxygen supply in the body also reduces. Coronavirus, on the other hand, can cause severe brain damage very quickly.
What Should COVID-19 Patients Do If They Are Suffering From Covid-19 Brain Fog?
Well, here go some health advice for the Covid-19 patients with brain fog. After plenty of research, we have shortlisted the core practices. And it will be fruitful for you even if you don’t face the neurological symptoms. Let us have a look.
Maintaining Proper Sleep Cycle
Yeah, it may sound normal to you. However, sound sleep ensures enhancement and protection of the brain. All-day long, your brain hardly gets any rest even if you don’t work. That is why adult persons require 7-8 hours of interruption-free sleep every day. Here is an interesting fact.
The brain preserves the freshest memories during sleep. Also, sleep works as a memory booster. While you sleep, your brain gets prepared to store the subsequent memories. But people may face post-covid-19 trouble sleeping. Then, they need expert consultation.
Practicing Exercises For Brain Fog
As you know, Coronavirus may affect memory cells badly. So, the patient should grow a habit of playing some games, to be specific, memory games. And it involves solving puzzles, crosswords, short math quiz. If your Rubik’s Cube is lying idle, it’s the best time to utilize it.
Every day, a brain puzzle can help to stimulate the functionality of the brain. Moreover, it improves the overall memory regeneration process.
Related More: Ultimate List of Compound Exercises That Beginner Should Know
Maintaining A Balanced Diet
Your food habit regulates brain functions significantly. To clarify, how your brain works depends on glucose intake. Also, the brain receives almost twenty percent energy and sugar from the daily intake of a person.
So, balancing the overall food macro ratio is crucial. Besides, foods like fish oil, almonds, eggs, salmon are beneficial to improve memory.
Related More: What We Need to Do to Get Ready for The Next Pandemic
Other Healthy Habits
- Meditation
- Aerobic exercise
- Listening to soft music
- Creative works
- Reading books
- Relaxing exercise
These tasks gradually aid in improving cognitive brain activities. Thus, the patients may notice significant changes in memorizing, thinking clearly, making decisions, or focusing on works.
How Long Covid-19 Brain Fog Usually Last?
Researchers are yet to find the usual lasting time of brain fog after Covid-19. However, according to some patients’ reports, it may last for several weeks to months. A December 2020 study discovered that around 20% of Covid-19 patients faced persistent concentration issues. And that problem lasted for more than a hundred days in the post-hospitalization period for COVID-19.
Also, according to researchers’ another study report, in a group of 60 Covid-19 recovered patients, 55% suffered from different neurological disorders. And that continued almost three months after their Covid-19 infection. Well, the symptoms were-
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- A disturbance in vision
Related More: Where COVID-19 Cases Are Rising
The Bottom Line
Now we know, Covid-19 and brain fog both have a close connection. However, we have prevention as the Covid-19 vaccine is widely available now. Nevertheless, the infection is too vigorous to control at once. That is why the Covid-19 infection issues are still on the front page of everywhere.
Furthermore, the Covid-19 is a new outbreak. Hence, sufficient research is still yet to be performed. That is why the damage level of Covid-19 brain fog may vary depending on patients’ immune systems. However, we recommend following the physician’s guidelines. Also, it would help if the patients adopt a wholesome lifestyle.
