Brain Fog After COVID? Ways to Improve Symptoms

Key Takeaways

COVID brain fog, while not a formal medical diagnosis, is a common symptom of COVID-19 that affects mental clarity and cognitive abilities. This can make everyday tasks challenging to perform.
Symptoms can persist for up to two years after infection, although it is unclear if everyone will fully recover from the long-term effects of COVID brain fog as the condition is still not fully understood. Seeking medical attention to manage symptoms is crucial.
Healthcare professionals recommend getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and prioritizing mental and physical health to help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life that has been impaired by COVID brain fog.

Recovering from COVID-19 isn’t always an easy process. Some people report lingering symptoms after even a mild case of COVID-19. This is referred to as long COVID. One common symptom of long COVID is called “brain fog.” This is when the person experiences cognitive impairment, decreased alertness, and difficulty focusing, leading to difficulty completing tasks and solving problems. Continue reading to learn more about what you can do to relieve long COVID symptoms like brain fog.

What is COVID brain fog?

COVID-19 brain fog affects mental clarity and cognitive abilities. Although it is not a formal medical diagnosis, the term is often used to describe the sluggish feeling or muddled thinking that occurs from COVID-19 during the illness and even after people recover. This can make it challenging for them to perform everyday tasks in work, school, and daily life.

Some of the neurologic symptoms linked to COVID-19 brain fog are:

Behavior and mood changes
Trouble solving problems
Difficulty paying attention
Difficulty concentrating
Short-term memory loss
Mental fatigue and cognitive impairment

Brain fog and mental fatigue are not only associated with COVID-19 but also with other health conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome or menopause, as well as a side effect of chemotherapy (commonly referred to as chemo brain). COVID-19 brain fog has become an important issue since the start of COVID-19, and it is important to raise awareness and provide support to those suffering from it.

How does COVID cause brain fog?

The reason why some people develop brain fog after having COVID-19 has yet to be fully understood. However, researchers are exploring several theories to understand this phenomenon better. Here's what current research suggests:

The COVID-19 virus may cause brain inflammation.
An overactive immune system can attack the brain during COVID-19.
Sleep disturbances from COVID-19 can cause cognitive impairment.

Brain fog affects cognitive abilities, and research indicates that COVID-19 may harm brain cells, interrupting communication between them and causing brain abnormalities.

How long does the COVID brain fog last for?

Brain fog can persist for an extended period after recovering from COVID-19. People report experiencing symptoms for anywhere between a few weeks to several months. Long COVID can sometimes cause only mild symptoms, while others can have more serious symptoms. Long COVID symptoms can vary between individuals, and seeking medical attention is recommended.

Is COVID brain fog permanent?

It's unclear if everyone will fully recover from the long-term effects of COVID brain fog. Symptoms may persist for up to two years after infection. Seeking medical attention to manage the condition is crucial, as ongoing research is needed to understand causes and treatments.

How does COVID-related brain fog feel?

If you are not sure whether you are experiencing COVID brain fog, patients often report the following cognitive challenges and symptoms:

Confusion or poor concentration
Trouble finding the right words or slow thinking
Difficulty with multitasking
Forgetfulness and memory loss
Taking more time and concentration than usual to finish regular tasks
Difficulty remembering details

In addition, you may also notice feeling the following:

More tired than usual
Severe headaches
Difficulty sleeping
Shorter temper

How common is COVID brain fog?

The extent of brain fog in COVID-19 patients is still unclear. A study found that 7% of those infected developed neurological symptoms, suggesting millions globally may be experiencing similar symptoms. Brain fog can even affect those with mild COVID-19 symptoms, with half of those with long-term symptoms reporting it. Proper monitoring and management of symptoms is crucial.

Ways to improve long COVID symptoms

Dealing with cognitive symptoms such as brain fog can be challenging as there are no medications available to treat COVID-19-related brain fog. However, NIH is supporting a program called RECOVER-NEURO, which aims to determine if cognitive training programs and home medical devices can assist with COVID brain fog. Lifestyle changes have also been found to be beneficial in relieving symptoms.

Eat a healthy diet

The MIND diet, which stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, has been shown to have a positive impact on memory, cognitive function, and brain functions. This diet emphasizes eating a variety of healthy foods, including leafy greens, nuts, berries, whole grains, and fish.

Additionally, it suggests limiting processed foods and red meat and reducing the intake of foods high in saturated and trans fats. It is also recommended that you avoid alcohol and tobacco, as these can negatively impact brain function, which is also important to reduce brain fog.

By adopting healthy dietary habits and avoiding harmful substances, you can support a healthy brain and alleviate symptoms of COVID brain fog.

Stay active

Exercise is not only beneficial for physical and mental health, but it can also have a positive impact on brain health. Regular exercise has been shown to improve memory problems and speed up cognitive function.

Additionally, exercise can reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to the brain, which can promote overall brain health. Therefore, incorporating physical activity into your routine can be an effective way to help alleviate COVID brain fog. It is also important to stay hydrated before, during, and after exercise. Drinking more water can help improve many medical conditions and symptoms, and researchers found proper hydration can positively impact recovery for long COVID patients.

Getting enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is one of the best ways to keep your brain and mind sharp. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Creating a healthy sleep environment and sticking to a regular sleep schedule can be helpful in promoting restful sleep and recovery.

Some tips for creating a healthy sleep environment include minimizing noise and light, keeping the room at a comfortable temperature, and avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime, such as using electronic devices or watching TV.

Spending time with friends

Research has shown that social interactions can significantly impact our happiness and overall health. Spending time with friends and family can help reduce stress, alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression, and improve our sense of well-being.

Additionally, joining a new club or group can provide opportunities to meet new people and form new social connections, which can also be beneficial for brain health and cognitive function. Therefore, making time for social activities and prioritizing social connections can be an effective way to help alleviate symptoms of COVID brain fog and promote overall health and well-being.

Keeping up to date with your medical care

It's important to work with your primary healthcare provider to manage any other medical conditions you may have, as certain conditions can take a toll on your brain over time. For example, conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia if left untreated. Therefore, managing these conditions is crucial to protect your overall brain health. By working with your healthcare provider to manage your medical conditions, you can protect yourself from long-term changes and effects of these conditions and potentially alleviate symptoms of COVID brain fog.

Focusing on mental health

Stress, depression, and anxiety can significantly affect your ability to concentrate and think clearly. Therefore, it's important to prioritize your mental health if you're experiencing brain fog. Working with a therapist or counselor can help you develop strategies to manage stress and improve your mental health.

Additionally, exercises such as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation have been shown to effectively reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function, and promote overall well-being.

Finding a new hobby

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be challenging, especially when experiencing brain fog and not feeling like yourself. However, trying a new hobby can improve cognitive symptoms and promote overall mental health. Some hobbies, such as reading, crafting, or practicing a musical instrument, have been shown to have a positive impact on mental health.

Additionally, hobbies like puzzling or playing games can improve memory and processing speed, which can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing COVID brain fog. Trying a new hobby also provides opportunities to meet new people and form new social connections, which further enhance overall well-being. By exploring new hobbies and activities, you may be able to help alleviate symptoms of COVID brain fog and discover new passions and interests along the way.

Conclusion

COVID-19 brain fog is a common symptom of long COVID that can make concentrating, remembering things, and completing tasks difficult. While COVID brain fog is not fully understood and there is no cure, clinical trials are being conducted. In the meantime, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and prioritizing mental health can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

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