Ajit Karn
Introduction
Have you ever experienced episodes in which your mind seems foggy, everything seems perplexing, and the simplest tasks, such as perusing the morning paper or answering a simple exam question, seem like a Herculean task?
Well, this peculiar sensation may be due to brain fog!
Brain fog is a common condition characterized by periods of perplexity, migraines, and mental cloudiness. On a cellular level, brain fog is believed to be caused by inflammation, which disrupts our delicate hormonal equilibrium. This imbalance affects the entire system and can diminish your life’s quality.
Frequent causes of brain fog include extreme tension, depression, lack of sleep, and overwork. However, brain fog has been in the news recently due to its close association with COVID-19 infection.
The purpose of this article is to define brain fog and explain why COVID-19 causes it.
Symptoms of Brain Fog
Brain fog is a term used to define the sensation of being mentally hazy, sluggish, and disoriented. These are some symptoms of brain fog that you may experience:
- Poor concentration
- Constant headaches
- Absence of proper clarity of mind
- Confusion
- Issues with memory
- Feeling as if you are detached mentally
- Mental fatigue
- Difficulty in thinking and understanding simple situations
What is the link between COVID-19 & Brain Fog?
There is no solid evidence explaining why COVID-19 appears to cause brain fog. However, psychological and physiological factors are believed to be at play. Once the coronavirus has invaded the system and entered the cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, it is able to penetrate brain tissue due to its neuro-invasive nature.
Numerous studies have shown that COVID-19 patients experience complications such as altered consciousness, brain injury, or brain disease, which are collectively referred to as encephalopathy.
High levels of inflammatory cytokine molecules, which are produced by the immune system, were detected in the fluid surrounding the brains of individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 infection a few weeks earlier, according to case studies. One of the many causes of brain fog is inflammation within the brain, which impedes the neurons’ ability to communicate fully with one another.
Brain Fog is one of the commonest Long Covid Symptoms reported.
Non-COVID-19 factors that contribute to Brain Fog
Some ways in which COVID-19 can indirectly cause brain fog in people are as follows:
- Feeling lonely
- Poor quality of sleep daily
- Symptoms of depression
- High levels of anxiety or stress
- Changes with respect to your diet
- Lowered physical activity
- Taking certain medications and their associated side effects
Also Read: Top 5 Benefits of Chanting OM
How long can Brain Fog last?
According to WHO reports, some individuals experienced brain fog for weeks or even months after their respiratory symptoms subsided – Long Covid Symptom.
In a study involving 60 participants, it was discovered that 55% of participants continued to experience neurological symptoms three months after their COVID-19 infection. These symptoms consisted of:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Visual disturbances
- Mood shifts or mood swings
- Change in Sleep routine
Treatment for COVID-19 Brain Fog
The best solution to tackle brain fog induced by COVID-19 infection is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Some ways to boost mental function and reduce symptoms of brain fog are listed below:
- Regular physical activity is not only beneficial for losing or maintaining weight, but also for enhancing cognitive function and sustaining healthy lungs and heart. A straightforward daily walk or jog of 30 minutes can do miracles for your mental health.
- Consistently sleeping eight hours per night is necessary for the body to repair and recuperate. To ensure a restful night’s sleep, practice healthy resting practices such as:
- Avoid gazing at your phone or computer screen for at least 30 minutes prior to bedtime.
- Consume your last meal two to three hours before slumber to ensure normal digestion.
- Sleep at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning to establish a circadian rhythm.
- Sleep in a quiet chamber.
If you are anxious about certain aspects of your life, record your distracting thoughts.
- Eating well is essential for providing the sustenance the body needs to remain healthy. It is believed that a Mediterranean diet consisting of olive oil, nuts, beans, whole cereals, fruits, and vegetables is the best for refining the mind and enhancing reasoning and memory. Reduce your intake of sodium and sugar.
- The consumption of alcohol and tobacco can exacerbate brain inflammation.
- Participate in social activities: Participation in social activities can improve your temperament, memory, and thinking.
- Engaging in beneficial pastimes and activities, such as practicing meditation, reading, acquiring a new hobby, or listening to soothing music, can not only stimulate cognitive abilities but also contribute to the maintenance of a positive outlook.
- If symptoms worsen, consult a neurologist or psychiatrist for evaluation and treatment.
Conclusion:
Brain fog is a common side effect of COVID-19 infection, and it can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months after the illness has subsided. If the symptoms of brain fog cause cognitive issues that disrupt your productivity or continue to impair your quality of life despite adopting the aforementioned healthy habits, discuss with your doctor the most effective alternative means of managing the symptoms.
