Long COVID is a persistent collection of symptoms that may persist for weeks, months, or even years after contracting COVID-19. Brain fog is one of many potential symptoms of long COVID. If you or a loved one is experiencing brain fog from prolonged COVID, you may be wondering when or if the symptoms will finally ease. This is a question that doctors and scientists continue to delve into.
What is COVID brain fog?
Brain fog is one of several possible symptoms of COVID. Although long covid brain is not a medical term, it is a phrase used to refer to a variety of symptoms that affect cognition and memory, including:
thoughts that can be described as sluggish or vague
problems concentrating
difficulty making decisions or planning
memory problems
mental fatigue
confusion
Globally, 43% of people infected with COVID-19 experienced some form of prolonged COVID. They also found that memory impairment -- a feature of brain fog -- was the second most commonly reported Long COVID symptom after fatigue. High levels of inflammatory or immune activity in response to COVID-19 affect the brain. But more research is needed.
How long does COVID brain fog usually last?
Because COVID-19 has been around for several years, researchers have a better understanding of the Long effects of the disease. But it's unclear exactly how long symptoms like brain fog last.
The researchers found that 88 percent of respondents had cognitive or memory problems. The likelihood of developing COVID-19 symptoms increases during the first few months after developing symptoms and then begins to decrease.
At the beginning of the 7th month after onset of COVID-19 symptoms, 55.5% of respondents reported cognitive problems. In addition, 50.5% still reported memory problems.
Researchers followed up with participants by email 4 to 6 months after the initial assessment. Of those who responded to the follow-up, 65 percent felt their brain fog symptoms were gradually improving.
Brain fog symptoms may still persist for months
A 2022 study looked at recovery in individuals with Long COVID and neurological symptoms such as brain fog. The average time since participants developed symptoms of COVID-19 was 14.8 months. After the initial assessment, the researchers followed up with the participants for six to nine months. At follow-up, brain fog reports did not change significantly from the initial assessment.
What can you do to manage post covid brain symptoms?
In the longcovidcarecenter we know more about the long covid brain fog and in the article How To Get Rid Of Long Covid-19 Brain Fog? we can learn more about the Long COVID B rain Fog in more detail, none of which has been tried The Real Way to Reduce Brain Fog Symptoms.
Plan your day: It may help to set a daily routine and goals for the things you want to accomplish each day.
Pace yourself: Try to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself. If you feel exhausted or overwhelmed, don't be afraid to take a break.
Stay active: Exercise is good for your overall health. It elevates your mood, benefits brain health and reduces stress. Try to get regular physical activity most days of the week.
Get enough sleep: Not getting enough sleep can negatively affect your health. Try to have a consistent sleep schedule and make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and at a comfortable temperature.
Eat a balanced diet: Try to eat a balanced diet. Since inflammation may play a role in brain fog, consider adding more anti-inflammatory foods like tomatoes, broccoli and fatty fish to your diet.
Reduce stress: Prolonged COVID symptoms can be stressful. Consider stress management techniques such as breathing exercises, meditative walks, guided imagery, yoga, or even a hobby you enjoy.
Stay connected: Social connections are important, so take time to hang out with family and friends. Joining a Long COVID patient support group can also help you connect with others with similar issues.
Brain fog is a common symptom of long COVID. While it improves over time, brain fog symptoms can still occur months or years after contracting COVID-19. If you have brain fog, strategies such as pacing yourself, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting enough sleep may help manage symptoms. It's important to see your doctor if your post covid brain fog treatment or interferes with your daily life.