Long Covid and Brain Fog
In recent times, the term “Long COVID” has been used to state
affliction in either persons who have recovered from COVID-19 but still
have lasting infection impacts or those who have had the common symptoms
for far longer than would be expected to. The most prevalent symptoms
reported among these persons has been cognitive symptoms such as
concentration difficulties (75), as well as forgetfulness,
disorientation, and struggling to find the right words, colloquially
referred to as brain fog (76-78).
Likewise, focusing on the neuropsychiatric effects of the SARS-COV 2
infection, longitudinal epidemiology research has revealed a wide range
of long-term effects in patients who survived the COVID-19 pandemic.
This research shows that almost 80% of subjects discharged from
hospitals complained of at least one of the following symptoms, such as
fatigue, myalgia, dizziness, muscle weakness, headache, sleep
disturbances, cognitive impairment, and brain fog (79-81).
Brain fog can cause confusion, forgetfulness, and a loss of focus and
mental clarity. This can be exacerbated by overwork, inadequate sleep,
stress, and excessive internet use. High levels of cellular inflammation
and changes in the hormones that regulate your mood, energy, and focus
are known to have a role in brain fog. The hormone levels are out of
balance, which throws off the entire system. Additionally, brain fog
syndrome may lead to the development of additional conditions like
obesity, irregular menstruation, and diabetes mellitus (82).