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).