What is covid-19 brain fog? what causes it?

But what exactly is brain fog, and is it limited to COVID?

It seems like

Brain fog is not a medical diagnosis, but rather a description patients use for their symptoms. Brain fog is what doctors refer to as “cognitive dysfunction.” It describes problems with closely related functions such as concentration, information processing, memory, thinking and reasoning, and language comprehension.

Brain fog is exactly what it sounds like: feeling like something covered in a thick fog, not being able to understand thoughts, feeling confused or disoriented, and having trouble recalling or recalling memories.

Victims describe brain fog experiences as decreased memory and concentration, with some saying they “put food on the gas stove and left for over an hour, only to see that they were burning.” “.

Others say they “forget doing normal routines like running a meeting at work”.

Brain fog can make even simple tasks like grocery shopping very difficult: navigating the car park, remembering a list of items to buy, switching attention between products and prices, and reading material becoming confusing, overwhelming, and tedious. can.

Brain fog can be unpleasant in the short term, but over time can make it difficult to maintain work and social activities. Brain fog can also take a toll on relationships, and can change the way we see ourselves personally and professionally.

A recent study asked people with chronic COVID-19 about their experiences with brain fog. They reported feeling guilt and shame, particularly about how brain fog had affected their ability to return to work and their relationships.

While the symptoms of brain fog can be similar to those experienced by people with Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions associated with aging, brain fog can affect people of any age. Brain fog usually does not get worse over time, and may not last forever.

linked to COVID

Brain fog was one of the most common symptoms to emerge in the first months of the COVID pandemic.

Recent reports suggest that 20-30% of people develop brain fog three months after infection. Brain fog also occurs in 85% of people with chronic COVID.

Although we have been hearing a lot about brain fog in relation to COVID, people experience this symptom along with many other diseases and disorders.

Scientists aren’t sure whether the same biological process underlies brain fog in different diseases; However, brain fog is common in people recovering from traumatic brain injury, experiencing persistent post-concussion symptoms, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, HIV, postural tachycardia syndrome, lupus, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, And as a side. Effect of chemotherapy. People with celiac disease can experience brain fog even after consuming gluten. It has also been reported as a symptom of menopause.

what causes it?

While COVID may cause shrinkage of certain areas of the brain, brain fog has not been linked to changes in brain volume on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

However, a new case report of two people found that when they had normal clinical MRI findings, there was also a decrease in oxygen use in a specific part of the brain called the cingulate cortex. This area, within the limbic system, is thought to be involved in attention and memory.

There is no single test for brain fog, so it can be difficult to diagnose. Although there are combinations of tests that can be used, formal testing may not always be helpful because symptoms can look different for each person, and some days may be worse than others.

How do you know you have it?

Traditional assessments can test a person’s executive function and cognitive status. But the findings in people with brain fog due to COVID have been mixed.

Some studies have found more problems with attention and executive function in people who have had COVID. The cognitive deficits associated with brain fog have also been reported to be worse for people with more severe COVID infections.

But other researchers have found that standard cognitive screening tests do not show good specificity for brain fog (that is, they cannot detect the absence of the condition and produce false negatives) and cannot determine the severity of brain fog. can.

A new study suggested that the conflicting findings in studies on brain fog may be due to brain functions assessed by different tests. People with both mild and more severe cases of COVID may experience problems with processing speed, reasoning, verbal and overall performance, but no problems with memory. So studies that use tests for memory are less likely to show effects of brain fog, no matter the severity.

In addition to scientific studies, brain fog is likely to be diagnosed based on symptoms and experiences that people report once other causes, such as not getting enough sleep, stress or hormonal changes, have been ruled out.

If you think you may be experiencing brain fog, it is advisable to note your symptoms and track them for several weeks, along with any changes in stress, diet or sleep. This information can help your doctor understand your symptoms and help you manage them.

how to manage

For people experiencing brain fog, developing coping strategies and prioritizing time to rest can help manage symptoms. Coping strategies can include making lists using visual reminders (such as calendars, digital alerts and timers) and switching work duties where possible.

Clinical trials are underway for naltrexone, a drug used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction, which has shown promise in reducing brain fog. While not currently available as a brain fog treatment in Australia, preliminary research in Ireland suggests it is safe and effective in low doses.

In addition to getting enough sleep, people are often encouraged to make an overall recovery from brain fog. This means looking at their overall health picture and prioritizing exercise and a healthy diet. If you are concerned about brain fog, your GP may refer you to a neurologist or neuropsychologist for further evaluation and management.

by Sarah Helwell, Curtin University