Brain Fog in COVID-19 Patients Hurting Recovery; May Affect People Who Have Had Stroke or Brain Injury More: Doctors

ü  At Aakash Healthcare, approx. 30% of patients experienced neurological conditions as post-COVID complications since August, 2020

ü  Brain fog refers to a spectrum of neurological conditions including difficulty concentrating, confusion, memory loss, dizziness, delirium, impaired memory, seizures, and neuropathy, i.e., numbness in the hands and feet

ü  There is no unanimity as to what causes brain fog in a COVID-infected patient

ü  Impaired thinking can be caused by certain medications, low levels of vitamin B12, an underactive thyroid gland, excessive anxiety and other mental conditions, and obstructive sleep apnea as well.

New Delhi, March 05, 2021: An increasing number of post-COVID symptoms is making recovery challenging for both patients and their families. Brain fog, causing impaired thinking and concentration, is one of the serious neurological impacts of COVID-19 virus. Doctors stress that anyone can develop the complication but those who have had a stroke, a traumatic brain injury or have undergone long periods of anaesthesia are more likely to get affected.

Brain fog refers to a spectrum of neurological conditions in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and includes difficulty concentrating, confusion, memory loss, dizziness, delirium, impaired memory, seizures, and neuropathy, i.e., numbness in the hands and feet.

“Studies conducted across the globe suggest that a third of patients will develop some type of neurological illness associated with COVID-19. At Aakash Healthcare, approx. 30 per cent of patients experienced neurological conditions as post-COVID complications since August, 2020. There is no unanimity as to what causes brain fog in a COVID-infected patient – some opine the virus is neuro-invasive and can invade the brain and nearby nerves while others surmise it is caused by the body’s prolonged inflammatory response to the virus. Usually, a third of the affected people will recover completely while another third may have lingering effects that will take therapy and time to improve. The last third of COVID patients with neurological aftereffects may see a permanent impact, especially if they have been intubated, have had multiple organ failure or have been under anaesthesia for a while. The improvement is evident within 3 to 6 months after recovering from the infection but if they do not recover within 12 months, it is likely that the condition will be a lifelong one,” says Dr Madhukar Bharadwaj, Senior Consultant, Dept of Neurology, Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka.

Speaking on the same, Dr. A.K. Sahani, HOD Neurology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre said, “Impaired thinking, induced by a condition similar to brain fog, can be the result of one or more underlying conditions as well. “Generally, mild exercise, meditation, a healthy sleep cycle, playing memory games and solving puzzles have helped people recover from brain fog after COVID infection. Research has shown that side effects of some of the medicines treating incontinence, allergies, depression, or muscle spasms can affect the agility of mind. Therefore, one must check the history of the patient before prescribing medicines to treat COVID to avoid any interaction. Low levels of vitamin B12, hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid gland, excessive anxiety and other troubled mental conditions, and obstructive sleep apnea may also cause disruption in thinking and make recalling difficult. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night, including more fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, legumes, and fish in diet, and a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week can help improve the condition.”

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)