Decoding Brain Fog Syndrome after COVID-19?

Cough, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue and fever are typical symptoms of Covid-19. However, another unusual symptom of Covid-19 is "brain fog"; in which mental lethargy may persist, affecting the ability to perform daily tasks.

Video content is professionally consulted by MSc Dr. Vu Duy Dung, Neurologist, Vinmec Times City Hospital

Brain fog is not a medical condition in itself, it is actually a symptom of other health conditions that can cause unpleasant mental symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, poor concentration or lack of clarity.
Persistent "brain fog" is one of the neurological symptoms that have been reported in people with COVID-19 after they have recovered from the disease. The cause may be encephalitis. The virus destroys the barrier that prevents foreign bodies from entering the brain, thereby causing inflammation.
Many patients complain of problems with memory such as being easily distracted, having difficulty following conversations and having difficulty concentrating and participating in daily tasks. Symptoms of brain fog can also appear such as:
You walk into a room and forget why you were there. You have a hard time thinking of the right words. Difficulty remembering what you just read. Takes longer to complete certain tasks. Forget recipes or steps when cooking. Forgetting what you're doing after becoming distracted... These symptoms often appear after a patient has experienced an acute phase of COVID-19 and returns to work. In many cases, patients have difficulty performing daily tasks or management. This can negatively affect their quality of life.

Scientists are still studying the potential causes of post-COVID-19 brain fog. However, several known causes of this condition include:
Brain oxygen deficiency due to lung damage Encephalitis Autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack healthy cells in the body Sudden Brain stroke The cause of brain fog is also due to overwork, lack of sleep, stress and spending too much time on the computer. At the cellular level, brain fog is thought to be caused by high levels of inflammation and changes to the hormones that determine your mood, energy, and focus.
In addition, medication or medical conditions (related to inflammation, fatigue or changes in blood sugar levels), even nutritional deficiencies or deficiencies, can contribute to symptoms. brain fog.
Long-term complications after contracting COVID-19 are different for each person. For some patients, the post-COVID-19 brain fog may go away after a few months. But for others, it may last longer.
In response to brain fog syndrome, Dr. Vu Duy Dung recommends that:
Treatment of brain fog depends on the cause. For example, if you are anemic, iron supplementation can increase red blood cell production and reduce brain fog...
Sometimes, minimizing brain fog is a matter of correcting the deficiency. nutritional deficiencies, change medications, or improve the quality of your sleep.
Home remedies to improve brain fog you can do like:
Get enough 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Avoid stress and stress Exercise regularly every day for at least 30 minutes Limit coffee, avoid alcohol and stimulants Increase protein, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats Participate in social activities Besides, please consult with professional doctors for specific advice on current health status.