What is COVID Fog? | How Long Does Covid Fog Last?
COVID Fog is a term used to describe the negative cognitive effects of COVID-19. It may affect your mood, memory, and concentration.
Impact of COVID-19 Fog
Some of the negative impacts of COVID Fog are fatigue, feeling like you can’t think straight, forgetting what you were going to say in the middle of a sentence, and having trouble focusing on one task at a time.
Several studies have found gray matter changes in patients who have recovered from COVID. This is consistent with what many patients have experienced.
Studies have demonstrated gray matter volume decreases in multiple parts of the brain including the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, where cellular mechanisms have been linked to cognitive functioning.
Over a quarter of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 had lingering difficulties with concentration 3 months after discharge. This number is thought to be similar for patients who have even had milder cases of COVID.
As with most conditions, it is important to take steps towards recovery by taking care of yourself and getting plenty of rest. Make sure you eat well-balanced meals with healthy fats like omega-3s for brain health. Exercise regularly – even if it’s just walking or going for a light jog every day.
It is not known exactly how long symptoms of COVID Fog may persist or if they are permanent.
While it is too early to say for sure, there are likely to be cognitive therapies and medications which may help with certain aspects of COVID Fog.