![]() ![]() “A disease like COVID produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been known to have certain neurological effects and, as a consequence, some individuals experience COVID induced brain fog,” says Giordano, who adds that neurological effects of low level inflammation, both in the body and in the brain, is something he and other researchers are concerned about. Which brings us to … The connection to COVID-19 It’s that their cognitive processes really seem to have these epochs, these periods during the day where they’re a bit sharper.”Ī mild concussion or head injury can also produce a brain fog-like syndrome that can last days to weeks, and in other cases, individuals who suffer from a disease, most notably in inflammatory disease (including some infectious diseases) can have a brain fog syndrome that can last days to weeks to months, explains Giordano. They feel a little foggier in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening. “Some may experience what’s called circadian brain fog. Some people feel brain fog before or after exercise,” he explains. “Some individuals find that during the course of their day, their metabolism shifts and as a consequence of those shifts, they have changed in the metabolic demands and supplies of their brain and they feel foggy. Next to substance-induced brain fog, shifts in metabolism throughout the day along with exercise and your body’s internal clock can be culprits. Dairy products, particularly for lactose intolerant people, along with sugar, can prompt a drop in energy levels. Instead of feeling jolted, caffeine might cause you to feel tired and sleepy. ![]() Caffeine can also have a paradoxical effect on some people. You really can’t concentrate, you feel tired, but not sleepy tired, you feel fatigued,” Giordano says. You’re not quite yourself, you’re having sort of problems getting up and going. Hangover is a wonderful example of what brain fog would feel like. “Probably the one that’s most known to everyone is the hangover effect. “So brain fog really represents exactly that fogginess in one’s ability to engage cognitive and motor skills, including but not limited to, learning, planning, memory and execution.”Ĭauses of non-COVID-related brain fog can be broken down into three categories: substance, situational and disease-induced brain fog. Notably not an official medical term, brain fog is a term used to describe “subjective feelings of mild disorientation, inability to concentrate, struggles with orientation of time of day and/or situations, problems with short-term memory and recall, difficulty in acquiring new information and some difficulties in what is clinically referred to as executive function, aka your daily tasks: remembering where you left your keys or how certain things work,” explains Giordano. James Giordano, a professor of neurology at Georgetown University Medical Center to get the lowdown on brain fog, why it happens and what, if anything, can be done about it. Regardless of what is causing this fuzzy brain funk, though, I’d really like to get to the bottom of it, and if you’re experiencing a similar sensation you probably would, too. Now I admit I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, and I cannot say for certain that the brain fog I seem to be experiencing is related to my own past COVID-19 infection. It’s a phenomenon most commonly referred to as “brain fog.” People sick with the virus or long haulers - those still experiencing symptoms weeks or even months after infection - have reported cognitive challenges associated with forgetfulness, confusion and lack of mental clarity. Over the past year and a half, researchers have been studying the effects COVID-19 is having on the brain. My cognitive function, in general, has seemed to take a downwards turn as of late. ![]() Nowadays, it isn’t until two hours after a scheduled appointment or an event that I realize I’ve completely missed it. It’s not that I was ever particularly terrific at staying on top of mundane tasks, but they would always cross my mind at some point, which would then prompt me to make a mental note or write down whatever I needed to do. Like appointments and meetings and where I placed, well, almost everything. I know my name, what year it is and the current president, but I find myself continuously forgetting small things I shouldn’t. Over the past few months, I haven’t been able to remember much. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |