Brain Fog
While recovering from COVID-19, you may experience cognitive impairment, also known as “brain fog.” These terms describe problems with cognition or thinking, such as trouble remembering things, focusing and concentrating, problem-solving, planning or thinking quickly. Brain fog is one of the most common Post-COVID symptoms.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE
MEMORY:
If your memory is affected, you may find it difficult to hold information in your head and to make decisions based on that information. You may struggle to recall something that has happened, or forget to take medication on time.
ATTENTION AND CONCENTRATION:
Problems with attention and concentration can make it hard to focus and ignore distractions. It may be difficult to find the can opener in the cluttered utensil drawer, help your child with homework, hold a conversation with the TV on or keep up with fast-paced discussions.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS:
Executive functions are the mental processes that allow you to solve problems, make decisions, plan ahead and see tasks through to completion.
For example, executive functioning is needed to deal with problems, organize a holiday, get the car fixed or find a new job or a new place to live.
People with executive functioning problems often seem to be disorganized, impulsive, and not thinking things through. They may find it difficult to get going on tasks, or start a task but not see it through, perhaps getting distracted by something irrelevant and not noticing that they’ve drifted off-task.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
There are several reasons why people who had COVID-19 might experience difficulties with their memory and thinking skills. These include fatigue, stress and anxiety, difficulty sleeping, brain inflammation, and, in a smaller portion of the population, stroke. Speak with a member of our interdisciplinary healthcare team about why you may be experiencing lingering brain fog after a COVID-19 infection.
SYMPTOMS
Difficulty with problem solving and decision making.
Head feels cloudy or fuzzy
Take much longer to complete tasks
Feeling like one has to “think hard” on things that were previously easy to access (ie: phone numbers, names, important dates, 2+2=4)
People can also have difficulty sleeping and may experience insomnia.
Forgetfulness.
Forget tasks that you have to complete, such as appointments or things on your to-do list, taking medications, eating
Feel easily distracted
Attention and concentration deficiency.
Forget why you were going to a certain place (for example, forgetting why you went into the kitchen or why you left to go to the grocery store)
Fatigue and light-headedness can accompany brain fog.
MANAGEMENT
There are several ways to manage Post-COVID brain fog and lessen your frustration and the burden it has on your life. Some strategies include:
Reducing distractions while concentrating
Prioritizing more difficult tasks earlier in the day when you’re less fatigued
Setting reminders on your phone calendar to alert you to do big and small things (including when to eat!)
Setting routines so you don’t have to waste mental energy on remembering to do things
Speak with a member of our integrated healthcare team about specific strategies to help you manage brain fog.