What causes “brain fog” and what doesn’t?

Memory and concentration failures are how brain fog sufferers describe their experiences.

Many new scientific and medical phrases have entered our ordinary language as a result of the COVID epidemic. In debates concerning virus strains, PCR testing, and death rates, many of us are now proficient. In order to define a now-common symptom of COVID and extended COVID, “brain fog” has entered their ranks.

The term “brain fog” is often used by patients to describe their symptoms but is not a recognised medical diagnosis. Cognitive impairment is what medical professionals call brain fog. This refers to issues with activities that are closely related to one another, such as language comprehension, information processing, memory, thinking, and reasoning.

The impression of being enveloped in a dense fog, not quite being able to understand concepts, feeling lost or bewildered, and having problems focusing or recalling memories are all symptoms of brain fog.

Some report they “placed food on the gas burner and walked away for almost an hour, only recognising when they were burning,” since symptoms of brain fog include memory and attention impairments.

Some claim that they “forget how to conduct basic tasks, such as leading a meeting at work.”

Even basic chores like grocery shopping may become quite challenging when one is suffering from brain fog: finding a parking spot, recalling a list of things to buy, juggling attention between objects and prices, and reading ingredients can all be perplexing, demanding, and draining.

Although it might be uncomfortable in the near term, brain fog makes it challenging to work and sustain social activities over time. Relationships might suffer, and we may begin to view ourselves differently on a personal and professional level as a result of brain fog.

People with lengthy COVID were asked about their experiences with brain fog in a recent research. Particularly in light of how their ability to resume their jobs and their relationships had been hampered by their brain fog, they admitted to feeling guilty and ashamed.

Brain fog can afflict persons of any age, despite the fact that its symptoms might resemble those of Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders linked to ageing. It is uncommon for brain fog to get worse over time or stay indefinitely.

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