The disease is caused by an infection with a novel coronaviruses. If you have COVID-19, you may experience a number of symptoms.

  • It is a case of a fever or chills.
  • cough
  • sore throat.
  • The breath was very thin.
  • There is a throbbing head.
  • There is a lot of diarrhea.
  • Loss of smell or taste.

For most people who get COVID-19, these symptoms go away with time, just like with any viral infection.

But there are notable differences between COVID-19 and other viral illnesses, like the flu, such as the potential for severe illnesses, death, and long-term effects among people who recover.

For some people, COVID-19 may cause long-term neurological (brain and nerve) effects, including brain fog. These brain effects may happen during your illness, as soon as you’ve recovered, or even many months after.

Brain fog may be caused by structural changes in the brain. We discuss this in detail and look at the research findings.

Many illnesses affect the brain. The brain effects may be longer lasting than the illness.

Like other Pandemics, COVID-19 may be linked to a higher likelihood of post-traumatic stress symptoms that can affect how the brain functions.

To test this theory, researchers in a 2021 study compared 173 people who had recovered from COVID-19 with a control group of 169 people who had not had COVID-19.

In two different sessions, the COVID-19 survivors scored significantly higher for post-traumatic stress disorder (There is a psychological condition called post traumatic stress disorder.) than the control group.

Brain scans showed structural and functional changes in the group who had recovered from COVID-19. These included changes in volume and activity in two areas of the brain linked to storing and recalling memories and expressing emotions: the hippocampus and the amygdala.

Researchers noted these findings highlight the importance of mental health care in people who have gone through COVID-19 and other traumatic illnesses.

Longer lasting symptoms experienced by people who have recovered from COVID-19 have been termed “long COVID” and “post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).”

Brain fog is one of the most common long COVID effects. Lack of sleep, low blood sugar, and various illnesses and diseases are some of the reasons why brain fog can happen.

A person gets COVID-19. It is usually temporary but may last for some time in other cases.

“Doctors don’t know how long brain fog lasts on average, but in most cases it gets better on its own.”

Researchers do not yet know how common COVID brain fog is, either, but they estimate that up to 32 percent of people who have recovered from COVID-19 have brain fog and other brain effects as part of their long COVID symptoms.

Brain fog is a term used to describe slower or sluggish thinking and other changes to brain function. People with brain fog describe a range of symptoms.

  • attention
  • focus
  • Concentration
  • There is a recall of memory.
  • The ability to learn.
  • planning
  • following instructions
  • multitasking

Long COVID–linked brain fog is often temporary and will improve on its own. Experts believe inflammation may be a factor in brain changes in COVID.

According to a 2022 study, there’s no one way to treat or manage COVID brain fog. Instead, doctors might recommend several actions, including:

  • A diet and lifestyle plan can calm inflammation.
  • Staying active with daily exercise, no matter how low intensity, will improve blood flow to the brain and body, and reduce brain inflammation.
  • Mental exercises are used to increase thinking.
  • Spending time with friends and family is important.

Some supplements and medications can help soothe inflammation.

Researchers in a 2021 lab study looked at a natural anti-inflammatory supplement found in olive pomace oil called luteolin. They found that luteolin may help the brain recover after long COVID and other causes of brain fog, including chemotherapy treatment.

This was a lab study. There have been no human or animal studies to date. Before using any type of herb or oil supplement, you should check with your doctor.

Researchers aren’t sure why some people who recover from COVID-19 experience brain fog and others do not. But a 2022 study suggests that some illnesses or factors may increase the chance of getting long COVID symptoms like brain fog.

These risk factors include:

  • Major depressive disorder is a psychological illness.
  • There is a psychological condition called post traumatic stress disorder.
  • “Family history of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.”
  • There are strokes or heart problems.
  • moderate or high weight gain during or after having COVID-19
  • Poor nutrition.
  • There is no exercise.
  • There is a lack of social and mental stimulation.

How common is brain damage from COVID-19?

Researchers don’t yet know how common changes to the brain from COVID-19 are. However, brain health clinics report that an average of 32 percent of people who recovered from COVID-19 have experienced brain fog.

Is brain damage from COVID-19 permanent?

Brain changes from COVID-19 are temporary and can be cleared on their own.

Can even mild COVID-19 symptoms lead to brain damage?

A 2021 review of studies found that brain fog and other brain effects can happen even after people experience mild COVID-19 symptoms. Researchers don’t know exactly why this happens or how common long COVID brain symptoms are after mild illness.

Is my loss of smell and taste from COVID-19 a result of brain damage?

The loss of smell and taste during and after having COVID-19 is a very common complaint. Researchers don’t yet know exactly why this happens.

Even mild nose symptoms from COVID-19 can cause a temporary loss of smell and taste.

Doctors believe that inflammation or changes to the brain may be the cause of smell and taste loss. There is ongoing research on this symptom.

If you have had COVID-19 and are now experiencing symptoms of long COVID, you are not alone. Brain changes and symptoms of COVID-19 are common. The research is still going on.

If you have had COVID-19, you should let your doctor know about any symptoms you experience.

Ensure that you and your loved ones receive all the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccination. Getting vaccinated can help protect you from COVID-19, prevent severe symptoms like brain effects, and reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to someone else.