By Geradine Ohonba
Health Editor/Columnist
As researchers continue to study the lingering effects of COVID-19, one symptom has increasingly come into focus: brain fog. Once dismissed as a vague complaint, brain fog is now recognized by health experts as a key feature of long COVID — the condition where symptoms persist for weeks or even months after the initial infection has cleared.
Patients suffering from brain fog describe a range of cognitive difficulties, including forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, slow thinking, and trouble finding words. These symptoms can significantly affect daily life, work performance, and mental well-being, even in people who had only mild or moderate cases of COVID-19.
Medical professionals say the condition is not simply psychological. “We’re seeing clear evidence that COVID-19 can cause measurable changes in brain function,” said Dr. Lara Simmons, a neurologist at the National Institute for Neurocognitive Health. “For many, it’s like their brain just doesn’t work the way it used to — and that’s frightening.”
A growing number of studies have found that COVID-19 may lead to inflammation in the brain, damage to blood vessels, or disruptions in oxygen supply — all of which could contribute to cognitive dysfunction. Some researchers are even exploring links between long COVID and a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases later in life.
Despite growing awareness, treatment options remain limited. Doctors often recommend rest, mental exercises, and lifestyle changes such as improving sleep, diet, and physical activity to help manage symptoms. However, the unpredictable nature of brain fog makes it difficult to treat universally.
Health authorities and long COVID advocacy groups are now calling for more funding and attention to support patients navigating this challenging condition. “We need to treat brain fog as seriously as any physical complication,” said Emma Lytle, a spokesperson for a long COVID support network. “Just because the damage is invisible doesn’t make it any less real.”
As the world continues to deal with the aftermath of the pandemic, brain fog stands out as a stark reminder that COVID-19’s impact goes far beyond the lungs — reaching into the very core of how we think, remember, and function.
