30 per cent of recovered Covid patients facing memory loss

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 21

September 21 is observed as World Alzheimer Day to raise awareness among people and the theme this year is ‘Know Alzheimer, Know Dementia’. Passing through the pandemic, doctors have observed that post-Covid recovery, patients are facing problems of memory loss and brain fog.

“On this World Alzheimer Day, I want to discuss how after recovering from Covid, patients are facing problems of memory loss and brain fog. The problem is seen across age groups and nearly 30 per cent of the recovered patients are facing the issue. The problem is more in elderly patients,” said Dr Monika Singla, associate professor of neurology at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

She said recovered patients are complaining of headache, memory loss, lack of attention and lack of enthusiasm. Many people have complained of feeling sluggish and unable to think properly. Some patients are also getting into depression, having mood swings and mental fatigue.

“After recovering from Covid, patients should take plenty of rest and accept body’s limits. Besides, practising meditation and yoga can also prove helpful,” Dr Monika said.

Another city based neurologist from a private hospital said patients after Covid recovery were facing issues such as memory loss.

“The best way to overcome this is to start practising attention-enhancing activities such as playing scrabble, chess and sudoku, one time in a day. Most important is to give your body rest and let it recover and heal but keep the brain working,” he said.

A Covid-recovered patient while sharing his experience said Covid had taken a toll on his confidence as now, he is less productive than earlier and had been missing deadlines at work and unable to focus on his projects. “Sometimes my mind just goes blank and find myself lost in thoughts while doing some important work or attending an important meeting,” he said.

Tips for Covid-recovered patients

• Adopt healthy lifestyle
• Give body proper rest
• Practice meditation
• Do regular and light exercise
• Take support therapy, if required
• Do attention-enhancing exercises

Early signs

• Disruptive memory loss
• Difficulty in organising thoughts
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Depression
• Misplacing objects
• Poor judgement
• Mood swings

Preventing alzheimer

• Regular exercise
• Social engagements
• Healthy diet
• Quality sleep
• Stress management
• Take alcohol in recommended limits
• Include nuts and berries in diet