Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Sept 29, 2024 0:48:44 GMT
New research from UK finds brain changes in long-COVID patients similar to those with Alzheimer’s - Published Sept 26, 2024
Weird how none of the suggestions for avoiding long covid in articles like this one never include trying to avoid catching covid in the first place.
by: Jace O'Barto
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — More than 4 years after COVID-19 turned the world upside down, researchers are learning new information about the lasting effects of the virus with similar brain function seen in people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
“You have a case where you have a viral infection that’s usually associated with respiratory symptoms is also starting to cause cognitive symptoms in some people,” said Dr. Chris Norris, Professor of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences at UK College of Medicine.
Sniffles, a cough, or even headaches are some of the lingering symptoms people experience after getting over COVID-19, but the research conducted by the UK College of Medicine is finding more severe effects in some cases.
“Common complaints are fatigue and, memory loss; could not focus; have trouble making decisions, and all of these are very similar to the early Dementia patients,” Dr. Yang Jiang, professor of behavioral science.
Also on the research team is Dr. Bob Sompol, assistant professor of pharmacology and nutritional sciences.
The researchers said like with any illness; these symptoms vary case by case.
“Some people do not experience long-COVID after being infected the first, second, and third time. But then, I have patients who wrote to me and they thought the third time something happened to them and they were never the same again,” Jiang said.
With debates around the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, these researchers said it actually improves long-term COVID-19 symptoms.
They said people should prioritize their health and that these new findings shouldn’t make anyone panic, or cause great worry about their future brain health, but symptoms should not be ignored.
“Be aware that there may be some cognitive effects. And if you’re experiencing brain fog, you know, it’s okay to talk to your doctor about that,” Norris said.
As a tip for living a healthy life after having COVID, Jiang adds, “Eat right, sleep well, and exercise. Use your brain and all of these things. We think that are modifiable factors to help cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, are likely to help and reduce long-COVID symptoms.”
Weird how none of the suggestions for avoiding long covid in articles like this one never include trying to avoid catching covid in the first place.
by: Jace O'Barto
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — More than 4 years after COVID-19 turned the world upside down, researchers are learning new information about the lasting effects of the virus with similar brain function seen in people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
“You have a case where you have a viral infection that’s usually associated with respiratory symptoms is also starting to cause cognitive symptoms in some people,” said Dr. Chris Norris, Professor of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences at UK College of Medicine.
Sniffles, a cough, or even headaches are some of the lingering symptoms people experience after getting over COVID-19, but the research conducted by the UK College of Medicine is finding more severe effects in some cases.
“Common complaints are fatigue and, memory loss; could not focus; have trouble making decisions, and all of these are very similar to the early Dementia patients,” Dr. Yang Jiang, professor of behavioral science.
Also on the research team is Dr. Bob Sompol, assistant professor of pharmacology and nutritional sciences.
The researchers said like with any illness; these symptoms vary case by case.
“Some people do not experience long-COVID after being infected the first, second, and third time. But then, I have patients who wrote to me and they thought the third time something happened to them and they were never the same again,” Jiang said.
With debates around the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, these researchers said it actually improves long-term COVID-19 symptoms.
They said people should prioritize their health and that these new findings shouldn’t make anyone panic, or cause great worry about their future brain health, but symptoms should not be ignored.
“Be aware that there may be some cognitive effects. And if you’re experiencing brain fog, you know, it’s okay to talk to your doctor about that,” Norris said.
As a tip for living a healthy life after having COVID, Jiang adds, “Eat right, sleep well, and exercise. Use your brain and all of these things. We think that are modifiable factors to help cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, are likely to help and reduce long-COVID symptoms.”