Dementia symptoms found in some COVID-19 patients after recovery
BANGKOK — Thailand’s Department of Medicine has found symptoms of dementia in some Covid-19 patients after they have been cured.
Somsak Ankasil, director-general of the Department of Medical Services, revealed that some patients were showing dementia symptoms 1-6 months after being infected with Covid-19.
This is a condition in which brain function deteriorates, mostly in the ability to focus and concentrate, decision-making, planning and short-term memory skills.
The patient will have a feeling of brain fog, dullness, lightheadedness and being unable to concentrate on one thing, which affects daily activities, work or social activities and can cause long-term harm.
The risk factor is higher for patients having pre-existing neurological and brain diseases such as stroke, especially the elderly with multiple co-morbidities.
After an acute infection with Covid-19, patients develop severe symptoms. This causes a lack of oxygen. As a result, patients have depression and anxiety with neurological symptoms and dementia. The symptoms can improve on their own over time, he said.
“Take good care of yourself, and maintain good health: eat healthy, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, do activities that help stimulate the brain — practice critical thinking, meditation, or a relaxing hobby. These will help the brain and nervous system to recover and return to normal faster and better,” Somsak said.
RELATED STORIES
Caring for Lola Linda at home: Dementia amid the COVID-19 pandemic
A nurse on lockdown in a dementia village
What are the potential long-term effects of having COVID-19?
‘Long COVID’ from Omicron coronavirus variant possible, say experts
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
