Two British Columbia-based companies are offering a free three-month rehabilitation program for British Colombians suffering from brain fog as a result of their long COVID.
According to ABI Wellness in Langley, three out of 10 cases of COVID-19 become long-term, and 75 percent involve cognitive and neurological symptoms such as brain fog. Brain fog can slow down a person’s processing speed, memory, and recollection, which affects a person’s ability to perform daily tasks.
Prolonged COVID can also lead to neuroinflammation, microhemorrhage, signs of oxygen deprivation and cell death, added Sean Porter, a neurologist and chief operating officer at ABI Wellness.
“Research shows that long-term COVID is actually a brain injury and physiologically causes many similar problems that people who have had concussions and strokes go through,” he told Global News.
Read more: John Torrey suspends Toronto’s state of emergency for COVID-19
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In previous years, ABI Wellness has specialized in supporting patients with impaired cognitive function due to strokes, concussions or other brain injuries and diseases. However, when the pandemic began, Porter said they recognized a “pattern” in the symptoms of these patients and those recovering from COVID-19.
They partnered with a Vancouver-based clinic, Eaton Cognitive Health Optimization Systems (ECHOS), to provide a free virtual cognitive learning program. It aims to deal with symptoms including fatigue, poor concentration, lack of mental clarity, confusion, memory problems and executive function.
“These exercises specifically target key neural networks that are affected,” Porter said. “We really want to listen to the patients. We want to hear from them and make sure that this program meets their needs. “
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According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, more than 100 different symptoms have been reported in connection with prolonged COVID. Relatively little is known about the condition, also known as COVID-19, including how to diagnose it.
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The Public Health Agency and Statistics Canada have launched a study to find out how often people experience lasting effects after an infection for which data are scarce.
“It’s really quite tragic, the lack of awareness about the long COVID, really from the whole system,” Porter said. “Initially, we were – rightly – focused on keeping people alive and getting vaccines and reducing the number of cases.
“At the same time, we missed the ball of the long COVID, people who did not recover.
Read more: Public Health Agency tries to find out how many Canadians have been struggling for a long time COVID
The consequences of long-term treatment with COVID can be serious, Porter added.
“In terms of the workforce, in terms of the whole structure of society – this will be really seriously affected in terms of the long COVID, and now we need solutions to help these people.
All BC residents who have had COVID-19 and are experiencing cognitive symptoms are eligible to participate. Anyone wishing to participate can call 1-888-803-2467 for more information.
– With files from The Canadian Press
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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