How does COVID-19 affect the Human Brain?

According to a study, 1 in 3 individuals suffering from severe COVID-19 has had an impact on their brain. We should turn our attention to analyzing the impacts of COVID-19 on the human brain as it will help us get a deep understanding of the disease, spread awareness, and take better care of individuals who might be infected by the COVID-19 virus.

What are the neurological conditions caused by COVID-19?

Patients with COVID-19 can suffer from several neurological conditions. Some of the significant impacts of COVID-19 on the human brain are:

● Confusion

● Headaches

● Behavioral change

● Impact on mental health and well-being

● Seizures

● Loss of the sense of smell and taste

● Unconsciousness incidents

● Guillain-Barre syndrome

The impact of COVID-19 on the brain can lead to mild as well as severe complications. While headaches and behavioral changes might be temporary and only occur as short incidents, the other impacts are far more serious.

Impact on the individual’s mental health can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, which can lead to unfortunate outcomes. Similarly, Guillain-Barre can lead to a rapid onset of muscle weakness that can hamper the individual’s mobility. It can also lead to serious issues such as paralysis, seizures, and respiratory failure. This can result in the death of an individual.

How does COVID-19 impact the brain?

Researchers have concluded that there are four major ways in which COVID-19 impacts the brain. They are:

1. Psychological stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation

Fighting COVID-19 or seeing someone close battle the disease can induce stress, take a toll on mental health, and lead to stress disorder. There are other factors such as job loss, economic issues, and social isolation brought on about COVID-19, too, which can contribute to adding to psychological stress.

Individuals may show symptoms such as burnouts, anxiety and panic attacks, delirium, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse due to the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic situation , though they may not have themselves directly contracted COVID -19 . Similarly, frontline healthcare professionals may experience Post traumatic stress disorder due to the severity and the unprecedented scale of the disease.

Psychiatric evaluation is necessary to diagnose and treat such individuals showcasing an imbalance in mental health due to the COVID-19 crisis. The correct treatment method, such as prescribing antidepressants or simple counseling, can help alleviate mental health issues caused by COVID-19. Apollo Hospitals Group has a team of renowned, reputed mental health care professionals who can help solve psychological issues.

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2. Effect of COVID-19 Infection on the brain

The COVID-19 virus can enter the body through the nose or mouth and find its way into the human brain. It can then cause a severe and sudden infection in the brain, leading to complications. There have been cases reported in China and Japan, where the virus’s genetic material was found in the spinal fluid. Similarly, a case was reported in Florida, where the viral particles were found in the brain cell of the individual.

It is also well documented that COVID-19 infection leads to a loss of sense of smell and taste. This happens as the virus blocks the communication about the olfactory and taste perceptions between the sense organs and the brain. Hence, our brain cannot determine the taste or the smell of various substances.

3. Immunity overdrive

The virus can trick the brain and other organs to go into an overdrive and overkill mode that can turn more harmful than the virus itself. The immune system in order to defend against the virus can work overtime and can end up doing more harm than good to your body, including damaging vital organs such as the brain.

4. Blood clotting

The fourth way in which the COVID-19 virus can affect the brain is with its tendency to affect the blood clotting process, which can lead to a stroke. Blood clots are more likely

to appear in individuals suffering from COVID-19 than regular individuals. The blood clots can form in vital organs such as the lungs and cause a cut-off of the brain’s blood supply. This can lead to a stroke, which can cause severe brain damage and may also result in the person’s death.

Research regarding the effects of COVID-19 on the brain is still ongoing, and medical professionals are discovering new information regularly. However, with the current information we have, we surely can help avert serious situations caused by the COVID-19 virus by keeping ourselves well-informed.

The bottom line

If you or any loved ones suffer from any neurological issues related to COVID-19 and want professional guidance, you can consult a medical health professional. You can always trust our experienced doctors at Apollo Hospitals Group for your medical consultation needs.

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