A British Columbia company is now offering a rehabilitation program for people suffering from brain fog due to a long COVID. There is a list of over 200 symptoms of long COVID to look out for, including long lasting cognitive problems.

ABI Wellness in Langley, BC uses a system they call the Brain Enhance and Recovery System (BEARS) to support cognitive abilities. They use this as a method for some symptoms associated with long COVID.

Not only is it used to treat long-standing COVID, but also for stroke, PTSD, and brain injuries like concussions.

What is Long-COVID?

Government of Canada website designates Long COVID as a post-COVID-19 condition. It said people have long had COVID if they “continue to show symptoms of COVID-19 weeks or months after their initial recovery.”

Shaun Porter, ABI Wellness’ chief operating officer, told Narcity in an email that there were many symptoms of the disease. He also indicated that it can even affect people who have had “very mild” cases of COVID-19.

Symptoms of a long COVID

According to Porter, studies have shown that the disease is associated with over 200 different symptoms and can affect organs such as the heart, lungs and brain.

However, among the many symptoms, the most common are “fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, joint pain, chest pain and cognitive problems,” Porter added.

ABI Wellness notes that people often have a mix of symptoms and that cognitive symptoms affect “a large majority of long COVID patients.”

Cognitive symptoms range from brain fog and forgetfulness to fatigue and difficulty concentrating. These, in turn, can affect the “ability to work, go to school, maintain relationships, or do things independently,” Porter said.

Porter said that while brain fog is a common symptom, it “is dangerous language and downplays the severity of this population’s lived experience.”

“We have to start calling it what it is, which is a brain injury,” he added.

At the moment, they’re not sure how long symptoms can last, but Porter said some people continue to suffer for up to two years after contracting COVID-19 – while others recover in a short time.

Also, there is currently no cure for long COVID and they are unaware of the long-term effects.

rehabilitation

ABI Wellness treats people in person and virtually with the Brain Enhance and Recovery System. The program uses exercises to help with brain neuroplasticity.

Porter said that “this allows the brain to rewire itself and, through the process, regain cognitive function that was impaired by the injury or illness.”

This in turn can be used to alleviate some of the cognitive symptoms of a long COVID.