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The Cognitive FX Blog

Your source for everything you need to know about traumatic brain injury and concussions.

What to Do When Long COVID Causes Erectile Dysfunction

What to Do When Long COVID Causes Erectile Dysfunction

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

Many patients have heard of the most common long-term effects of COVID-19: symptoms such as breathing issues, brain fog, and constant fatigue. But there is mounting evidence that COVID-19 may also affect sexual health negatively in both men and women. Men who hadn’t previously had problems of this nature have started developing erectile dysfunction (ED) after their COVID-19 infection. 

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Eight long-haul symptoms of COVID-19

Eight long-haul symptoms of COVID-19

Image of Charlotte LoBuono
Charlotte LoBuono

Most people who get infected with the coronavirus recover within a few weeks. However, some continue to experience symptoms weeks or even months after they are infected. They have what are known as long-haul symptoms of COVID-19. As such, they are sometimes called COVID-19 long-haulers. Sometimes, even patients who had a mild or asymptomatic coronavirus infection can become long-haulers.

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How This Family of Eight Overcame Long COVID Symptoms

How This Family of Eight Overcame Long COVID Symptoms

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Alex Reis

You’d think a family of eight with the foresight to pull their children out of school earlier than the rest of the nation would be safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, seven out of the eight family members contracted the coronavirus at the very beginning of the pandemic, back when testing was frustratingly difficult to obtain, and our knowledge about the disease was limited.

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How COVID-19 Affects the Brain

How COVID-19 affects the brain

Image of Charlotte LoBuono
Charlotte LoBuono

A growing body of scientific evidence suggests some COVID-19 patients will experience neurological signs or symptoms of the infection. Genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been found in the cerebrospinal fluid of a person with COVID-19. And the virus has been found in the brain tissue of patients who died of COVID-19, which suggests it can affect the nervous system.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post-Concussion Syndrome: What It Can & Can't Do

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post-Concussion Syndrome: What It Can & Can't Do

Image of Dr. Diane Spangler Ph. D.
Dr. Diane Spangler Ph. D.

Living with the lingering symptoms of a concussion for months or even years is life-changing. Patients with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) can feel worthless, misunderstood, lonely, and frustrated. In fact, almost half of these patients develop anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Even if patients don’t develop these conditions, many still struggle with negative thoughts and emotions in their daily lives. 

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Rest and Concussions: Why Taking Brain Breaks Is Good for You

Rest and Concussions: Why Taking Brain Breaks Is Good for You

Image of Kathryn Severs BSN, RN
Kathryn Severs BSN, RN

Have you ever gotten stuck in a task, set it aside for a while, and then discovered that it somehow seemed easy when you came back to it? If so, you’ve experienced the power of strategic breaks to re-energize your brain. If you’re recovering from a traumatic brain injury, these breaks play a vital role in revitalizing your brain throughout the day. 

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Suicidal Thoughts and Post-Concussion Syndrome: What Can You Do?

Suicidal Thoughts and Post-Concussion Syndrome: What Can You Do?

Image of Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.
Dr. Alina Fong Ph. D.

Sustaining a traumatic brain injury can be a challenging experience. You probably felt angry, demoralized, helpless, and even hopeless in the days following your injury. For some people, these feelings eventually subside and disappear — but that didn't happen for you.

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How We Found a Viable Treatment for COVID-19 Long-Haulers

How We Found a Viable Treatment for COVID-19 Long-Haulers

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

Even after you've recovered from the acute symptoms of COVID-19, you might find yourself struggling with short-term memory loss, concentration issues, and other cognitive symptoms. If it's been weeks (or even months) since you had COVID-19, it can feel like there is no reason why you should still feel this way. These lingering symptoms after initial recovery from COVID-19 have become known as “long COVID” and can have a debilitating effect on your life. 

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Brain Injury and Exercise: How Cardio Intervals Help Patients Recover

Brain Injury and Exercise: How Cardio Intervals Help Patients Recover

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

If you’ve been struggling with lingering symptoms after a brain injury and even a mild jog is enough to trigger misery, then you might flinch at the idea of high-intensity interval training as a recovery method. But there is a way to exercise while keeping your symptom levels down.

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Can a Chiropractor Help with Post-Concussion Syndrome?

Can a Chiropractor Help with Post-Concussion Syndrome?

Image of Andy Clower, ATC
Andy Clower, ATC

If you have post-concussion syndrome (PCS), then you likely know how difficult it is to get an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. Many medical doctors don’t have the resources to treat PCS effectively, or they rely exclusively on pharmaceuticals that help some symptoms while making others worse. So when you find a healthcare provider who (a) actually knows what post-concussion syndrome is, and (b) claims to treat it, then it’s worth following up.

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Post-Concussion Syndrome Neck Pain: Causes & Treatment Options

Post-Concussion Syndrome Neck Pain: Causes & Treatment Options

Image of Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.
Dr. Jaycie Loewen Ph. D.

Many people have neck pain after a concussion or whiplash injury. It may show up immediately after your injury or weeks to months afterward. That pain may involve stiffness, tension, sharp pain, and pain associated with certain movements or behaviors (e.g., looking at your phone). The pain may feel deep or superficial.

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