Senior physician Marianne Aanerud at Haukeland says NRK that many patients have not understood how sick they are. For example, they may deny that they are heavy-breathing, despite measurements showing that they have severe oxygen deficiency.
– One patient who was to receive respiratory treatment, said he only had to watch the finished TV program first. Patients receiving respiratory therapy are very ill and usually very scared, says Aanerud.
Other patients have had trouble remembering their social security number and how to use their cell phone, according to the superior.
In the pandemic record in Haukeland, the phenomenon has been named “covid-brain”.
The state of confusion is called delirium, and can occur in both young and elderly. The condition is also common in other infectious diseases.
Aanerud says they have followed up patients after they have been discharged. Then there are several who have neither remembered the doctors nor things that happened while they were hospitalized.
– They have a clear memory loss. When we talk about it, they are surprised, but most have become themselves again, she says.
(© NTB)
