Does Wearing a Face Mask Reduce Oxygen Supply
Wearing a mask during the coronavirus pandemic has led to the fact that most people began to complain of shortness of breath, dizziness, and decreased concentration. Indeed, prolonged wearing of masks can lead to oxygen starvation which can be dangerous.
Hypoxia caused by prolonged wearing of masks is especially dangerous for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. After all, oxygen for the heart is necessary. With a lack of it, the heart will not be able to function normally. Every time the heart pushes blood, the heart muscle requires oxygen. And if its amount is insufficient, the entire cardiovascular system will malfunction.
Never Remove a Mask
What to do in this situation? Should we not wear a mask at all? This is not a way out of the situation. Removing the mask will lead to an increase in the chances of COVID-19 infection. As much as people are indignant, but the mask mode and self-isolation, helped to reduce the spread of coronavirus infection.
It is worth noting that even completely healthy people complain of poor oxygen supply from wearing masks. The heart can only sympathize but wearing it is important. After all, we have to fight this pandemic with all precautions.
Hypoxia Does Not Appear Immediately
It is worth paying attention to the fact that hypoxia does not appear immediately. It occurs as a result of the prolonged wearing of masks. For example, by their profession, surgeons need to wear masks throughout their lives while they work.
Scientists have identified that an increase in carbon dioxide in the blood can lead to compensatory hyperventilation, which can affect the outcome of the operation. Putting on a mask when entering a store, hospital, pharmacy, etc. where you have to stay for 2-3 hours will not lead to hypoxia development.
However, with people who, by their profession, spend their entire working day in a mask, things are completely different. They really start to run out of the air, and hypoxia occurs.
How To Avoid Oxygen Starving?
Here are a few tips to avoid oxygen starvation:
1- Daily Walk In The Fresh Air
Spend more time on the lawn. Especially, after a day spent wearing a mask. For walks, choose places with a lot of greenery. These can be parks, forests, or recreation in a country house outside the city.
2- Give up on Cigarettes
If you still smoke e-cigarettes, it’s time to quit this addiction. Harmful substance from one pound e-liquids binds to red blood cells and leads to oxygen starvation. Smoking is one of the main factors in the development of hypoxia.
3- Walk More
Move around more. Jogging or just walking naturally oxygenates the blood, speeds up metabolism, and stabilizes blood pressure. If possible, refuse to travel by transport. Just try to walk more.
4- Replace Your Mask
Replace your medical masks and respirators with regular hand-sewn gauze masks. They breathe much easier in them, as they let in more oxygen. Moreover, they, like medical masks, delay the spread of the virus when sneezing and coughing.
5- Ventilate the Room
In closed rooms, the oxygen level is significantly reduced, which further leads to hypoxia development. It is especially important to ventilate the room before going to bed to have no feeling of stuffiness and dryness.
6- Pay Attention To Your Diet
Your diet should contain more vegetables and fruits, more red meats, and seafood. Of course, avoid eating junk food. And don’t forget about water. It would be best if you drank enough of it.
7- Breathing Exercises
Special exercises for shallow and deep breathing can increase the gas exchange rate and reduce the possibility of developing hypoxia.
8- Herbal Tea
Herbal teas, which have antioxidant properties, will help reduce the symptoms of oxygen starvation. These are decoctions made from hawthorn flowers and fruits, which will also improve your health.
Let’s Sum Up
Wearing a mask only for a few hours daily will not cause any problem in oxygen supply. However, if you have to visit outside daily in this pandemic situation, you might be facing this issue. But don’t worry; by following the mentioned tips, you can improve the supply of oxygen for yourself.