Are you finding it difficult to wear your mask?
The most common problems faced with wearing mask are:
- You immediately feel you need more air
- Breathing becomes hard for you
- You feel panicky or may even feel having headache
- You feel breathless
- You start breathing from your mouth to get more air in.
Either you have felt any of the above mentioned difficulties with
wearing your mask, or at least you have
heard them from some of your loved ones.
There are some mis concepts related to wearing the mask.
Fortunately, they are wrong.
What you need to know about mask:
- Research shows that your masks do not limit your oxygen intake.
- &, your mask also does not build up carbon dioxide in your body.
Now, the question arises is this:
Then, why are you having these problems with your mask?
- The sensation of the need for more oxygen is
just the sensation.
- Usually your brain is used to have breath that is
a bit cooler, easier to take and having less resistance.
- However, when you wear mask, your brain finds
your breath to be warmer, and a bit difficult to take with
some sort of resistance.
- This sensation is unfamiliar for your brain which
makes your brain uncomfortable. That is the reason for
feeling of panic, headache & anxiety on wearing your mask.
- As a result, you start pulling in more air than your body
actually needs. It is called hyperventilation or overbreathing.
- When you over breath, you actually lose more carbon dioxide.
This leads to bronchospasm- the tightness you feel during
the asthma attack as well as some stress response and increased heart rate.
What can you do about it?
- Focus on exhalation (breathing out) than inhalation (breathing in).
- Consciously breath through your nose.
- This means, no mouth breathing while wearing your mask.
- Consciously try to breath to your belly than just keeping your breathing to your chest.
- Last but not the least, practice pranayama regularly.
If you are feeling breathless, don’t ignore it.
Check your oxygen level with pulseoxymeter.
Consult your doctor whenever in doubt.
That’s all for today.
See you next week with another Tuesday Tip.
Till then…. Take care…..
Providing simple solutions for the complexities of life-
Dr Bhumita Makwana
Your Dietitian & Homoeopathic Physician
