Effec of masks on oxygen levels

I am for wearing masks in public to protect ourselves and other from Covid-19, but I am against the way a lot of people are putting down those who say they find wearing them uncomfortable.

I wear a mask when around people, even thought it causes me to feel lightheaded. I have asthma, narrow nasal passages. I might have reduced lung function from growing up with smokers, and when I had severe asthma for several years. Telling me that I should have no discomfort because somebody on Youtube doesn't is not rational, and is mean. People are different, and what might not be a problem for a fairly healthy person doesn't mean the same will be true for someone who is already getting insufficient oxygen, or is on the edge of doing so, even w/o a mask. Considering that some people can't get enough oxygen w/o using an oxygen tank, to say that masks will have no effect on anybody does not compute.

http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/neuro/v19n2/3.pdf



A. Beder; *Ü. Büyükkoçak; **H. Sabuncuoğlu; ***Z.A. Keskil and ****S. KeskilBaşkent University. Faculty of Health Sciences. Department of Nursing and Health Services. Ankara, Turkey; *Kirikkale University. Faculty of Medicine. Departments of Anaesthesiology and Pharmacology***. Kirikkale. Turkey. **Ufuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery. Ankara, Turkey. ****Bayindir Medical Center, Department of Neurosurgery. Ankara. Turkey.

2008 19

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18500410/

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Results. Our study revealed a decrease in the oxygen saturation of arterial pulsations (SpO2) and a slight increase in pulse rates compared to preoperative values in all surgeon groups. The decrease was more promi-nent in the surgeons aged over 35.

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https://www.sciencealert.com/exercising-intensely-with-a-face-mask-could-be-dangerous

Intense Exercise With a Face Mask on Could Be Dangerous. Here's Why


LINDSAY BOTTOMS, THE CONVERSATION
16 JUNE 2020

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When playing sport, breathing is faster and harder than at rest, which increases the risk of passing the disease on. As a result, premier league football is considering introducing face masks. Others may follow suit.

Yet a mask makes it harder to inhale the quantity of air needed to perform at the highest levels. We know that wearing a surgical mask can increase the resistance to airflow. Exercise invariably leads to faster and harder breaths, so wearing a mask during exercise places a further strain on airflow.

At low to moderate-intensity exercise, effort will feel slightly harder than normal with a mask, but you can still walk comfortably. The challenge appears to be more during heavy exercise (say, rugby or football) taking in air at rates of about 40-100 litres per minute.

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https://www.cnet.com/health/should-you-exercise-with-a-face-mask-during-coronavirus/

How to exercise with a face mask -- and what not to do


Amanda Capritto
July 17, 2020 5:00 a.m. PT

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Is it safe to exercise with a face mask on?

Generally, yes, it's safe for most people to exercise while wearing a face mask, Grayson Wickham, a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist at Movement Vault, tells CNET.

"Most people can perform every and all exercises with a face mask on," Wickham says. "You will want to monitor how you're feeling while exercising and watch out for specific symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, numbness or tingling and shortness of breath."

Wickham says people who have underlying cardiovascular or respiratory conditions should take caution when exercising with a face mask on. The severity of their condition will dictate whether or not it's appropriate for them to exercise with a face mask on, Wickham says.

"Someone that has an underlying respiratory condition that is on the more severe side will want to exercise indoors without a face mask," he says, to ensure safety for themselves and others.

Examples of such conditions include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and any other conditions that affect the heart or lungs. If you have a cardiovascular or respiratory condition, it's a good idea to ask your doctor about exercising with a face mask before attempting to do it. If you can't go see your doctor right now, try calling or scheduling a telemedicine visit.

Also, people who are new to exercising or haven't exercised in a long time should pay extra attention if exercising while wearing a face mask. Monitor the intensity of your workout and keep it on the low-to-moderate side to avoid symptoms like dizziness and fainting, Wickham says.

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https://www.simplemost.com/does-wearing-face-masks-limit-oxygen-intake/

Experts Weigh In On Whether Wearing Face Masks Limits Your Oxygen Intake

Marie Rossiter
~ July 13, 2020

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The CDC specifically recommends that everyone ages 2 and up should “wear cloth face coverings in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household.” In its recommendation, the CDC cites 19 different scientific studies that provide evidence of how wearing cloth face masks can reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

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There are several articles online that claim wearing a face mask can expose asthmatics to hypoxia, which is oxygen deprivation at the tissue level of the body. Another, less serious condition known as hypoxemia is also possible. This is when someone experiences low oxygen in their blood. Symptoms of hypoxemia include headaches, a fast heart rate, wheezing, confusion and coughing according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Meanwhile, Professor Gregory Erhabor, the founder of the Asthma and Chest Foundation, told Healthwise that he believes wearing a face mask can be risky for certain populations with lung diseases, such as asthma.

“If asthmatics who have moderate-to-severe asthma put on masks,” he said, “it may result in hypoxia, with subsequent development of difficulty in breathing.”

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With all of these alleged health risks, it can be easy to be alarmed. But it’s important to know that many medical experts and scientific studies show that cloth face masks do not reduce oxygen intake for the majority of people.

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If you have a chronic lung condition, it is always wise to consult your doctor regarding your risk for contracting COVID-19, and to solicit their advice regarding face coverings. But, for most of us, putting on that cloth face mask can help prevent the spread of the virus until a vaccine is discovered.