You might think that working out with
your mask on can help you stay protected from covid-19, but really what it
does is put you at the risk of greater ailments.
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You must have seen a lot of people strolling and jogging in the park
with their masks on. Yes, masks are an important tool to prevent a covid-19
infection. So, taking this relevant precaution while working out in the open
makes sense, but it doesn’t take into account the air they’re breathing.
According to Dr Samir Garde, a pulmonologist at Global Hospital
Mumbai, when you wear a mask while working out you inhale what you are
exhaling. “First of all, there is no need to go out for a stroll or a jog right
now. Even if you do so, wearing a mask is not at all a good idea.”
“When we wear a mask we are
breathing in the carbon dioxide that we exhale which is more troublesome,” he
explains.
In fact, Dr Garde warns about
these five things that can happen if you wear a mask and exercise
“Why do we exercise? We do it to stay fit. But when you wear a mask
that’s not happening”, says Dr Gadre. In fact, wearing a mask might have these
repercussions according to him:
1. Claustrophobia
Because you breathe heavily while you are exercising, there are high
chances of you getting claustrophobic as the air supply might be restricted by
your mask.
Do you know that recently in China, two young boys died while running
laps for gym class. It was reported that both of them were wearing masks during
the physical examination, according to 7News, an Australian news outlet?
2. Lower stamina and fatigue
“Stamina all boils down to the amount of oxygen you are inhaling while
you exercise. If you are wearing a mask then, of course, your stamina will be
on the lower side as you won’t be taking in as much oxygen as you must” says Dr
Gadre.
3. Nausea
Lack of oxygen and breathlessness might also lead to nausea and
dizziness.
4. Excessive sweating and
dehydration
“When you keep on re-breathing the air you exhale it accelerates your
heart rate due to which you sweat a lot. As a result, there are high chances
that your body might dehydrate,” he says. He also suggests that staying
hydrated during the summer is crucial.
5. Unconsciousness and irritability
“Although it is not very common, you can’t eliminate the chances of
it. When you exercise with your mask on you are rebuilding the carbon dioxide
levels in your body which can lead to unconsciousness,” warns Dr Gadre.
Takeaways
“Right now it is better that you stay at home and do whatever
exercises you want in your premises. You can use your terrace instead of
stepping out,” he urges.
Yes, you can place your bets on N95 masks that are available in the
market, but Dr Gadre says that the general public doesn’t need it as much and
that it is more beneficial for medical staff.
Now that even the World Health Organisation (WHO) is saying that we
need to learn to live with covid-19, we need to be careful about the choices we
make. So, think twice before you sneak out for a run with your mask on.
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