Feeling breathless? Take a ‘mask break safely’
DOCTORS’ CAUTION TARGETS THOSE WITH HEART AND RESPIRATORY AILMENTS
While face masks remain our best line of defence against Covid-19, health care specialists advise those with underlying heart conditions and respiratory disorders who are observing the fast and are in a labour-intensive industry to exercise special precautions to avoid any respiratory distress.
This year, in many countries, the hours of fasting during Ramadan are very long (nearly 12-14 hours). Precautionary measures are essential to be followed by all those who are in jobs that require them to wear masks for long hours such as bus and taxi drivers, those manning public kiosks such as booking windows and those working in the hospitality and health care sectors.
Drop in air intake
Elaborating on what happens in cases where people with underlying health conditions wear masks for a long time while fasting, Dr Atul Aundhekar, CEO of Avivo Health Care Group, had a word of caution: “With long hours of fasting, there is obviously dehydration and the lung lining tends to dry up. There is a reduction in the Tidal Volume. Tidal Volume is the amount of air that moves inside our lungs with each respiratory cycle. Therefore, when the mouth is dry — and an individual may have a double or single mask and may be wearing a face shield or other articles of PPE — his breathing is laboured. Combined with thermal strain (if the ambient temperature is high), especially for those with underlying comorbidities, it can trigger respiratory distress.”
Besides constriction in the volume of oxygen going in or extra effort required to breathe deeply, those wearing double masks may find the fabric being too damp or moist after prolonged use. In such cases, the fibres can be congealed with sweat and saliva, further obstructing the flow of oxygen, explained Dr Sukhant Bagdia, specialist pulmonologist at NMC Royal Hospital, Dubai.
Precautions
Take a couple of mask breaks, suggested Dr Aundhekar. The best way to overcome the problem of beleaguered breathing is for people to take mask breaks. “People with underlying conditions need to keep a pulse oximeter with them and check their oxygen saturation. If they see it falling below 96, they need to go to a secluded area, take off the mask and breathe deeply. In fact, they need to exhale with more effort. During exhalation, the coronary arteries are filled with blood that improves blood circulation to the heart. Besides inhaling and exhaling is an autonomous activity. Therefore, when one exhales with force, the next reflex is to inhale with force and breathe in more oxygen. Individuals who experience any low saturation, can do this deep inhale and exhale for two-four minutes, then get their mask back on and resume work,” explained Dr Aundhekar
Carry spare masks
If the damp masks are posing an impediment to breathing, people are advised to carry a few spare masks and replace the used ones with fresh, dry ones.
How rehydration helps
Dr Bagdia also pointed out that people ought to be mindful about proper fluid replenishment to avoid respiratory distress.
He said: “During long hours of fasting, when people get dehydrated, it is very important to get fluid replenishment. During iftar and suhour meals, people must take a lot of aqueous fruit and vegetables and sip water throughout the non-fasting hours. This will not only rehydrate the whole body and replenish the electrolyte balance, but it will moisturise the throat and lung lining and greatly assist in the breathing process, restoring Tidal Volume.”