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Pay close attention to your breathing
Good question! In this section PlusOnline looks for answers to questions we receive from visitors. This time: can you get an oxygen deficiency by wearing a mouth cap?
Wearing a face mask is now mandatory in many countries. Not yet in the Netherlands. Except on public transport. However, more and more places are being asked to put on a mouth cap. Not everyone likes to do this, because they get short of breath and think they get an oxygen deficiency. But is this true? Can face masks cause oxygen deficiency?
Wearing a mouth mask can indeed be uncomfortable and give a feeling of tightness, but if used properly it cannot lead to an oxygen deficiency. The non-medical masks are air permeable and do not close enough to cause health problems. It can feel warm and therefore you can get a feeling of shortness of breath, but not a lack of oxygen.
Breathing
It is important to pay close attention to your breathing when wearing a mouth cap. By wrong exhalation, you can go hyperventilate. To prevent shortness of breath, it is best to wear a mouth cap made of a thin, but dense fabric. Also practice wearing a mouth cap at home. And also make sure that you are on time and do not have to run for the train or bus, for example. Then you are already short of breath before you put on the mouth cap.
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