All you need to know about working out with a mask on

 

Image source: fox47news.com

Wearing a mask when in public or when with individuals from different households reduces a person’s chances of getting infected with the COVID-19 virus or infecting others when they unknowingly carry it. As gyms and parks reopen, more and more people are exercising outside of their homes. Dr. Lisa M. Cannon walks her readers through on exercising with a mask on. 

In general, exercising with a mask on is safe. Long before the pandemic hit the world, many sports brands have tried to introduce face masks that help improve an athlete’s performance. However, the situation calls for the kind of mask that protects one from respiratory droplets and airborne particles. A person with underlying respiratory health issues must consider working out in the comfort of their own home so they won’t need to wear a mask while exercising. 

Image source: glamour.com

Unlike normal breathing, exercising with a mask or face cover reduces the oxygen flow into the lungs. It makes training difficult as there is less oxygen inhaled. Therefore, less oxygen flowing through the bloodstream and muscles. Athletes with incredible strength and endurance are not exempt from feeling fatigued much faster when wearing a face cover. 

According to Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, one should be mindful about their breathing when working out with a mask on. It is advised to take breathing breaks often, but in safe places. When a person feels dizzy, fatigued, and out-of-balance during a workout, it is advised that they stop immediately. While the body will eventually adapt to the new normal, it’s best to not overdo it.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon earned her medical degree from New York College of Medicine and her fellowship in pulmonary disease, critical care, and sleep medicine from Mount Sinai Hospital. She is a pulmonologist with more than 15 years of experience in her field. Visit this page to know more about Dr. Lisa M. Cannon.

How sleep can be the deciding factor on weight loss success

 

Individuals who set out on a weight loss journey often assume that a gym membership would do the job. Without a proper diet and enough sleep, gym-goers could be setting themselves up for defeat. Dr. Lisa M. Cannon shares on this blog how sleep can influence one’s weight loss journey. 

Image source: cdc.gov

People on the road to weight loss must acknowledge early in the game that lack of sleep is the main hindrance to their objective. Sleep loss leads to increased appetite. This is due to the body producing more ghrelin, a hormone released in the stomach signaling hunger in the brain, and less leptin, the hormone suppressing hunger and signaling fullness. Sleep deprivation changes the way one’s brain operates. Lack of sleep potentially decreases activity in the frontal lobe, the part of the brain essential for self-control and decision-making. 

Image source: helpguide.org

Individuals who get enough sleep consume fewer calories compared to those who sleep for a short period. People who exercise regularly and include weightlifting in their routine develop their muscles. Lean muscles are known to burn fat, which improves resting metabolism. Lack of sleep decreases muscle mass, which could lower one’s resting metabolic rate.

According to Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, sleep deprivation is to be blamed for daytime fatigue. Individuals who do not prioritize sleep are more likely to want to skip exercise as they could lose motivation to do anything physical. Athletic performance is improved in those who get more sleep. A 10-hour sleep each night for a few weeks can alter an athlete’s performance, improving their reaction time, accuracy, and speed.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon specializes in critical care, sleep medicine, and pulmonary diseases. A board-certified physician, she received her medical degree from New York College of Medicine and her fellowship in pulmonary disease, critical care, and sleep medicine from Mount Sinai Hospital. Head over to this page for more updates.

Effects of smoking on exercise and physical fitness

 

It has long been established that cigarette smoking puts one at risk of many health problems. Practiced by more than one billion people in the world, tobacco smoking is a popular attachment in the society. Some smokers who desire to be fit and healthy incorporate exercise in their daily routine. How can smoking affect physical fitness? 

Image source: tobaccofreelife.org

 

Nicotine and carbon monoxide are two elements that thicken the blood and cause the arteries to narrow. Blood flow is decreased when arteries become narrow, which then would prevent the blood from flowing to the heart, organs, and muscles. This sensation makes exercising harder than usual, says Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, as blood flow aids in boosting the oxygen supply to the muscles.

A person’s resting heart rate dictates the number of beats per minute their heart generates when they are inactive. A smoker’s heart has to work extra in order to produce beats enough to keep the body going. During exercise, their heart rate could hit dangerous levels as the activity could be too strenuous for the heart. Smokers have less endurance, improper physical performance, and increased risk of complications and injuries. 

Image source: onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com

According to Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, it would be best to quit smoking as early as possible or to not get into the habit at all. An individual’s physical fitness is greatly affected by smoking in many ways including lessened muscular strength and flexibility; reduced benefit from physical training; and increased chances of experiencing shortness of breath. Cigarette smoking also prevents proper healing and recovery of the body which is essential in physical fitness.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon specializes in critical care, sleep medicine, and pulmonary medicine. She is a board-certified physician with a private practice in New Jersey. To read more from Dr. Lisa M. Cannon, head over to this page.

Increase lung capacity in five ways

Image source: besthealthmag.ca

Individuals who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary fibrosis often have difficulty in breathing. The fear of experiencing a flare-up may hinder them from living their best lives. In this blog, Dr. Lisa M. Cannon shares a few tips to increase lung capacity.

Proper exercise helps in increasing lung capacity. While it may seem counterintuitive to work out with COPD, getting the muscles in shape can improve breathing. Toned and strong muscles use energy efficiently. Breathing exercises such as pursed-lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing help improve the use of proper muscles when breathing.

Keep the house clean. The air quality at home must be a priority, as it can be more polluted than the air outside. Houses and offices should be cleaned regularly to reduce allergens inside.

Image source: zyto.com

Eat smaller meals throughout the day. Doing this can lessen the chances of experiencing COPD symptoms, as eating large meals at a time can cause one’s stomach to bloat, thus pressing the lungs, keeping them from expanding to the fullest, and resulting in shortness of breath. When medical professionals say that smoking kills, we better believe it. Also, quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke. Such environmental irritants make the lungs weak.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon encourages individuals to get vaccinations for flu and pneumonia to help avoid contracting lung infections. In keeping the lungs healthy, one must be proactive; prevention is always better than cure. Improved breathing can help one experience better overall health.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon is a board-certified specialist in pulmonary disease, critical care, and internal medicine. To continue giving her patients the best service, she completed her Master’s in Public Health from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service. Subscribe to this blog for similar reads.

How choosing the time to exercise affects overall wellness and sleep

Image source: blueprintfitnessatlanta.com

Looking at health and wellness from all angles, doctor and sleep expert Dr. Lisa M. Cannon has researched the various factors affecting a person’s sleep. To say that many things are affecting the quality and duration of sleep is an understatement.

For this blog, Dr. Lisa M. Cannon wishes to address exercise, specifically the time of day people work out, in relation to its effect on a person’s overall wellness and sleep.

A rather hot topic in fitness circles, the time a person works out has been studied as much as anything else in the universe of exercise. With factors such as personal goals and daily schedules, individuals have had their own say at which time is best.

Typically, people who live extremely active lifestyles with day jobs love working out in the morning, explaining that doing so gives them the energy to tide them over the day. A plus is that working out in the mornings helps people avoid huge crowds. On the other hand, people who don’t exactly love mornings work out at the end of their workday (late afternoon or evening), saying that it’s a great way to relieve themselves of the stresses of the day.

Image source: greatist.com 

In the context of sleep, there are two beliefs. Morning workouts use up a person’s energy enough to tire them by the end of the day, creating a feeling for a good night’s rest. Exercising at the end of the day, however, may help a person burn more fat and sleep better.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon believes that while both times are good for one’s overall health, some people who work out at night find it harder to sleep due to the adrenalin spike, she adds.

Dr. Lisa M. Cannon graduated from New York Medical College in 1991 and completed her pulmonary fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital. She was affiliated with Pascack Valley Hospital and the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. Dr. Cannon has since focused on her own private practice in New Jersey. For more articles like this, visit this blog.

The foundations of good sleep during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of drastic bodily changes, including leg cramps, nausea, heartburn, and a greater likelihood of having sleep disturbances.  Changes in sleep patterns can be caused by stress and anxiety, hormonal fluctuations, as well as the physical discomfort of childbearing.  But it’s not entirely impossible to enjoy a good night’s sleep while pregnant – here are tips to follow.

Image source: Pixabay.com       

Watch what you eat and drink
Cut down on caffeine-containing food and drinks.  Try to avoid heavy meals and spicy food before bedtime, as chili and acidic foods can cause indigestion and heartburn.  If you have heartburn, eat lighter meals and consume your last meal for the day two to three hours before heading to bed.  Drink plenty of fluids during the day, but cut down on it before bedtime to reduce nighttime urination.

Image source: Pixabay.com     

Keep moving
Improve circulation and overall health by exercising regularly.  But don’t do it late in the day, as exercise releases adrenaline, which can keep you awake throughout the night.

Use extra pillow
Pillows can be useful for supporting the tummy and back.  Place a pillow between the legs, too, to help support the lower back and make sleeping on your side easier.  Some ideal types are the wedge-shaped pillow and the full-length body pillow.

Manage stress
While worrying certainly won’t help, talking about your issues will.  Find a friend, family member, or professional who can listen and help if there are recurring sources of worry or feeling upset in your life, especially during pregnancy.

Get medical help
Your ob-gyne or a sleep specialist can outline the best steps to take if insomnia persists and even worsens during pregnancy.


 Dr. Lisa M. Cannon is a New Jersey-based physician.  She earned her degree in medicine from New York City College and her fellowship in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine from the renowned Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.  Learn more about her practice on this website.