Is N95 face mask linked to dizziness and headache?

Abstract

Objectives During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals are recommended to use PPE to prevent the transmission of disease. Healthcare workers who use N95 FFR, which has an important place, experience complaints such as headache and dizziness. In this study, we plan to find the cause of these complaints and aim to clarify whether they are associated with the use of N95 mask. Method Healthcare workers first put on a surgical mask for at least 1 h and a maximum of 4 h, this process was then repeated on another day with the same workers wearing N95 masks. After removing the mask, capillary blood gases were taken and a questionnaire was given. Results Thirty-four participants over the age of 18 were included in the study; 19 participants were female (56%) and 15 male (44%). The results of the capillary blood gas analysis after the use of surgical mask and N95 mask, respectively: pH: 7.43 ± 0.03; 7.48 ± 0.04 ( p < 0.001); p CO 2 : 37.33 ± 8.81; 28.46 ± 7.77 mmHg ( p < 0.001); HCO 3 : 24.92 ± 2.86; 23.73 ± 3.29 mmol/L ( p = 0.131); Base excess (BE): 1.40 (− 3.90–3.10); − 2.68 (− 4.50–1.20) [median (Q1−Q3)] ( p = 0.039); lactate: 1.74 ± 0.68; 1.91 ± 0.61 ( p = 0314). Headache, attention deficit and difficulty in concentrating were significantly higher after using N95 mask. Conclusion Respiratory alkalosis and hypocarbia were detected after the use of N95. Acute respiratory alkalosis can cause headache, anxiety, tremor, muscle cramps. In this study, it was quantitatively shown that the participants’ symptoms were due to respiratory alkalosis and hypocarbia.

Evaluation of Capillary Blood Gases in Medical Personnel Caring for Patients Isolated Due to SARS-CoV-2 in Intensive Care Units before and after Using Enhanced Filtration Masks: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…After removing the mask, capillary blood gases were taken and a questionnaire was given. In this study, it was quantitatively shown that the participants’ symptoms were due to respiratory alkalosis and hypocarbia [ 15 ]. The analysis of our study revealed that 1/3 of medical personnel had clearly perceived subjective symptoms, i.e., fatigue or sleepiness.…”

P2/N95 respirators & surgical masks to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection: Effectiveness & adverse effects

“…The majority of the studies were at high risk of bias (n=18/21) ( 16 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ) primarily due to the potential for recall bias (e.g. use of self-report surveys), participation bias (e.g.…”

“…Eight studies contributed data to the meta-analyses of AEs ( 25 , 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 39 , 41 , 42 ), with findings from Zuo, Hua ( 43 ) unable to be statistically combined. Healthcare workers wearing respirators reported more AEs than those wearing surgical masks, specifically: De novo headaches (respirator = 99/159 [62.3%], surgical mask = 156/314 [49.7%]); Respiratory distress or shortness of breath (respirator = 83/148 [56.1%], surgical mask = 52/217 [24.0%]); Facial itching or irritation (respirator = 66/256 [25.8%], surgical mask = 51/256 [19.9%]); Sweating (respirator = 1263/1485 [85.1%], surgical mask = 93/494 [18.8%]); Pressure-related injuries (respirator = 878/1523 [57.6%], surgical mask = 94/532 [17.7%]); and Attention deficit or disorders (respirator = 33/76 [43.4%], surgical mask = 40/145 [27.6%]).…”

“…Healthcare workers wearing respirators were significantly more likely to experience de novo headache (OR 2.62, [95%CI 1.18, 5.81], I 2 = 67%)( 30 , 32 , 39 ), respiratory distress or shortness of breath (OR 4.21, [95%CI 1.46, 12.13], I 2 = 78%)( 30 , 32 , 34 ), facial itching or irritation (OR 1.80, [95%CI 1.03, 3.14], I 2 = 0%)( 30 , 32 , 41 ) and pressure-related injuries (OR 4.39, [95%CI 2.37, 8.15], I 2 = 52%)( 30 , 41 , 42 ) compared to HCWs wearing surgical masks ( Fig 3 ).

Figure 3 The odds of healthcare workers experiencing adverse events from wearing surgical masks compared to respirators in the clinical setting.

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Auswirkungen vermehrten Tragens von Mund-Nase-Schutz auf Kognition und Psyche von Klinikmitarbeitern

“…Im Vergleich zu N95-Masken wurden in einer italienischen Studie beim Tragen von chirurgischen MNS-Masken mehr Unbehagen und mehr Beschwerden von den Probanden geäußert [8]. In einer weiteren Studie konnte eine Assoziation zwischen N95-Masken und respiratorischer Alkalose gefunden werden, was u. a. mit Kopfschmerzen, Ängsten, Tremor und Muskelkrämpfen in Zusammenhang steht [9]. Eine ebenfalls unlängst durchgeführte Untersuchung zeigte, dass das Tragen von Gesichtsmasken in Kombination mit Schutzbrillen im klinischen Kontext vermehrt zu Kopfschmerzen führt und dass Mitarbeiter sich hierdurch in ihrer arbeitsbezogenen Leistungsfähigkeit eingeschränkt fühlen [10].…”