Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide Effects During Exercise
Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are colorless, odorless gases. And both can be present as pollutants in the air. Which is what you breath quite a bit more of during exercise.
The effects of carbon monoxide is that it interferes with the delivery of oxygen during exercise. It has the potential to cause unconsciousness, and even death, at a high concentrations.
Lower concentrations may cause:
Relatively healthy people may complain of fatigue, while those with heart disease may experience increased episodes of chest pain. And carbon monoxide poisoning is sometimes confused with the flu or food poisoning.
The effects of nitrogen dioxide is it irritates the mucous membranes in the eye, nose, and throat. And causes shortness of breath after exposure to high concentrations. Which is why you may feel out of breath during exercise in a highly polluted environment.
High concentrations, or continued exposure to low levels, of nitrogen dioxide may increase your risk of respiratory infections. Or developing a lung disease, such as emphysema.
When you exercise, you’re likely breathing in either of these air pollutants substantially deeper into you lungs. So check the air out before you go out.
- Air You Breath is a Healthy Lifestyle Factor
- Death by Dirt: Methane Gas Causes Low Oxygen Level
- Headache, Dizziness and Nausea of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Dyspnea Cause for Breathlessness, Short of Breath or Out of Breath
- Lung, Pulmonary, Respiratory Disease, Difficulty Breathing Problems, Shortness of Breath Causes
Filed under: Air
