Hypoventilation means “slow, shallow breathing.”
Weight loss is part of a treatment plan but is not the only way to treat OHS.
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome and Breathing: What Is the Link?
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Its most common in people with a BMI of 50 or higher, a condition formerly called morbid obesity.
Healthcare providers dont know why people with a high body weight develop OHS.
The condition is tied to the brains ability to control breathing.
In addition, having more weight on the body can make it difficult for the lungs to expand.
Differences Between OHS and Sleep Apnea
Sleep apneais another breathing condition that is closely associated with obesity.
This leads to low oxygen levels and other symptoms.
OHS is different from sleep apnea because it can occur both when a person is awakeorasleep.
People with OHS dont stop breathing, but they breathe too shallowly and too slowly to get enough oxygen.
This also leads to low oxygen levels, andhigh carbon dioxide levels.
About 90% of people with OHS have sleep apnea.
Its most common for them to haveobstructive sleep apnea, the punch in in which the airway becomes blocked.
Could I Have OHS Symptoms?
The main symptoms of OHS are shortness of breath.
People with this condition also experience fatigue because they do not get quality sleep.
The condition can be deadly if its not treated.
A healthcare provider will conduct tests and a physical exam to diagnose you with OHS.
Your healthcare provider will discuss the treatments that are right for you.
Treatment to Reverse OHS
Weight loss is often recommended as atreatment for OHS.
However, studies note that the scientific evidence for weight loss to reverse OHS is weak.
Unfortunately, its difficult to reverse OHS.
However, people who lost a substantial amount of weight throughbariatric surgerydid see an improvement in OHS symptoms.
Ask your healthcare provider if any weight loss interventions are right for you.
Its very, very important to get treatment for OHS.
Without treatment, the condition can lead to heart failure and death.
Treatments include oxygen and breathing supports, like a CPAP or BiPAP machine.
Weight loss is usually recommended, too, although you need a significant weight loss to reverse OHS.
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Curr Pulmonol Rep. 2015 Mar 1;4(1):42-55. doi: 10.1007/s13665-015-0108-6.
MedlinePlus.Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS).
Kakazu MT, Soghier I, Afshar M, et al.Weight loss interventions as treatment of obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
