Medical Services

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) is a major breathing problem related to obesity, causing insufficient breathing, particularly when asleep. The issue happens when the extra weight of the body puts pressure on the chest wall and respiratory muscles, causing difficulty for the lungs to expand entirely. This causes the body to hold too much carbon dioxide, possibly resulting in inadequate oxygen.

Many people with OHS also have obstructive sleep apnoea, a disorder where a person repeatedly stops breathing while sleeping. Typical symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, weariness, shortness of breath, poor focus and disrupted sleep. In severe circumstances, untreated OHS can result in pulmonary hypertension, heart failure and other cardiovascular problems.
Diagnosis is generally made by physical examination, blood gas analysis, sleep tests, and lung function testing. Early identification is vital, as symptoms are sometimes confused with other respiratory or sleep-associated problems.

Treatment aims to improve respiration and reduce excess weight. You can often improve your symptoms by losing weight with food adjustments, exercise, medical supervision, or bariatric surgery. They employ positive airway pressure therapies, such as CPAP or BiPAP, to help you breathe while you are sleeping. With adequate management, most patients have better oxygen levels, greater sleep quality and a lower risk for long-term health problems.