Obesity Hypoventilation
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a condition that occurs in obese people, in which poor breathing leads to lower oxygen levels and higher carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Alternative Names
Pickwickian syndrome
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The exact cause of OHS in unknown. Most (but not all) patients with the syndrome have a form of
OHS is believed to result from both a defect in the brain's control over breathing, and excessive weight (due to obesity)...
Read moreMore information on "Obesity Hypoventilation"
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From Our Sources
Hypoventilation
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Hypoventilation is too shallow or too slow breathing, which does not meet the needs of the body. It may also refer to reduced lung function.If a... Read more »
Primary alveolar hypoventilation
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Primary alveolar hypoventilation is a rare disorder of unknown cause in which a person does not take enough breaths per minute. The lungs and airways... Read more »
Central sleep apnea
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Central sleep apnea is when you repeatedly stop breathing during sleep because the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that... Read more »
Central sleep apnea
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Sleep apnea - centralSymptomsPersons with central sleep apnea have episodes of disrupted breathing during sleep.Other symptoms may include:Chronic... Read more »
Central sleep apnea
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Sleep apnea - centralTreatmentOxygen, nasal CPAP, or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) may be used for some types of central sleep apnea. Some... Read more »
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