Obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), also known as Pickwickian syndrome, is a condition in which severely overweight people fail to breathe rapidly enough or deeply enough, resulting in low blood oxygen levels and high blood carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.

Pronunciation

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome: /oʊˈbiːsɪtiː, haɪpoʊvɛntɪˈleɪʃən, sɪnˈdroʊm/

Etymology

The term "Obesity hypoventilation syndrome" is derived from the words "obesity" (from the Latin obesus, meaning "having eaten until fat"), "hypoventilation" (from the Greek hypo-, meaning "under" or "less than normal", and ventilation, meaning "the act of supplying fresh air and getting rid of foul air"), and "syndrome" (from the Greek syndrome, meaning "concurrence of symptoms, concourse of things running together").

Definition

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome is a breathing disorder that affects some people who have been diagnosed with obesity. The condition causes you to have too much carbon dioxide and too little oxygen in your blood. Without treatment, it can lead to serious and even life-threatening health problems.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Obesity hypoventilation syndrome may include feeling short of breath or tired after sleep, daytime sleepiness, depression, headaches, leg swelling, and snoring loudly.

Causes

The exact cause of Obesity hypoventilation syndrome is unknown. However, it is believed to result from a combination of a defect in the brain's control over breathing, and excess weight against the chest wall, making it harder to take a deep breath.

Related Terms

• Obesity
• Hypoventilation
• Syndrome
• Sleep apnea
• Hypercapnia
• Hypoxemia

See Also

• Body mass index
• Respiratory failure
• Pulmonary hypertension

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
• Wikipedia's article - Obesity hypoventilation syndrome

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