DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Pulmonary Disease

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

HIGH SEVERITY

A breathing disorder in obese people where poor breathing leads to too much carbon dioxide and too little oxygen in the blood. Often overlaps with obstructive sleep apnea. Can lead to pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and early death if untreated.

Global Affected

1.5M

Countries

89

Symptoms

Daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches
Shortness of breath
Depression
Poor sleep quality
Snoring
Difficulty concentrating
Swollen legs
Cyanosis (blue lips/fingers)

Treatment Options

CPAP therapy
BiPAP ventilation
Weight loss program
Bariatric surgery
Oxygen therapy (adjunct)
Treating sleep apnea
Tracheostomy (severe)
Respiratory stimulants (rare)

Risk Factors

1BMI >30 (severe >40)
2Obstructive sleep apnea
3Male gender
4Age >50
5Hypothyroidism
6Polycystic ovary syndrome
7Cushing syndrome
8Genetic factors

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Arterial blood gas (elevated CO2)
  • 2Sleep study (polysomnography)
  • 3Pulmonary function tests
  • 4Chest X-ray/CT
  • 5Echocardiogram
  • 6BMI calculation

Prognosis

Poor without treatment (5-year mortality 20%). Excellent with CPAP/BiPAP and weight loss. Reversible with effective treatment. High risk of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.

Prevention

  • Weight management
  • Sleep apnea treatment
  • Regular exercise
  • Healthy diet
  • Bariatric surgery consideration
  • Screening high-risk obese patients

Research Status

CPAP/BiPAP ventilation is mainstay. Weight loss essential. Tracheostomy in severe cases. Treat associated sleep apnea. Can reverse with effective treatment. Oxygen alone insufficient - need ventilatory support.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanBrazilMexicoRussiaChinaIndiaSwedenNorwayFinlandNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaTaiwanSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesVietnamSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitBHOmanJordanLebanonSyriaIraqIranPakistanBangladeshLKMMKHLAMNKPUzbekistanKazakhstanKGTJTMAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMKMESerbiaXK

Sources

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.