Obesity is a medical condition that happens when there are excess fat cells in the body.
Difficulty breathing, gasping, and breathlessness (dyspnea) can be symptoms of obesity.
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How Can Obesity Cause Breathing Problems?
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There are several ways thatobesityand breathing problems are linked, though more research is necessary.
Can Obesity Cause Shortness of Breath and Wheezing?
Alongsideshortness of breath, you may experiencewheezingor hear sounds when you breathe, especially during physical activity.
Physical exertion increases lung activity as your body demands more oxygen.
Excess weight can exacerbate this issue as the lungs work harder to keep up.
Excess neck or abdominal fat can narrow the airways, resulting in louder breathing.
Airway obstructions have a similar effect.
First, theyll assess your medical and family history, medications, and other factors.
They will perform a physical evaluation and may order additional tests.
Treatments for obesity and OHS may include:
Can Losing Weight Help With Shortness of Breath?
The evidence is clear: losing excess weight should help with obesity-related breathlessness.
Researchers also found this effect in women after moderate weight loss over 12 weeks.
In addition, researchers noted that weight loss can also affect brain activity, regulating the sensation of breathlessness.
Summary
For some, obesity can cause shortness of breath.
Excess weight places extra pressure on the lungs or airways, making breathing more difficult.
Excess weight can also raise the risk of other conditions that affect lung function, such as asthma.
Treatments for OHS include therapies to improve breathing and methods to lose weight.
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is sleep apnea?
Dixon AE, Peters U.The effect of obesity on lung function.Expert Rev Respir Med.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prescription medications to treat overweight and obesity.
