Ninety percent of people with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) also have an associated obstructive sleep apnea.
For those with obesity hypoventilation syndrome, it is critically important to seek treatment.
As the condition may have serious and even fatal consequences, early and aggressive intervention may prove necessary.
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Learn about some of the possible treatment options for obesity hypoventilation syndrome and the goals of these treatments.
Weight Loss
As the name implies, obesity is a key contributor to the disorder.
If substantial weight loss can be achieved, relief is obtained.
Nutritionists may provide helpful guidance in making behavioral changes.
These procedures in people who are overweight and have sleep apnea have increased risks.
In particular, the airway may collapse under the anesthesia used for surgery and recovery may be complicated.
Bariatric surgery may be considered for people with abody mass index(BMI) of 35 or more.
These devices generate a pressurized flow of air that can keep the upper airway from collapsing during sleep.
If OHS relates to a problem with breathing, canoxygenbe used to treat it?
In fact, using oxygen alone in OHS may actually suppress breathing.
In severe cases, it may be necessary to perform a tracheostomy.
This procedure involves the insertion of a small plastic breathing tube at the front of the throat.
This bypasses the upper airway, which is prone to collapse or obstruction in people with OHS.
Though a tracheostomy is effective, there are problems associated with its use.
It can be difficult to adjust to the change, especially how it impacts speech.
Bronchitis may also occur more frequently.
In general, given the other treatment options, it is now rarely used.
It is also necessary to avoidalcoholand certain drugs that suppress your ability to breathe.
Possible culprits includeprescription medications, such asbenzodiazepines, opiates, and barbiturates.
The dysfunctional breathing that characterizes the disease leads to an imbalance in the chemical levels of the blood.
Whencarbon dioxidecannot be properly removed, its levels increase and make the blood more acidic.
This triggers a number of changes in the body that can have negative consequences.
Weight loss normalizes oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
Ultimately, sleep becomes less fragmented and this improves excessive daytime sleepiness.
This results in an improved quality of life, which is the goal of any successful medical treatment.
