Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS)

Disease	Injury	Nutrition	Poison

Special Topic	Surgery	Symptoms	Test

Respiratory system

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS)

Alternative Names:

Pickwickian syndrome

Treatment:

The treatment involves mechanical ventilation to provide enough breathing for the affected person. Options include:

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (BiPAP or other modes) through a mask that fits tightly over the nose or nose and mouth
Mechanical ventilation through a tracheostomy

Other therapies are aimed at weight loss, which may lead to reversal of the OHS.

Support Groups:

Support groups may help patients with OHS, or their family members, adjust to the lifestyle changes that are required for successful treatment. In addition, support groups may provide information about new treatments that are developed.

Expectations (prognosis):

When treated, OHS has a good prognosis. Untreated, it can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, severe disability or death.

Complications:

Complications of OHS include complications of excessive sleepiness, such as:

Increased risk for accidents
Depression, agitation, irritability
Sexual dysfunction

OHS may also include cardiovascular complications, such as

Hypertension
Cor pulmonale (right heart failure)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness, or any other symptoms that suggest OHS.

Review Date: 1/26/2002
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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