Description
Severe obesity makes it hard to expand the lungs. Patients are unable to breathe deeply enough to get enough oxygen. It is common for severely obese people to have low oxygen levels (hypoxia) especially at night. The hypoxia can result in heart damage and heart failure.
Symptoms
Excessive daytime sleepiness, falling asleep during the day, increased risk for accidents or mistakes at work, depression, shortness of breath, fatigue leg swelling (edema).
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to confirm the disorder include: Sleep study, lung (pulmonary) function, and an arterial blood gas.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Electrocardiogram (EKG), Troponin, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Sleep study, lung (pulmonary) function, arterial blood gas.
Specialists:
Pulmonology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to confirm the disorder include: Sleep study, lung (pulmonary) function, and an arterial blood gas.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Electrocardiogram (EKG), Troponin, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Sleep study, lung (pulmonary) function, arterial blood gas.
Specialists:
Pulmonology
Treatment
The treatment involves improving the breathing effort and the options include: supplemental oxygen, non-invasive mechanical ventilation (BiPAP or CPAP), weight loss.