Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Synonyms

Hypoventilation Syndrome, Obesity

Obesity-Hypoventilation Syndrome

Pickwickian Syndrome

Syndrome, Obesity Hypoventilation

Syndrome, Pickwickian

HYPOVENTILATION syndrome in very obese persons with excessive ADIPOSE TISSUE around the ABDOMEN and DIAPHRAGM. It is characterized by diminished to absent ventilatory chemoresponsiveness; chronic HYPOXIA; HYPERCAPNIA; POLYCYTHEMIA; and long periods of sleep during day and night (HYPERSOMNOLENCE). It is a condition often related to OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA but can occur separately.