Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome: An Overview

In some obese adults, a respiratory disorder known as Obesity-Related Hypoxemia (OHS) or Pickwickian syndrome develops, causing elevated carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream. Hypoventilation causes low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels in the circulation. Your lungs aren’t pumping enough air into and out of your body, known as hypoventilation. Obstructive sleep apnea can make it difficult to fall asleep.