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Pickwickian syndrome
The treatment involves breathing assistance using special machines (mechanical ventilation). Options include:
Other treatments are aimed at weight loss, which can reverse OHS.
Support groups can help patients with OHS, or their family members, adjust to the lifestyle changes needed for treatment to be successful. Also, support groups can offer information about new treatments.
Untreated, it can lead to serious heart and blood vessel problems, severe disability, or death. Chronic sleeping problems may also increase the chance of having a motor vehicle accident.
Complications of OHS have to do with a lack of sleep, such as:
OHS can also include heart problems, such as:
Call your health care provider if you are very tired during the day, or have any other symptoms that suggest OHS.
Malhotra A. Disorders of ventilatory control. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 86.
Tzelepis GE, McCool FD. The lungs and chest wall diseases. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel’s Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 88.
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