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Hypoventilation Syndrome?  Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
(OHS) is a breathing disorder that affects some obese people.
Why these people develop OHS isn't fully known. Researchers
think that several factors may work together to cause OHS. These
factors include:    • A respiratory (RES-pih-rah-tor-e) system
that has to work harder than normal and perhaps differently
because of excess body weight. (The respiratory system is a
group of organs and tissues, including the lungs, that helps you
breathe.)   • A slow response by the body to fix the problem of
too much carbon dioxide and too little oxygen in the blood.   •
The presence of sleep apnea, usually obstructive sleep apnea.
Rate This Content: Last Updated: January 27, 2012