How is Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) different from sleep apnea?

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) and sleep apnea are both breathing problems, but they are different in important ways.

OHS

• Daytime Breathing: People with OHS have trouble breathing deeply not just at night, but also during the day.
• Carbon Dioxide Levels: They often have high levels of carbon dioxide in their blood because they can’t breathe out fully.
• Obesity Link: OHS is closely linked to being overweight or obese.

Sleep Apnea

• Nighttime Breathing: Sleep apnea mainly causes breathing problems during sleep, leading to snoring and pauses in breathing.
• Sleep Disruption: It can cause people to wake up often during the night, leading to tiredness during the day.

Both conditions can make it hard to get enough oxygen, but OHS affects people all the time, while sleep apnea is mostly a problem at night. Understanding these differences is important for getting the right treatment.