Weight gain increases pressure on the diaphragm and chest, which can lead to reduced lung capacity, limited ventilation, reduced blood oxygen, and difficulty breathing.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a body mass index (BMI) over 30 is obese. This condition affects daily life, aesthetics, increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, fatty liver, musculoskeletal diseases, infertility…
Master, Doctor Nguyen Van Ngan, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said obesity affects the respiratory system through many different mechanisms. When the body gains weight, more fat accumulates in the abdominal area, causing pressure and pushing the diaphragm higher. This reduces the space for the lungs to expand, thereby limiting the lungs’ ability to expand during respiration. These changes lead to reduced blood oxygenation and difficulty breathing, especially during sleep.
Obesity-related respiratory disorders include obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). At a mild level, overweight people may have interrupted sleep, snore, fatigue, and drowsiness, affecting work and daily life. Prolonged hypoxia causes a series of metabolic disorders, increased blood pressure, and affects the blood vessels of the brain and heart. At this time, the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke due to cerebral embolism, cerebral hemorrhage… may occur.
Obesity also aggravates asthma, putting you at risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Specifically, inflammation in the airways and reduced ability to clear mucus. Increased inflammation in the airways also makes obese people more susceptible to respiratory infections. According to Dr. Ngan, obesity weakens the immune response to influenza viruses and influenza vaccines through changes in the cellular immune system. Compared with vaccinated healthy adults, vaccinated obese adults have a higher risk of developing influenza or influenza-like illness.
Overweight and obese patients receive weight loss consultation at Tam Anh Hospital. Image: Hospital provided
Doctors recommend that overweight people with signs of difficulty breathing, snoring, decreased sleep quality… should proactively be examined. The doctor will prescribe X-rays and CT scans to observe changes in the structure of the lungs, chest, and the level of fat accumulation around the abdomen and chest to diagnose respiratory function. The doctor may also prescribe a spirometry or polysomnography to specifically identify respiratory diseases.
“Weight loss is the most important measure in treating respiratory dysfunction in obese people,” said Dr. Ngan. Obese people should consult a doctor to have a suitable exercise regimen to ensure safety, and apply a diet to help control weight. Obese people with OSA often have hypoventilation syndrome so they should use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This is a device that helps maintain open airways during sleep, reduces the number of apnea episodes, improves sleep quality, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications.
In some cases, obese patients may be prescribed weight loss surgery. Adenoid curettage surgery, nasal septum correction, and mandibular orthopedic surgery also improve the airway and reduce symptoms of OSA.