Breathing too little during sleep (sleep-related hypoventilation)

Overview

When breathing is too shallow during sleep, carbon dioxide builds up.

It's common with severe obesity, neuromuscular disease, and some lung diseases.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Morning headaches

Less common

• Daytime sleepiness

Look up a symptom: Fatigue

When to get medical care

Causes

Obesity, muscle disease.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• People with severe obesity: Higher risk
• People with muscle or nerve disease: Higher risk

Possible complications

• Heart failure: Right-sided heart strain

Diagnosis

A clinician asks about your symptoms and may order tests.

The exam

A physical exam.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Sleep study:

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and how severe it is.

Self-care

• Use BiPAP every night
• Avoid sleeping pills and alcohol

Prevention

To lower your risk or prevent problems:

• Healthy weight

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a sleep medicine specialist.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• People with neuromuscular disease: Higher risk.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Treatment improves energy and headaches.

Breathing machines help.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• What's causing this?
• What treatment do you recommend?
• Do I need BiPAP?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Breathing too little during sleep (sleep-related hypoventilation)