What is Pickwick Syndrome?

Pickwick's syndrome is a rare enough disease, which is most often diagnosed among people with excess weight, although they can be sick and people of normal build. Pickwick syndrome has a very entertaining name, which comes from exactly the main character of the work of Charles Dickens. The fact is that all members of the club, dedicated to this famous writer, had very voluminous stomachs.

Pickwick's syndrome: the causes of the disease

It is proved that this disease affects, as a rule, those people whose obesity occurs by the abdominal type - this means that excessive weight accumulates in the abdomen, complicating the work of the abdominal organs.

But on the other hand, not all such people face such a disease. In addition, Pickwick's syndrome is diagnosed among people of normal complexion. Therefore, heredity also plays a role here. The risk group includes people who have experienced a severe mental trauma, nervous tension or emotional shock. The cause of the disease can be a violation of the hormonal background, pregnancy, another chronic disease.

Pickwick syndrome: symptoms of the disease

For most patients, obesity is characterized by a significant increase in the abdomen. As a result of this physique, the pressure not only on the abdominal organs, but also on the diaphragm, which can no longer work normally, is greatly increased. As a result, the complication of respiratory movements and insufficient oxygen in the blood.

The human body is adapted to compensate for the amount of oxygen, so when hypoxia increases the number of red blood cells, which are the carriers of gases. As a result of such changes, the patient's blood becomes too viscous and thick - the heart begins to work in a strengthened mode. With further development of the disease, a person in the blood pressure rises in a small circle of blood circulation, heart failure develops.

But the cells of the nervous system suffer most from the deficiency of oxygen. Nevertheless, over time, tissues adapt to work in the mode of hypoxia. During sleep, these people often stop breathing. A person often wakes up from suffocation, which disrupts normal sleep and affects the state of the psyche. During the day, the patient complains of constant drowsiness.

Pickwick syndrome: treatment

Pickwick's syndrome is a very dangerous disease, so you need to start treatment immediately. Complicated and the process of diagnosis, because to determine the correct diagnosis, you need round-the-clock monitoring of the patient. In addition, a blood test is performed, which shows an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.

As for the treatment process, it is very long. There are no schemes here, since the ways of dealing with the problem are determined individually for each person. First, the patient is prescribed a soft and sparing diet, which involves reducing the amount of protein food and restricting fluid intake.

The sick person also needs additional oxygen, so the doctor can prescribe the use of an oxygen pillow, therapeutic gymnastics, frequent walks, regular airing of the room, especially during sleep.

Obligatory and taking anticoagulants, with the help of the correct intake of which can dilute the blood, and, therefore, facilitate the work of the heart.

If Pickwick's syndrome is accompanied by diseases of the cardiovascular system, then their treatment or cupping is necessary. Over time, symptoms recede, a person sheds weight, breathing normalizes.

Unfortunately, treatment can not always be successful. Approximately half of the cases end with lethality due to stopping breathing in a dream.