Respiratory rehabilitation, work capacity, and sleep-related disorders in obesity

Abstract

Obesity has increased in the recent decades. It is the product of a multifactorial etiology and behavioral and social/cultural factors. Obesity implies a reduction in work capacity and a lower nocturnal sustainable level of ventilation. These conditions generally determine functional disabilities. Diet and physical activity are the classical therapeutic references of obesity, together with positive airway pressure in case of sleep-related disorders. This chapter describes the advisable indications and opportunities in recommending work programs at different power outputs considering the analysis in obese subjects of their work capacity and cardiopulmonary adaptation. Moreover, it describes biochemical modifications on some accepted drivers of cardiac and respiratory functions in normal subjects, and their likely effectiveness in conditioning work capacity in obesity. Finally, it talks about the most severe disorders related to sleep like obesity hypoventilation syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and their standard treatment.