Tam was diagnosed with pneumonia. Despite medication, his condition did not improve, and his shortness of breath worsened, prompting his emergency admission to Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Weighing 140 kg with a height of 1,79 m, Tam's BMI of 43,7 places him in the most severe obesity category according to WHO classifications. This condition significantly increases his risk of cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory diseases. Doctor Nguyen Minh Thuan, from the General Internal Medicine Department, diagnosed him with bacterial pneumonia compounded by obesity and alveolar hypoventilation. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for respiratory support.

According to Doctor Thuan, respiratory failure is not limited to the elderly or those with chronic lung diseases. Individuals with severe obesity also face a high risk because fat accumulated in the chest wall and abdominal area restricts lung expansion and reduces pulmonary ventilation. When pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses are added to this, the risk of hypoxia and respiratory failure increases. Patients often experience shortness of breath, fatigue with activity, snoring, or prolonged daytime sleepiness. In severe cases, this condition can lead to respiratory failure requiring intensive care in the ICU, as seen with Tam.

The patient receives intensive care in the ICU. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

A CT scan of Tam's chest revealed multiple inflammatory lesions in both lungs, primarily in the lower lobe of the right lung. He received antibiotic treatment, oxygen support, and intensive respiratory care. After one week, Tam no longer required oxygen, his fever subsided, and his cough decreased, allowing him to be discharged from the hospital.

Doctor Thuan advises obese individuals to undergo regular health check-ups to screen for complications such as hypertension, fatty liver, diabetes, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Managing weight through a balanced diet, increasing physical activity, and early treatment of underlying conditions can help reduce the risk of severe respiratory failure when respiratory infections occur.

Nhat Thanh

*The patient's name has been changed