Gaseous distension of the abdomen from the use of continuous
Change Your Sleeping Position
Sleeping on your back makes you swallow more air, just like it makes snoring worse. Try sleeping on your side. If that doesn't work, elevating your torso may help because it narrows the esophagus.
Pressure is set too high: Your CPAP pressure could be set too high or higher than you need. The extra air you get has no place to go, but to your esophagus and then belly. Pressure is set too low: You may have your pressure set too low where it's too inadequate to resolve your apnea episodes.
Many people experience the unfortunate side effect of gassiness related to CPAP. This can feel embarrassing and even impact your daily life. This tends to happen when air that normally goes to your lungs goes to your stomach instead. Air swallowing with CPAP is common and nothing that you can't fix.
Summary. CPAP therapy can have a number of side effects. The most common ones relate to air mask leakage, but other side effects may include skin rash, bloating, and discomfort breathing out.
Aerophagia—or air swallowing—results in burping, abdominal distention, and discomfort, and oh my—flatulence! Aerophagia can develop during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use. But most CPAP patients do not openly complain of aerophagia symptoms, and clinicians may not specifically ask about it.
Yes. If your CPAP pressure is too high, you may experience discomfort in your mouth, nose or airways, which can make it difficult to fall asleep at night, and cause your overall therapy to not work as well.
If the CPAP air comes with enough high pressure and is swallowed into the esophagus, the muscular valve of the esophagus can be opened allowing the air to enter the stomach (aerophagia). Also, the stomach liquid can exit back where it came from or gives you bloating or other GI discomforts.
Fortunately, CPAP machines are noted for their effectiveness in delivering results quickly. Some patients feel better after the first night of use. Others may require a week or two to get accustomed to the treatment. Various factors determine how quickly you get accustomed to the CPAP machine.
It's certainly not set in stone that everyone must use a CPAP machine forever, but stopping isn't in the cards for everyone. Those who may be able to eventually retire their CPAP typically have modifiable factors contributing to their condition that need to be better managed.
Weight loss of just 10-15% can reduce the severity of OSA by 50% in moderately obese patients. Unfortunately, while weight loss can provide meaningful improvements in OSA, it usually does not lead to a complete cure, and many sleep apnea patients need additional therapies.
As long as you have sleep apnea, you will continue to need to use CPAP therapy. That being said, you can discontinue the use of your CPAP machine if your sleep apnea becomes cured or enters remission.
There is no indication that CPAP can damage your lungs. Some people report a burning sensation in their lungs following CPAP use. However, this is usually the result of inhaling cold, dry air.
Determining Required CPAP Pressure
Most people require more pressure than this low setting. The maximum setting varies with the type of machine, but it could be as high as 25 or 30 CWP. The average setting often lies between these two extremes. Levels above 15-20 CWP may require a change to bilevel therapy, (BPAP).
Second, CPAP therapy can cause less deep sleep, often linked to increases in body weight. Finally, some people may gain weight because they are less active during the day due to sleepiness from CPAP therapy. Not everyone suffers from expelling air, less deep sleep, or daytime sleepiness from using a CPAP.
Can I sleep on my side with a CPAP mask? People can sleep on their side while wearing a CPAP mask. Some companies manufacture masks that may be more suitable for side sleepers. These masks may be less likely to cause discomfort due to the product pressing into the skin while a person is sleeping.
Side effects are the most frequently reported reason for discontinuing CPAP therapy with approximately two-thirds of CPAP users experiencing side effects. 16, 17 They can include skin irritations and rashes, nasal congestion, claustrophobia, facial breakages, conjunctivitis and aerophagy (Fig. 1).
Other people may feel worse after using their CPAP equipment due to: CPAP mask leaks. Claustrophobia. Waking up with a dry mouth, nose, or gas from swallowed air (this is a normal occurrence called aerophagia)
There is good news. Upper airway stimulation therapy using a hypoglossal nerve stimulator is an option for people who are unable to tolerate their CPAPs. It's been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Three months of CPAP therapy reduced the basal metabolic rate in the absence of changes in physical activity, thus favoring a positive energy balance in terms of energy expenditure.
Foods to Avoid If You Have Sleep Apnea
People with sleep apnea are already at an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Eating fatty or highly processed meats like bacon, sausage, salami, ham, and hot dogs can increase your chances of heart trouble.
Though your tap water may be perfectly fine to drink, it may contain minerals that can cause buildup or scaling in your CPAP machine. Tap water may also contain additives like chlorine or fluoride that can harm your machine.