Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

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lwieland11
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Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

Post by lwieland11 » Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:12 pm

Hi -

I have small hiatal hernia. Was wondering if that could the cause of my aerophagia. Any thoughts?

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LSAT
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Re: Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

Post by LSAT » Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:15 pm

lwieland11 wrote:Hi -

I have small hiatal hernia. Was wondering if that could the cause of my aerophagia. Any thoughts?
People have aerophagia without HH so I guess a HH could make it worse. I suppose it can cause it. How was your HH diagnosed?

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Re: Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

Post by sptrout » Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:58 pm

I have a small HH and do not have aerophagia. A guestion not a statement, but is aerophagia more a problem for mouth breathers vs. nose breathers? I am a nose breather and use a pillow mask. Any connection?

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Re: Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

Post by Pugsy » Thu Oct 26, 2017 6:03 pm

It wouldn't be impossible for the hiatal hernia to be causing the LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) to maybe get in a position or be a problem letting the air into the stomach. It's usually the LES that is weak and not able to keep the opening closed well against the pressure that is the problem with air getting into the stomach. It just doesn't close well for any number of reasons.

But I suspect the problem is more simply a weak LES than it is the hiatal hernia itself.
I have a small hiatal hernia...rarely have aerophagia issues that amount to anything. Only twice in 2 years have I had the aerophagia monster come visit me.

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Re: Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

Post by Pugsy » Thu Oct 26, 2017 6:06 pm

sptrout wrote:I have a small HH and do not have aerophagia. A guestion not a statement, but is aerophagia more a problem for mouth breathers vs. nose breathers? I am a nose breather and use a pillow mask. Any connection?
I don't think the mask or nose vs mouth is the big factor.
I have had it happen twice...once with a full face mask but I wasn't particularly mouth breathing (just testing a full face mask)...and once with a nasal pillow mask which has been my mask type for over 8 years now.
It wouldn't be impossible I suppose but I don't think that is the primary reason.
I think it is the weak LES that is the primary culprit. Now why it might be weak...dunno but I suspect that GERD could be a factor in maybe damaging the LES a bit.

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Re: Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

Post by lwieland11 » Thu Oct 26, 2017 7:15 pm

For me, sleep position is the biggest factor in alleviating the aerophagia. Sleeping flat on my back is the the worst. Side is much better. Semi upright seems the best. I wonder if the semi upright position is somehow keeping the LES in place so it's doing it's job?

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Re: Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

Post by LSAT » Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:20 pm

lwieland11 wrote:For me, sleep position is the biggest factor in alleviating the aerophagia. Sleeping flat on my back is the the worst. Side is much better. Semi upright seems the best. I wonder if the semi upright position is somehow keeping the LES in place so it's doing it's job?
The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) is similar to your anus. It's a valve that opens and closes as needed. When it is weak it doesn't close all the way which allows acid up the esophagus and air down. If it gets too bad it can be treated with laparoscopic surgery....I had it done 15 years ago.
http://www.refluxmd.com/what-causes-heartburn/

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Re: Hiatal Hernia Causing Aerophagia?

Post by NightWatch23 » Sun Jan 14, 2018 12:35 am

lwieland11 wrote:For me, sleep position is the biggest factor in alleviating the aerophagia. Sleeping flat on my back is the the worst. Side is much better. Semi upright seems the best. I wonder if the semi upright position is somehow keeping the LES in place so it's doing it's job?
How do you achieve "semi upright"? A reclining chair? I'm guessing that means on your back but semi-upright?, or do you have a way to sleep on your side semi upright?

I also have both hiatal hernia and CPAP-induced aerophagia, and I'm looking for solutions. So far my research has indicated that there's a coorelation, but causation is not understood.