Has anyone experienced a relief from gastrointestinal problems after starting CPAP therapy?

Hello,

I hope it's not an issue starting this thread. I have read about sleep apnea's role in causing some gastrointestinal symptoms such GERD. Speaking about myself, around the time I developed the symptoms of sleep apnea about one year ago (primarily, extreme fatigue and drowsiness) I also developed chronic constipation. I never experienced chronic constipation before. Since then, I've tried everything under the sun to help relieve the constipation but nothing at all has worked. It always felt like my body was too tired to even go to the bathroom. So, I really wonder whether the constipation that I've developed could be related to my sleep issues.

I did search this forum to see if anyone else had a similar experience and found one post by a user back in 2005 about constipation relief after starting CPAP therapy. They wrote, "I read an article that said that CPAPs can help your body heal itself in areas you wouldn't expect it to. My theory is, that since I was finally getting the rest I had needed for so long, my colon could relax and heal itself of the constant constipation." (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3444&hilit=Constipation) I also managed to find a study which found an association between constipation (and other GI issues) and sleep apnea.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see if CPAP therapy does help me with this problem (I've started using a CPAP about 5-6 days ago). If anyone else has found relief for their GI issues since starting CPAP therapy, I would love to hear about it.

It helps GERD very often if otherwise set up well for the user, never heard of your problem here before, but you never know. I do suggest you talk to your MD though, not everything's about apnea and other things are more likely in your case. One post from 2005 where they may well have had coincidental relief from other things doesn't go far here after all.

Please see your doctor.
I miss my baby brother.
He would not go to the doctor until it was an emergency.
His colon cancer was terminal.
He passed at 52.
I hope I scared you good--I kind of like you.

It helps GERD very often if otherwise set up well for the user, never heard of your problem here before, but you never know. I do suggest you talk to your MD though, not everything's about apnea and other things are more likely in your case. One post from 2005 where they may well have had coincidental relief from other things doesn't go far here after all.

That's true. It's just that doctors are very dismissive usually, with their typical advice just being to increase your fiber. But I do intend to get some imaging tests done to see if there's any identifiable cause and have an appointment with a doctor tomorrow.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:40 pm

I hope I scared you good--I kind of like you.

Yup, definitely. Sorry about your brother. But I get your point and I hope that I can get the doctor that I'm seeing tomorrow to carry out some extensive testing.

gadgetmaniah wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:44 pm

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:40 pm

I hope I scared you good--I kind of like you.

Yup, definitely. Sorry about your brother. But I get your point and I hope that I can get the doctor that I'm seeing tomorrow to carry out some extensive testing.

Colonoscopy is the best, though quite unpleasant the night before.
A comic referred to it as the "night of a thousand waterfalls"
I wish I had weighed myself when I was empty.
Now I wonder how much crap I can hold

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:52 pm

Now I wonder how much crap I can hold

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:52 pm

gadgetmaniah wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:44 pm

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:40 pm

I hope I scared you good--I kind of like you.

Yup, definitely. Sorry about your brother. But I get your point and I hope that I can get the doctor that I'm seeing tomorrow to carry out some extensive testing.

Colonoscopy is the best, though quite unpleasant the night before.
A comic referred to it as the "night of a thousand waterfalls"
I wish I had weighed myself when I was empty.
Now I wonder how much crap I can hold

Haha. I was trying to avoid having a colonscopy done, but I guess I will have to go ahead with it if it's necessary.

gadgetmaniah wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:10 pm

I also managed to find a study which found an association between constipation (and other GI issues) and sleep apnea.

Maybe you found a study backing this up:

Similarly, people with obstructive sleep apnea will have chronic, low-grade degrees of physiologic stress, diverting blood flow and nutrient supply away from the gut. Now imagine if you ate a meal. The normal digestive processes of acid secretion, bile formation, peristalsis (rhythmic movement of the muscles) and absorption is going to be impaired. Imagine what can happen when you place food in your stomach. It can cause bloating, pain, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation.

Good luck and may CPAP bring an end to your excrementally challenged days.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 5:12 pm

gadgetmaniah wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 3:10 pm

I also managed to find a study which found an association between constipation (and other GI issues) and sleep apnea.

Maybe you found a study backing this up:

Similarly, people with obstructive sleep apnea will have chronic, low-grade degrees of physiologic stress, diverting blood flow and nutrient supply away from the gut. Now imagine if you ate a meal. The normal digestive processes of acid secretion, bile formation, peristalsis (rhythmic movement of the muscles) and absorption is going to be impaired. Imagine what can happen when you place food in your stomach. It can cause bloating, pain, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation.

Good luck and may CPAP bring an end to your excrementally challenged days.

Thank you! I like the pun, haha. Also, if anyone may be interested, here's the link to the study that I found: "More Than Just GERD: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated with IBS and Constipation" (https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S ... 1/abstract)

My daughter gets constipated because she doesn't drink enough fluid. If you are mouth breathing (even in a full face mask) you may be drying out because of it. Try increasing your fluid intake to see if that helps.

Janknitz wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 5:36 pm

My daughter gets constipated because she doesn't drink enough fluid. If you are mouth breathing (even in a full face mask) you may be drying out because of it. Try increasing your fluid intake to see if that helps.

I see. Increasing fluid intake is something that I really need to do. Thanks!

gadgetmaniah wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 6:14 pm

Increasing fluid intake is something that I really need to do.

Check urine color for proper hydration.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Mon May 03, 2021 6:57 am

gadgetmaniah wrote: ↑

Sun May 02, 2021 6:14 pm

Increasing fluid intake is something that I really need to do.

Check urine color for proper hydration.

Thanks for this.