Amara View

[Katlee39]

Input on New Amara Viw.

[Magicdave]

I very much doubt that there would be a link between using CPAP and bowel habits. Two issues I found were (a) before using a humidifier with the machine, my nasal passages would get really dry to the extent I occasionally had a slight nosebleed. And (b) I occasionally swallow air during the night which leaves me feeling bloated in the morning. Otherwise no side effects at all - apart from getting a really good nights sleep !

[HoseCrusher]

One way to check out dehydration is to drink more water and see if things change.

[Morbius]

It may not be the CPAP. Perhaps your sleep has changed:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3093001/

[OkyDoky]

I also noticed a change in my bowels. Before CPAP I had frequent episodes of diarrhea for years. I attributed it to my NASH, removed gall bladder, and GERD. After starting on CPAP I noticed I was having constipation and went for a colonoscopy. All was fine with my colon. I was no longer having frequent acid reflux and I think the decreased stomach acid decreased the diarrhea and allowed my bowels to eventually become more normal.

[Krelvin]

I was been diagnosed 1 month go with mild sleep apnea. I am getting along with it pretty well. Only problem is there is a change in my bowel habits. Constipation seems to be the issue. The only thing different is using the machine. I use an apap Resmid Airsense10. I wondered if the air could be causing dehydration. Has anyone else had a similiar problem?

Started a long time ago so I don't recall exactly, but a lot of minor things changed. Got up less frequently, slept better, made me feel better, ate differently as I wasn't up late at night any more...

You sleep process changes and can affect other functions slightly.

Drink more fluids and get more fibre.

[Guest]

Since I started cpap and other than my current "problem" I have been feeling so much better. Sleeping better, thinking more clearly and anxiety level is down. I bought some biotene mouth rinse as I use a face mask and my mouth gets really dry. Thank you all for your comments.

[chunkyfrog]

Always read and follow directions explicitly.

[sptrout]

I was been diagnosed 1 month go with mild sleep apnea. I am getting along with it pretty well. Only problem is there is a change in my bowel habits. Constipation seems to be the issue. The only thing different is using the machine. I use an apap Resmid Airsense10. I wondered if the air could be causing dehydration. Has anyone else had a similiar problem?

Bingo! Exact same thing happened to me, total change from one night to the next. Over 60 days now and I have not yet returned to the pre-CPAP days. I think that it may have been caused by nightly, and unknown, anxiety that kept things stirred-up, no pun intended. The only bad change that has happened to me since I started CPAP'en. I can live with that!

[Sir NoddinOff]

I occasionally get a little bit of that. Here's a quick tip: Go to your local drug store and buy some generic magnesium tablets of 250mg... sometimes it's in a potassium/magnesium combo pill... that's fine too. Start out with one a day and see if things in that department improve,if not, try one and a half tablets or even 2 tablets. Too much magnesium will send you to the crapper quite a lot. Adding fiber and more water to your diet is also a good thing to do.

[lc96]

Totally agree about magnesium. Was already eating plenty of fiber but magnesium solved it. Sometime need 750mg but usually for me 500mg.

[LSAT]

Miralax at your pharmacy

[photonic]

My gastroenterologist tells me that it is quite common to experience constipation with cpap. I certainly did. He says it is due to the reduction in adrenalin discharge during the night which was causing more bowl motility. The apneas were causing stress and thus the adrenalin discharge. When that is reduced the bowl slows, more water is absorbed, and constipation can occur. I definitely had this and now a daily dose of fiber has me back on track. It was quite awful before I understood what was causing it. Hope that helps!

[Sheriff Buford]

Chunky: where are the directions on bowel habits? Did I miss something? Mmm?

Sheriff

[Davenurse]

OK so I am a hospice nurse and i deal with this issues all the time. My guess is because your sleeping better you are having less motility in your bowels. In other words your bowel push stool through the system and ultimately out of the body. When your awake it is more active than when your sleeping. So if you were awake or active during the night, so were your bowels and now they are less active so there's the constipation. Another issue might be your drying out at night and causing some mild dehydration. Here is what I would suggest. Increase your intake of non caffeinated drinks (water is best), as much as you can tolerate. Also start using a fiber supplement. When taking fiber, drink with at LEAST 12 ounces of water or it will actually turn into a rock and cause constipation. If that doesn't work I would try a stool softener such as Colace. Do not go to laxatives unless absolutely necessary, you don't want to become dependent on them. Hope this helps......