Burping...what does it mean

NoWonderYou'reTired · Post by **NoWonderYou'reTired** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:26 pm

Ok so I had a bad night last night. But this morning I kept waking up and burping once or twice then going back to sleep. This happend several times before I took the mask off and rolled over to go back to sleep. I have occassionaly had this happen in the morning just before I get up but not on a regular basis. So, what gives? Am I mouth breathing or did I just swallow a bunch of air.

TIA

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:41 pm

You are swallowing a bunch of air. We CPAPers tend to do that, but with a nasal interface you also could be mouthleaking, unless you tape. With a FF Mask taping isn't necessary. Jim

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:42 pm

Hi No Wonder You're Tired,

Beans will do it for me, sometimes cabbage. Also, what kind of beer do you drink in Alabama?

Bob F

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:38 pm

You didn't eat a couple of burritos before you went to bed, did you?

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:55 am

This is more to keep you on the "front page" than any help.

Probably air swallowing as you yourself suggested. Wish I had a cure! Maybe someone here will have more suggestions.

Sleepless in St. Louis · Post by **Sleepless in St. Louis** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 11:00 am

I can't add much only to say that I seem to remember reading that for some people enabling C-Flex can exaserbate this problem. It happpens to me sometimes, but not all nights. Must be made worse by sleeping in certain positions in my case.

Tim

Livinlife · Post by **Livinlife** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 12:02 pm

This is a very serious issue for me and others that I have spoken with...and it has nothing to do with what we ate before we go to sleep. I have awaken in the middle of the night with so much air pumped into my stomach that I was in EXTREME pain. This is more than just swallowing some air. My RemStar is set at 12 and the pressure is enough that the air is by-passing my lungs and going into my stomach. It eventually starts entering the rest of my digestive system which results in flatulence (to state it nicely). I also wear a chin strap. My doctor does not want to lower the pressure on the machine. I'm either awake half the night because I'm in pain from the machine pumping air into my stomach or not use the machine and be awake half the night from my brain screaming for oxygen every few minutes. I wear a chin strap and I use the nose plugs. Can anyone offer any suggestions?

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 12:49 pm

Certainly a serious problem for some, very painful for some as well. I was told by my sleep doc's nurse that side sleepers seem to suffer less from it than back sleepers, so a change of position might help. You might try making a deal with your doc...lower the pressure by 1 for a week and then check the numbers (AHI, AI, HI, etc.). If you have less belching and pain, and your numbers are still good, lower by one more until you strike a balance between comfort and treatment efficacy.

If you still have discomfort, complain and complain again. Be cranky and irritable with the doc. Remind them that compliance depends on patient comfort. Ask for a trial with a bi-pap...several here on the forum have reported that bi-paps have eliminted or greatly reduced the aerophagia for them.

Good luck!

SleepyHibiscus · Post by **SleepyHibiscus** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:35 pm

Today was my day 12 on apap and I am noticing when I awaken during the night I must release air and bubbles from my mouth. It's a weird fish-like action that is involuntary; I discharge a sizeable build-up of air from my mouth accompanied by blowing raspberry-like sounds from my lips. This is strange. I also experience burping upon awaking and a necessary feeling to continue letting air out of my mouth or the urge to burp (but can't) all day. I feel like I'm filled up with air, and this has begun in the past day or so. Does this happen to anyone else? Suggestions?

Peaceful sleep to you all.
Deb

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:49 pm

Definition of Aerophagia

Aerophagia: Swallowing too much air, a common cause of gas in the stomach and belching. Everyone swallows small amounts of air when eating or drinking. However, rapid eating or drinking, chewing gum, smoking, or ill-fitting dentures may cause a significant increase in swallowed air.

The word "phage" in Greek means "to eat." Aerophagia is literally to eat air. Add to that list CPAP.

things that seem to help are:
lowering your machine pressure
possibly changing your diet or trying Beano.

Eventually your LES will heal and seal better where you no longer have the problem. It is one of the qwerks when starting cpap but it will pass.

SleepyHibiscus · Post by **SleepyHibiscus** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:39 pm

Thanks SnoreDog. What is LES ? Does taping the mouth help prevent swallowing air?

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:45 am

SleepyHibiscus wrote:Thanks SnoreDog. What is LES ? Does taping the mouth help prevent swallowing air?

LES=Lower Esophageal Sphincter valve. It is the valve located at the opening of the stomach that keeps stomach contents from splashing back up in the esophaguas and causing what you know as Acid Reflux or GERD.

When the valve gets continually bathed in stomach acid it can damge the LES valve where it doesn't respond normally and it doesn't completely close, when this happens it can allow the air from CPAP to enter the stomach and cause the pain from Aerophagia.

CPAP helps to push that stomach acid and contents back into the stomach but the air also enters and is what contributes to the pain. Once the LES is allowed to heal it will seal better and stop the CPAP air pressure from entering the stomach.

This is the LES closed:

This is the LES Open:

taping your mouth closed would NOT help in this situation. Best thing to do is to elevate the head of your bed by 10", this would help keep the stomach contents in the stomach and allow the LES to heal. Drink lots of water and don't eat anything too close to bed time.

terrycatucci · Post by **terrycatucci** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:20 pm

I am a fairly new cpap user (2 months). I too suffer from aerophagia. We've decreased the pressure from 11 to 9 but it continues. It is very painful along with belching and flatulence. In fact, it is so bad that I have temporarily discontinued use of the cpap. Someone mentioned the LES may eventually heal. Any way to speed that up?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:44 pm

If you're a guy and single and you live alone, and your CPAP gives you increased levels of belching and flatulence that do NOT pose any other problems (pain, bloating, etc.).... well, many guys in that situation would consider it a positive "self-entertainment bonus", so to speak. =)

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:08 pm

[quote="terrycatucci"]I am a fairly new cpap user (2 months). I too suffer from aerophagia. We've decreased the pressure from 11 to 9 but it continues. It is very painful along with belching and flatulence. In fact, it is so bad that I have temporarily discontinued use of the cpap. Someone mentioned the LES may eventually heal. Any way to speed that up?

Burping...what does it mean

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Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4