Hello all!
I love my mask. I sleep all through the night with it. I tape my mouth. HOW am I swallowing air? I didn't for the longest time and for the last 4 months I am. I cannot figure out what changed. I just learned about the flex function and the doc moved it from 2 to 3 but I woke up this morning having swallowed air, maybe more than usual. Oh and with a dry mouth which is occurring with more frequency. My mouth is TAPED shut. How is this happening? Any thoughts? Is it the machine? I really really don't want a full face mask.
Aerophagia
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Aerophagia
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
Re: Aerophagia
While they say "swallowing" air because the air has entered the stomach it isn't getting there from the physical act of swallowing in the normal sense.
What happens is the air goes into the esophagus because both the esophagus and airway are combined initially and only down the line separate.
Two sphincters are involved...the first one is a the area where the esophagus and airway to the lungs separate and it's called the Upper Esophageal sphincter and the second sphincter is down where the esophagus and stomach meet and it's called the LES or Lower Esophageal Sphincter.
When either of these 2 sphincters weaken they can allow air to end up down in the stomach and you have "swallowed" some air without physically doing the act of swallowing.
Most often it is the lower sphincter that is the main weak spot and allowing air to sneak into the stomach.
It's more easily damaged or scarred by GERD and it loses the ability to close off effectively and stay closed without letting air to sneak into the stomach.
A full face mask won't fix the problem anyway. It's the pressure on that sphincter that is the problem and you will have it no matter what mask you use.
You might try sleeping on a different side if you can. Sometimes that will help.
If using maximum exhale relief isn't enough...you may need a different machine that offers more exhale relief.
Some options explained here if you haven't seen it.
wiki/index.php/Aerophagia
What happens is the air goes into the esophagus because both the esophagus and airway are combined initially and only down the line separate.
Two sphincters are involved...the first one is a the area where the esophagus and airway to the lungs separate and it's called the Upper Esophageal sphincter and the second sphincter is down where the esophagus and stomach meet and it's called the LES or Lower Esophageal Sphincter.
When either of these 2 sphincters weaken they can allow air to end up down in the stomach and you have "swallowed" some air without physically doing the act of swallowing.
Most often it is the lower sphincter that is the main weak spot and allowing air to sneak into the stomach.
It's more easily damaged or scarred by GERD and it loses the ability to close off effectively and stay closed without letting air to sneak into the stomach.
A full face mask won't fix the problem anyway. It's the pressure on that sphincter that is the problem and you will have it no matter what mask you use.
You might try sleeping on a different side if you can. Sometimes that will help.
If using maximum exhale relief isn't enough...you may need a different machine that offers more exhale relief.
Some options explained here if you haven't seen it.
wiki/index.php/Aerophagia
_________________
| Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/ |
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
Re: Aerophagia
I've found that sleeping on my right side eliminates aerophagia for me without having to turn on EPR.
Sleeping on left side or my back brings it back everytime.
Sleeping on left side or my back brings it back everytime.
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
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3 posts
• Page 1 of 1