CPAP Therapy and Gastrointestinal Distress

[CatButler]

While my CPAP has helped a great deal, I do notice the way it affects my stomach. Along with the bloating, change in bowel habits, and a aerophagia, I also seem to be bothered by foods which have never bothered me before, such as beans (at least severely) and broccoli. One night after some broccoli which wasn't quite cooked enough, I had such stomach pains and bloating that night that I thought I was going to have to go to the emergency room. I got up, took some gasX and felt better. I am sure there is extra air in my digestive tract. Could that air be feeding extra bacterial action in my stomach? I had chili with beans in it today for lunch, went for a walk and barely made it back in time. I had pretty bad stomach pains the last 100 yards.

[jwerley]

Cat: I have similar problems...You need to see a Gastroenterologist. I found out that I have what's called "Barretts Esophagus", which needs to be treated with medication....and I do feel that this was brought on by my 7 years of using cpap therapy. The foods you mentioned are triggers for an attack. You need to be on a low fat, low carb diet and avoid those foods that trigger your stomach pain and bloating........See the doc and follow his/her guidance......as this is serious and nothing to fool around with!! Good Luck....Hope this helps!

[Sir NoddinOff]

I suffered from aerophagia pretty bad for a few weeks after I started CPAP. During that time, I read on this site that quite often it lessens or even goes away after a short period of time. That has certainly been my case; now I just have a few harmless 'backdoor zephyrs' during the night and that's about it. If you've just started treatment I would recommend sticking it out for a few more weeks and see how it goes - of course, I'd eliminate the Texas style four alarm chili for a bit

[chunkyfrog]

The most common cause of Barretts esophagus is GERD (acid reflux)
Although many patients have experienced improvement in GERD with CPAP therapy,
still others have experienced the opposite, probably due to the presence of swallowed air (aerophagia)
Any continued presence of acid where it doesn't belong should be addressed by a gastroenterologist,
as it could lead to cancer; gas by itself will "pass"
If there is burning in your upper chest, it could be reflux--don't suck it up and hope it will pass; see the doctor.

[LSAT]

Cat: I have similar problems...You need to see a Gastroenterologist. I found out that I have what's called "Barretts Esophagus", which needs to be treated with medication....and I do feel that this was brought on by my 7 years of using cpap therapy. The foods you mentioned are triggers for an attack. You need to be on a low fat, low carb diet and avoid those foods that trigger your stomach pain and bloating........See the doc and follow his/her guidance......as this is serious and nothing to fool around with!! Good Luck....Hope this helps!

Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus changes from its normal lining to a type that is usually found in the intestines.

It is believed that this change is the result of chronic regurgitation (reflux) of the stomach contents up into the esophagus. The contents of the stomach contain digestive acid and other chemicals which damage the normal lining of the esophagus.

Don't blame CPAP.

[archangle]

When I had my CPAP misadjusted and the pressure was too low, I got terrible heartburn. Bad enough to make me worry about it being heart trouble. When I fixed it and raised my pressure, things were much better.

My theory is that when struggling to get breath with an apnea, I was forcing acid up into my throat somehow.

Some people have increased GERD with increased pressure. Perhaps the air pressure dilates your lower esophageal sphincter and lets acid leak out. Maybe exhale relief/EPR/Flex and other pressure changes pumps acid out of your stomach.

[CatButler]

Thanks for the replies. I used to have problems with reflux at night before CPAP, especially if I overate. I haven't noticed them since going on CPAP. I will ask my Dr about it at my next appointment.

[jwerley]

Sorry....I stand corrected....What I should have said is that studies have shown that OSA can definitely cause acid reflux, thus winding up with Barretts Esophagus.