Does CPAP increase intra-abominal pressure? Varicocle?

[Cpaptorneke]

I have varicocle which gets worsened when abdominal pressure is increased. Does use of CPAP increase abdominal pressure? If it does, I don't know if I should use MAD for life or get MMA surgery I asked Doctor but he really doesn't know the answer.

Thank you so much!

[Julie]

Do a forum search for 'aerophagia' and see if there's anything that might help, but Cpap generally just gives you a relatively tiny bit of air to prop open your airway a bit more when blocked by your tongue or throat tissue, so it's highly unlikely to affect your abdomen except in cases of aerophagia.

[Miss Emerita]

I'm not a doctor, but I doubt whether you should worry. There's some general information about varicoceles here:

https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/v/varicoceles

And this is an excerpt from a report on someone who ruptured a varicocele after multiple severe sneezes:

A spontaneous rupture of a varicocele resulting in an acute scrotal hematoma is a rare phenomenon. Sudden increase in abdominal pressure, resulting to an increased venous pressure, can lead to a rupture of the varicocele.

As far as I'm aware, CPAP use does not increase abdominal pressure or venous pressure.

If you or your doctor continue to think it is possible there's some risk in CPAP use, I would recommend that you talk with the doctor about repairing the varicocele rather than using MAD for life or getting MMA surgery.

[Physician]

Sneezing or coughing or bearing down represents a valsalva maneuver. That will increase intra-abdominal pressure and delay or resist venous return, thereby enhancing venous distention.

Small amounts of gastrointestinal air can be induced by a CPAP machine, eating quickly, drinking carbonated beverages, etc. is a different matter. If intra-abdominal pressure is increased it is insignificant and will not enhance a varicocele.

Why don't you have the varicocele removed? It's not doing any good.

[chunkyfrog]

I looked it up, and :

"What happens if varicocele is left untreated?
Left untreated, they can cause testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testicles). There is also a strong association between varicoceles and male infertility. Varicoceles have been linked with decreases in sperm count and motility and increases in the number of deformed and ineffective sperm."

Repair sounds like a minor procedure . . .
Why are you not already on the table?

[Cpaptorneke]

Thank you for the replies.

I'm getting it fixed in 2 weeks. I hope to get on CPAP soon.

[Miss Emerita]

Congrats on both counts!