Was It Aerophagia?

[Sleepless on LI]

As most of you know, I have been able to discontinue using CPAP for the reasons explained in prior threads. But I am finding, although this is not a subject that I normally would put on a public forum, that what I always thought was aerophagia due to the machine is still present. And I don't mean occasionallly at night, but every night (embarrassingly so). My husband has finally commented about what happens after I fall asleep if he's still awake . When I am falling asleep, I have control over the "escape" from occurring. But when I am finally unconscious, I don't so these moments happen. I have actually awakened from it, as funny as it sounds (and actually is if you think about it - no, don't!).

Is this possible that this can still linger a week or so after treatment is over or prehaps this wasn't aerophagia to begin with and this condition simply coincided with the start of my therapy? I have no idea what to do. And since taking an OTC gas tablet OR TWO does nothing to stop it, and it is nightly but not during the day, I am really wondering what the heck is happening. It's a total humiliation, although I have managed to laugh about it with my husband so that I don't run and hide for the next 25 years. Fortunately, it's not "aromatic" LOL!!! It's just AIR!!!! What is happening?

I still cannot believe I'm not going to delete this before I post it. That just shows how desperate I am for information.

[MissAmethyst2U]

Lori, I have had probs with air like that too but only since starting CPAP. I guess it could linger a bit but not sure. Just know you aren't alone and sorry I couldnt be of more help...

[morphy]

FWIW-
I'm wondering if some of us learn to swallow "differently" when under cpap pressue and asleep and the learned behavior stays with one even when not under pressure and asleep. Maybe the "different swallowing" results in swallowing more air than when awake????
Just guessing -

[Barb (Seattle)]

I for one, am glad you didn't delete the post. Now I don't feel so alone Happens to me all the time, and hubby has not held back commenting about it. Sheesh, how embarassing. I think it's the pressure 12, cause I never had this problem before. My stomach actually kind of hurts in the morning

[Sleepless on LI]

Barb,

But I'm off the machine and it's STILL happening. What's a person to do?

[frostman]

Lori, you are embarassing me, you mean you have bad f...ts????

[Sleepless on LI]

Lori, you are embarassing me, you mean you have bad f...ts????

LOL!!! They're not "bad!!!" They're just a bit unruly...and inopportune...and unwelcomed...and annoying (shall I go on?).

[neversleeps]

I did a search-- googled 'cause of gas' and found this:

Everyone has gas and eliminates it by burping or passing it through the rectum. However, many people think they have too much gas when they really have normal amounts. Most people produce about 1 to 3 pints a day and pass gas about 14 times a day.

Gas is made primarily of odorless vapors-carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. The unpleasant odor of flatulence comes from bacteria in the large intestine that release small amounts of gases that contain sulfur.

Although having gas is common, it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Understanding causes, ways to reduce symptoms, and treatment will help most people find relief.

What Causes Gas?
Gas in the digestive tract (that is, the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine) comes from two sources:

Swallowed air

Breakdown of undigested foods

Which Foods Cause Gas?
Most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas. By contrast, fats and proteins cause little gas.

Sugars
The sugars that cause gas are: raffinose, lactose, fructose, and sorbitol.

Raffinose
Beans contain large amounts of this complex sugar. Smaller amounts are found in cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other vegetables, and whole grains.

Lactose
Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. It is also found in milk products, such as cheese and ice cream, and processed foods, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing. Many people, particularly those of African, Native American, or Asian background, have low levels of the enzyme lactase needed to digest lactose. Also, as people age, their enzyme levels decrease. As a result, over time people may experience increasing amounts of gas after eating food containing lactose.

Fructose
Fructose is naturally present in onions, artichokes, pears, and wheat. It is also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks and fruit drinks.

Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a sugar found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. It is also used as an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugarfree candies and gums.

Starches
Most starches, including potatoes, corn, noodles, and wheat, produce gas as they are broken down in the large intestine. Rice is the only starch that does not cause gas.

Fiber
Many foods contain soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. Found in oat bran, beans, peas, and most fruits, soluble fiber is not broken down until it reaches the large intestine where digestion causes gas.

Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, passes essentially unchanged through the intestines and produces little gas. Wheat bran and some vegetables contain this kind of fiber.


The most common ways to reduce the discomfort of gas are changing diet, taking medicines, and reducing the amount of air swallowed.

Diet

Doctors may tell people to eat fewer foods that cause gas. However, for some people this may mean cutting out healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and milk products.

Doctors may also suggest limiting high-fat foods to reduce bloating and discomfort. This helps the stomach empty faster, allowing gases to move into the small intestine.

Unfortunately, the amount of gas caused by certain foods varies from person to person. Effective dietary changes depend on learning through trial and error how much of the offending foods one can handle.

Nonprescription medicines
Many nonprescription, over-the-counter medicines are available to help reduce symptoms, including antacids with simethicone and activated charcoal. Digestive enzymes, such as lactase supplements, actually help digest carbohydrates and may allow people to eat foods that normally cause gas.

Antacids, such as Mylanta II, Maalox II and Di-Gel, contain simethicone, a foaming agent that joins gas bubbles in the stomach so that gas is more easily belched away. However, these medicines have no effect on intestinal gas. The recommended dose is 2 to 4 tablespoons of the simethicone preparation taken 1/2 to 2 hours after meals.

Activated charcoal tablets (Charcocaps) may provide relief from gas in the colon. Studies have shown that when taken before and after a meal, intestinal gas is greatly reduced. The usual dose is 2 to 4 tablets taken just before eating and 1 hour after meals.

The enzyme lactase, which aids with lactose digestion, is available in liquid and tablet form without a prescription (Lactaid, Lactrase, and Dairy Ease). Adding a few drops of liquid lactase to milk before drinking it or chewing lactase tablets just before eating helps digest foods that contain lactose. Also, lactose-reduced milk and other products are available at many grocery stores (Lactaid and Dairy Ease).

Beano, a newer over-the-counter digestive aid, contains the sugar-digesting enzyme that the body lacks to digest the sugar in beans and many vegetables. The enzyme comes in liquid form. Three to 10 drops are added per serving just before eating to break down the gas-producing sugars. Beano has no effect on gas caused by lactose or fiber.

Source: Gas In The Digestive Tract

So for intestinal gas, looks like charcoal tablets are the way to go...

[Snoozie]

Ok, guess I am a little confused. Aerophagia is the art of swallowing air thus resulting in belching. Can be caused by rapid eating, or in my case talking too much while eating while with friends. Also has happened with my CPap just once, and I don't know why. It even caused some heartburn, which I never get! However, I think Frostman is implying flatulence. Now, which is it, LOL. Hope it gets better for you, whichever it is.

[Sleepless on LI]

Snoozie,

All I can say, being the author of this post, I was referring to the inconvenient escapes of air other than burps (how tactful was that???). Even though I stopped the machine, it remains a problem. It wasn't before CPAP, and my best friend used to be amazed that after being with my husband for decades, that was something I just wasn't comfortable "sharing" with him. But now I don't seem to have much choice. Thought it would disappear after being off the machine, but the lady-like problem still remains. I don't know what to do.

Neversleeps,

As usual, you have some research and links for the puzzled and frustrated, me in this case. I am wondering if all this yogurt I eat now since I've been watching my diet could have something to do with it. I thank goodness that unless you hear it, it is undetectible, although it's usually detected lately!!! I cannot believe I am the author of this inappropriate thread. What have I sunk to???

Thanks for your info. But I didn't think birdies with blue feet suffered from this problem...must be all the fish they eat.

[frostman]

They're not "bad!!!" They're just a bit unruly...and inopportune...and unwelcomed...and annoying (shall I go on?).

Lori, this post could out do the stiff hose one. Does the hot blooded italian wear a mask during these episodes

[Sleepless on LI]

Lori, this post could out do the stiff hose one. Does the hot blooded italian wear a mask during these episodes

Hey, I'm honest, blunt and have no pride whatsoever!!!

Are we referring, when we say "hot blooded Italian," to my husband or me???

[elliejose]

Lori,

Neversleep's post just kind of confirmed what was going to be my thought.
Didn't you change your diet and eating habits about the same time you went on cpap? And are you continuing this? May be something in your diet causing this? Just a thought.

[frostman]

Hey, I'm honest, blunt and have no pride whatsoever!!!

Are we referring, when we say "hot blooded Italian," to my husband or me???

_________________

Well, after your weight loss program it is probably you

[Sleepless on LI]

Josie,

Very good point. I am continuing on the same eating plan which is healthy, and I guess vegies and some of the dairy products can cause this problem. I thank goodness that are not the "bacterial" type that Neversleeps' post spoke of, and I'm sure my hubs is glad, too...



Frostman,

I am not the hot blooded Italian, with or without weight, since I am only Italian by marriage. But after you're with an Italian man for 30 years, you kind of have it rub off a little on you. I've been making sauce now on Sundays for what feels like centuries!!! Hey, maybe it's all the garlic...