The Apnea > Bowel Movement Connection

[Feeling Bowelicious]

I was recently diagnosed with apnea and started on my CPAP this month. The thing that shocked me even more than the extra energy I have is the improvement in my bowel movements. Almost immediately I noticed a marked improvement both in texture and regularity.

Why isn't this information out there in the CPAP literature? Is big pharma behind suppressing information about the apnea bowel movement connection because if people knew they could get better bowel movements by using a CRAP machine they would not pay for expensive drugs to fix the issue?

[Goofproof]

Are you sure you have the mask on the correct end! Jim

[SleepyCarey]

I have to agree, I noticed a difference right away. Without going into too much detail, my movements became.. um, more.. solid and in fact so solid often they've been a little painful to pass.

Wondering if anyone else has noticed the same?

[Julie]

If the rest of you gets to move more because you're awake, stands to reason that certain parts of you will also get going.

[Gasper62]

CPAP didn't change my bowel routine but, it sure did stop my nocturia ! (repeatedly getting up to pee at night)

[Goofproof]

CPAP didn't change my bowel routine but, it sure did stop my nocturia ! (repeatedly getting up to pee at night)

Ditto.

[BlackSpinner]

Proper sleep helps all of your organs - including the digestive ones.

[OkyDoky]

I also was surprised that this was another positive effect of CPAP treatment. But then I had no idea of the many complications apnea can cause. When waking up several times a night our bodies experience an increase of stress hormones which becomes detrimental as a chronic condition.

Here is a comment from Mayo Clinic.
The long-term activation of the stress-response system — and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones — can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including:

Anxiety
Depression
Digestive problems
Heart disease
Sleep problems
Weight gain
Memory and concentration impairment

If you want to read the rest here is the link. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifes ... t-20046037

[chunkyfrog]

For those needing another reason to smile, look up "Squatty Potty"
I hear some nursing homes use them.

[sptrout]

For those needing another reason to smile, look up "Squatty Potty"
I hear some nursing homes use them.

Actually, they work very well. The website for Squatty Potty describes how squatting is really how humans are supposed to go (relaxes a key internal muscle). Also, large populations of the planet squat; have no idea what to do with a toilet. I have had family members in 7 nursing homes and never saw a squatty potty. Most residents would be happy to just to not have to wear adult diapers. It gets very sad in nursing homes and it is only going to go down hill with so many baby boomers moving in the next few years. Here in Houston, I think that there are more nursing homes than hotels. Well, maybe not......yet.