Hiatial Hernia and Sleep Apnea

I was wondering if anyone has access to info on whether there is a connection between having a hiatial hernia and that being the cause of sleep apnea. I see some posts about CPAP causing a hiatial hernia but not the other way around. I am actually interested in any info related to cpap and sleep apnea and hiatial hernias. TIA.

both are physical conditions. i have both and don't see any connection.

greatunclebill wrote:both are physical conditions. i have both and don't see any connection.

I see. I was wondering if the hernia limits breathing and if lung capacity increases if it's cleared up.

i don't see how. all it is is a defective sphincter valve at the bottom of the esophagus.

Apnea is not about limited breathing, or at least not from that area, but about obstruction (ie your tongue or internal throat tissue blocking air passage) in your upper airway, which is why Cpap is designed to keep it more open.

Haven't read about CPAP actually causing a hiatal hernia, but those with a hiatal hernia MAY be more susceptible to the air from CPAP getting into their stomach. I have read that untreated sleep apnea can play a role in pushing stomach fluids up into the esophagus. Maybe this could damage that sphincter? I do have a small hiatal hernia, and the problems from it have improved with CPAP. But the degree of herniation is not the same in everyone so one person's experience is likely far different from another's.

greatunclebill wrote:i don't see how. all it is is a defective sphincter valve at the bottom of the esophagus.

it’s plausible that the lower part of the stomach can slide up into the chest cavity

http://doctorstevenpark.com/can-sleep-a ... s#comments

Dr. Park has a fascinating blog. I just found it and am in the process of reading all of it.

Some of the comments to the referenced entry are fascinating.

But I can't get to the Dr before the next year.

I can't sleep....
Cpap makes air go into my tummy I cant manage to make air not go into my tummy. As I'm laying there, I can feel and hear it bubbling down going in there.

I droped my pressure down to 10cm. if the Dr's office has a problem with that, they can start a 24/7 service department.

I took my temazapam and im still awake.
Once I burp and fart some more ill try to go to sleep again.

I'm tired I want to go to sleep and breat.

Just venting
Any suggestions until I can get to call /talk to the dr. would be nice.

What about raising the head of your bed? My hernia and my OSA were caused by my weight and both improved by losing weight and not eating for a few hours before lying down.

Just thinking this through a little further. I know a hiatal hernia can be caused by sudden stress or pressure on the diaphragm. In retrospect I know the instant when mine happened, although at the time I didn't know exactly what had happened. Mine happened during a spell of violent prolonged coughing. Just wondering if the pressure of things that happen during an apnea event could be traumatic enough to tear the diaphragm? Hmmmm.