Aerophagia

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Definition

The word "phage" in Greek means "to eat." Aerophagia is literally to eat air. In the modern context, it means swallowing too much air, a common cause of gas in the stomach and belching.

This is sometimes a result of CPAP Therapy. Unfortunately, the best solutions for this problem are not a catch all but instead an attempt to find the middle ground between needed CPAP pressures.

Note: The correct term for air in the digestive system due to the use of CPAP or ventilators is "gastric insufflation". However, the use of the term "aerophagia" is so ingrained in this forum that it is accepted as correct. When speaking with medical professionals, you should remember to say "gastric insufflation".

What You Can Do

1. Tell your CPAP prescribing physician. It may be better to decrease the CPAP level a bit and put up with some minor airway problems if we can significantly decrease the bloating. Sometimes this works great, sometimes not at all.

2. As the chin of a CPAP user nears the chest, air has a greater change of entering the digestive tract. Where possible, keep chin up in relation to torso.

3. Sleeping in a position different than normal helps keep the air out of the stomach. Try different sleeping positions. Left side, right side, inclined with pillows, or flat.

4. Try a bed wedge to sleep with the head elevated.

5. Try a custom CPAP pillow, neck pillow or memory foam pillow.

6. Try an APAP machine. If already on APAP, reduce your top pressure, as long as your AHI (apnea hypopnea index) continues to remain low; or try the straight CPAP mode.

7. Try a BiPAP machine or auto BiPAP machine.

8. Have a gastroenterologist examine your lower esophageal sphincter -- it is this that is letting air into you stomach, and sometimes it needs medical or surgical intervention. Silent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (a return of acid for you stomach to you nasal cavity that you don't even feel) is a known cause of congestion and sleep disruption, and having it properly treated helps in improving your sleep quality -- including a reduction of AHI.

CPAPTalk.com member Ozij has this to say about treating Aerophagia.

If these fail, It may be that you should consider a surgical alternative to CPAP. Many have tried all sorts of other solutions to this bloating problem with little success.

This may be a temporary condition as you adjust to xPAP or a new mask, or it may be recurring or ongoing. Symptoms range from being painful to being merely socially embarrassing. See your doctor to rule out other related digestive disorders.

Coping With Aerophagia

1. Drink carbonated water or a fizzy beverage in the morning to help belch out gas.

2. Use wind-relieving yoga postures that compress your abdomen in the privacy of your bathroom or boudoir.

3. For digestive gas in the stomach, try over-the-counter simethicone products like Gas-X.

4. For digestive gas in the intestines, try over-the-counter activated charcoal tablets.

5. Take steps to establish a regular morning bowel habit to avoid embarrassment later in the morning.