But it’s possible for you to expect someside effectsfrom using the equipment, including gassiness.
Sleep apnea is common.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause tiredness and irritability during the day.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
An air blower gently forces air through the nose and/or mouth.
The air pressure is set to prevent the upper airway tissues from collapsing during sleep.
This treatment works with very few side effects.
A downside is that the pumped air can enter the stomach.
Symptoms of aerophagia include:
These symptoms often are minor and tolerable.
If it continues, you’ll probably want to find ways to manage it.
Causes
CPAP works by providing a constant flow of air that keeps the upper airway open.
The airway includes thetrachea, which leads to thebronchiand lungs.
The opening that leads to the esophagus and stomach sits near the entrance to the trachea.
This doesn’t interfere with how effectively your CPAP machine is working to treat your sleep apnea.
But it can lead to gassiness.
You may experience aerophagia in other ways in your daily life.
Drinking fizzy, carbonated beverages can cause you to swallow too much air.
So can eating too fast, chewing gum, and using a straw.
Treatments to Reduce CPAP Gas
There are different ways to decrease CPAP gas.
In some cases, basic lifestyle adjustments can work.
There are several factors that contribute to excess gas that have nothing to do with your CPAP machine.
Changing certain daily habits may help to manage excess gas.
You might also speak to your healthcare provider to see if you are on any medications that cause gassiness.
If medication or lifestyle changes don’t make you more comfortable, consider these other options.
Awedge pillowcan be placed on top of or under the mattress, depending on its design.
Some people opt for an adjustable bed, but this option can be expensive.
Another idea: Raise the head of the bed with blocks placed under the mattress.
Whatever you do, ensure to fully support your head, neck, shoulders, and upper body.
Treat Your Heartburn
Consider the possibility that you may have untreated heartburn orgastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD).
It is not uncommon for the GERD to contribute to aerophagia.
The lower part of the esophagus has a muscular ring called the lower esophagealsphincter.
A weak sphincter can also allow air to get into the stomach when you use a CPAP machine.
Some over-the-counterheartburn remediescan provide relief of heartburn and other gas symptoms:
Speak with your healthcare provider first.
None of these options is meant for long-term use.
Passing gas naturally (through burping or farting) often solves the issue.
Try a Different throw in of PAP unit
Different types of breathing devices are available.
A different kind of treatment called autotitrating positive airway pressure or APAP is available in addition to CPAP.
APAP machines automatically adjust the amount of air pressure applied while you are sleeping based on your changing needs.
A 2017 study published in theJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicinecompared CPAP to APAP in people who experience aerophagia.
They found that APAP therapy was better at reducing aerophagia symptoms to help people maintain consistency with their treatment.
Does it make a difference if the mask covers only the nose instead of both my nose and mouth?
The same 2017 study that investigated APAP versus CPAP also looked at different mask options.
But sometimes, excessive gassiness is the result of getting too much air when pressure controls are too high.
You should not change pressure controls on your CPAP on your own.
There are different ways to determine the right pressure for your CPAP controls.
Some tests are administered in a clinical setting.
But there are some home tests that are also available.
Home tests are more convenient but can be less reliable because they rely on the accuracy of self-reporting.
Summary
For many people, CPAP therapy can help relieve sleep apnea.
However, it can pump air into the stomach, known as aerophagia.
This extra air must go somewhere, and it usually escapes through burping, belching, or passing gas.
If these symptoms are bothersome, consult your healthcare provider for guidance on how to manage them.
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