How to avoid swallowing air?

I swallow air every night while on CPAP. A lot of air. I wake up painfully bloated each morning. It all makes its way out...eventually...in the usual way. But it's not fun, and I'd like to avoid it if possible.

Any ideas?

Use the forum search bar to look up aerophagia - it's been discussed here a lot and I'm sure you can get info, and then ask more questions if you have any.

There's also the cpap wiki which has some information.
wiki/index.php/Aerophagia
If you are using a ResMed machine now and not using EPR you could maybe add EPR and that would make the machine work like a bilevel machine and it might help. Not as ideal as the bilevels that offer more than 3 cm difference between inhale and exhale but if you aren't using EPR now...might be enough relief offered with EPR.

MamaGeek wrote:I swallow air every night while on CPAP. A lot of air. I wake up painfully bloated each morning. It all makes its way out...eventually...in the usual way. But it's not fun, and I'd like to avoid it if possible.

Any ideas?

In addition to the other suggestions, you could try sleeping on your left side (if you're not already). That will keep your stomach opening toward the top.

It can be a "hint" of GERD and/or a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

https://www.google.com/search?q=les+sto ... 8&oe=utf-8


Den

.

I had the same issue, I use the EPR and it didn't help at a starting pressure higher than 10. I bought a wedge and that did not help me at all. My optimum starting pressure would be 12 if I get around swallowing air, since I can't I keep my starting pressure at 10.

FYI Search found 6597 matches: +aerophagia , when someone tells me to search this site, I find it much easier to do an internet search.

Good Luck

Thanks for the replies.

I have a history of GERD. I had Nissen Fundoplication surgery a year ago that cured it, at least for now. But it means that gas in my stomach is more painful than it was before.

My husband sleeps on my left, and doesn't like the air blowing on him from the exhalation vents, so I always sleep on my right or my back. Maybe it's time to switch sides...

I do use exhalation relief, maybe I'll try setting it higher. I have it at "MED" now.

MamaGeek wrote:Thanks for the replies.

I have a history of GERD. I had Nissen Fundoplication surgery a year ago that cured it, at least for now. But it means that gas in my stomach is more painful than it was before.

My husband sleeps on my left, and doesn't like the air blowing on him from the exhalation vents, so I always sleep on my right or my back. Maybe it's time to switch sides...

I do use exhalation relief, maybe I'll try setting it higher. I have it at "MED" now.

Over the years of observing these discussions, there is no "right" way of setting the exhale relief to minimize it. Some people do better with a higher level of exhale relief and some do better with a lower one......or even turned off.

But, try switching sides and see if that helps. If it does, you know you're on the right path.

Some people have found benefit by raising the head of their bed several inches, too.

Best of luck.

Den

.

I noticed a reduction in Aerophagia symptoms when I switched to nasal pillows from a full face mask.

Jay Aitchsee wrote:I noticed a reduction in Aerophagia symptoms when I switched to nasal pillows from a full face mask.

That is interesting to me as I had less aerophagia when I switched from the P10 nasal pillows to the N10 nasal mask.