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CPAP aerophagia and diverticulitis
I have been using Cpap/Bipap macines for sleep apnea sporadically for 25 years. Not sure why I swallow air (aerophagia) while using the machine but it's enough to where I would wake in the middle of the night with gas pains and stomach bloating. I think it may have also contributed to my umbilical hernia. I stopped for some years and then was diagnosed with a-fib in 2019, which they think may be caused by sleep apnea, among other things. I started back on a Bipap machine, did not suffer stomach pain or bloating but a few months later ended up in the ER with diverticulitis (with a microperforation). Over the last 3 years I have a few minor episodes of diverticulitis and surgery has been mentioned. Since my episodes were in different areas of the colon, surgical removal may involve most or all of the colon.
I'm curious if anyone else with diverticulitis has used Cpap for sleep apnea? And did you experience aerophagia?
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Wow what timing! Husband waiting to get his Luna bipap after two studies showing “central “ sleep issues and on a pet scan for prostate cancer(no treatment yet) it showed he had diverticulitis and after he eats he goes to the bathroom! I’m gonna read all the posts here often we lay people figure it out ourselves!!
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2 ReactionsI first used a Cpap machine 3 years ago. The first 3 months of using it I felt great, almost as if a fog was lifted from my brain that I didn’t even know existed. Then after 3 months I started belching excessively, and I started getting painful bloating. I continued using the machine off and on for several months, but I eventually stopped all together because the belching and bloating continued and I was extremely uncomfortable. Fast forward to 2025, I now have been using a bipap machine for 7 days and the same symptoms are back. I messaged my doctor to see if he will adjust the pressures. If that doesn’t work I don’t think I’ll continue using it. Can Cpap and bipap machines cause heartburn or acid reflux?
Hi, @c912l - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is not fun having painful bloating and belching. I've had these from other medications and medical issues, and they were challenging.
In addition to this discussion in the Connect Digestive Health support group, you might check out the Sleep Health support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/sleep-health/. You may wish to start a new discussion in this group to see if CPAP and BiPAP users have had any gastrointestinal symptoms with using their machines, or you might participate in one of these existing discussions:
- CPAP problem
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-problem/
- CPAP aerophagia and diverticulitis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-aerophagia-and-diverticulitis/
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1 ReactionI have both Sleep Apnea and Center Sleep Apnea, does this disqualify me for Inspiret? Are there other disqualifiers for the implant?
Welcome @babysmom, From what I've read, I don't believe Inspire Therapy implant helps with Central Sleep Apnea. Here's more information that talks about another type of implant that may help.
"Surgery or other procedures
A newer therapy for central sleep apnea is transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation. A device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration known as Remede System delivers an electrical pulse to the nerve that controls the diaphragm during sleep. This causes you to take a breath. The system includes a battery-powered pulse generator that's implanted under the skin in the upper chest."
-- Central sleep apnea: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/central-sleep-apnea/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352114
There is another discussion on the Remede implant that may be helpful:
-- Is there a forum for central sleep apnea patients with Remede implant:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-there-a-forum-for-central-sleep-apnea-patients-with-remede-implant/
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1 ReactionHi, @babysmom. You might check out and participate in this discussion for your question on this device:
- Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/inspire-upper-airway-stimulation/
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2 Reactionsthank you for taking the time to provide the info
Carol
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2 ReactionsThank you for your reply
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2 ReactionsHi @nealm
I stopped using a Cpap machine due to the constant belching and painful bloating I was experiencing. After another sleep study I am now on a bipap machine. I’m starting to experience the same issues. I have also noticed that after eating I get really bloated. Is this all connected? Or is it a coincidence that I feel extremely bloated after eating. Can the bipap machine cause stomach issues?