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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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Hi @hklucy123 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm curious about the connection between your CPAP and diverticulitis. What did the doctors you saw say about this? Did they see a link between these? If so, did they explain how this happens?
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1 ReactionSr. male, have experienced aerophasia, have severe diverticulosis, tortuous colon, severe obstructive sleep apnea, primarily mouth breather at night due to botched deviated septum surgery, use F20 full face mask, Resmed Airsense 11 machine nightly, bad osteoarthritis and severe constipation issues, take Linzess 290 and frequent water enemas to defecate. During recent colonoscopy blood pressure and oxygen level seriously reduced causing procedure to terminate. Have heart murmur, aortic stenosis, rbbb. Difficulty scoping me with pediatric scope in area hospital.
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1 ReactionI had to switch from full face to nasal cushion due to aerophagia - in spite of having worn full face without incident for years.
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1 ReactionI can see this is an older post. Let me start by saying that Resmed changed the elbow connection about a year ago.. I feel like I cannot exhale using the new elbow. I've been using cpap machine for 25 years. Never had a problem. In the past year, i've had diverticulitis 4 times. i'm getting it every 3 months. I've been to gastro dr, primary care dr, sleep dr. I truely believe the diverticulitis is being caused from not being able to exhale with the new design of the elbow connection.. but no one seems to believe it. I've since stopped using my cpap machine
hi, i'm experiencing the same thing. i've had diverticulitis 4 times the past year. getting it every 3 months. Resmed changed the elbow connection about a year ago. I know that is what is causing this. I feel like with the new elbow i'm unable to exhale.
@lisalucier hi, basically they don't believe it. I even emailed Resmed and they of course passed the buck. There really should be a study done.. what I feel is causing it is the elbow connection from the mask to the hose, a year ago Resmed changed the design of it.. I feel like I cannot exhale and the air is being trapped in my colon. I've since stopped using my cpap machine to see if I get it again.
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1 ReactionI have a Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis (precancerous condition of lower esophagus caused by GERD) and my cpap gave me bloating/gas/stomach pain. I changed to bipap, and it was even worse until I got my doctor to turn down the pressure. Now it's ok, no bloating, and the doctor says it is as low a pressure as it will go 8/5 (or 5/8, I forget which) but I sometimes do not sleep as deeply as I would like.