Why Can Cpap Cause Gas Or Stomach Bloating And How To Prevent It
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, a CPAP machine can improve your sleeping habits and your quality of everyday life dramatically. The CPAP machine will counter the harmful effects of sleep apnea that includes oxygen level to drop and awakenings by sending positive airflow pressure through a CPAP mask to keep the air passages open during sleep.
When tolerated, CPAP therapy is very effective in preventing sleep apnea. However, it is not always without side effects. A common complaint associated with using a CPAP machine is swallowing air, which can lead to a feeling of fullness and discomfort, including unwanted gasses that cause belching and farting. This air in the stomach is also called aerophagy, literally means swallowing air or eating air.
What Causes Gas Bloating And Belching
Most people have had excess gas, bloating, or belching. Sometimes these symptoms can cause problems or pain.
Bloating is a sensation of belly fullness. Sometimes your belly looks bigger, but not always. People with bloating do not necessarily have too much gas in their stomach, but they are often much more sensitive to stomach symptoms.
Belching is usually caused by swallowing too much air, eating or drinking too fast, drinking carbonated or caffeinated drinks, smoking, or a nervous habit.
Flatulence is the release of excess gas in the colon. It is usually related to your diet.
Most of the time, one or more of these disordersirritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, or chronic constipationare the cause of gas, bloating, and belching.
Gas, bloating, and belching are not typical symptoms of cancer or other dangerous conditions, even if you also have abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. However, you should let your doctor know if you are losing weight, having fevers, or bleeding. These symptoms can be more serious.
Although anxiety, depression, and stressful life events do not cause these conditions, they may make the symptoms worse and harder to treat.
The 2 Day Grain Free Test
Even if your digestive system doesnt have an obvious reaction to the fructans and gluten in wheat products, your body will appreciate a break from the energy level roller coaster that generally accompanies eating processed grain foods.
Cutting out foods with wheat for a little while usually removes most of the unhealthy and fattening foods from your diet. Many people are amazed at how good they feel after just a couple of days of wheat-free meals.
Even if you dont feel like you can do this permanently, its simple to switch from breakfast cereals to eggs, from sandwiches to a salmon or turkey salad and from fattening pasta to healthy protein and mixed low gas vegetables for a couple of days.
When you do, really notice how youre feeling on those days. If youre like most people, your energy levels will be much more stable, your mental focus clearer and youll be far less likely to experience digestive issues.
Youll also be less hungry and more satisfied with your meals without processed carbohydrates. You may well feel so good that you want to try this experiment again the following day.
This article has a list of Smart Food Swaps, covering all of the potential dietary causes of excessive gas covered so far and their low gas alternatives. You can use this as a simple reference guide to a healthier and much less gassy diet.
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Diseases Causing Increased Gas
Most people with gas-related symptoms have increased sensitivity to gas or have one of the causes of increased gas production mentioned above. However, occasionally these symptoms can be caused by diseases of the bowel. Sometimes, the illness can be short-lived. For example, acute gastroenteritis , often caused by infection with a virus, can result in a short-term condition associated with increased gas.
Occasionally, gas-related symptoms can be features of long-term diseases. All of them can cause at least one gas-related symptom .
Examples include:
Coeliac diseaseCoeliac disease is caused by intolerance to a protein called gluten which is found in certain foods containing wheat, barley and rye. It principally affects the part of the gut called the small intestine. It can occur at any age. Symptoms are relieved by avoiding gluten-containing foods. See the separate leaflet called Coeliac Disease.
DiverticulitisDiverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the wall of the large bowel become infected. See the separate leaflet called Diverticula .
Short bowel syndromeShort bowel syndrome can be a complication of bowel surgery. If more than half the small bowel is removed during surgery this can cause difficulties in food absorption.
GiardiasisThis is caused by infection with a germ called giardia. One of the symptoms is belching up foul-smelling gas.
Why Is My Stomach Bloated
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it can be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
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How To Reduce Intestinal Gas When Eating Nuts
While nuts may cause gas and bloat, they are still considered a nutrient-dense food that gives you various health benefits. So you should not avoid them unless your condition doesnt permit or your doctor advises otherwise.
A simple yet effective way of decreasing gas when consuming nuts is to ensure you eat them in moderation and within the recommended serving per day.
Controlling your nuts intake daily would help prevent you from overconsuming gas-causing substances like fiber, GOS, phytates, and tannins.
The American Heart Associations suggest consuming a small handful or about 1.5 oz of whole nuts or 2 tbsp of nut butter per day.
Food/Nutrition tips: According to the US Food and Drug Administration, consuming 1.5 oz of macadamia nuts every day may help lower the risk of coronary heart disease.
Also, you should opt for processed, heated, fermented, boiled, soaked, or sprouted nuts since they have a much lesser amount of antinutrients and are easier to digest.
In addition, gastroenterology and nutrition experts recommend eating a small portion of gas-causing food each day to help the bacteria grow and adapt, which results in lesser gas.
Over-the-counter anti-gas supplements like this one may also help reduce the symptoms. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any supplement or medication.
Rule Out Food Allergies And Intolerances To Common Foods
Food allergies and intolerances are relatively common.
When you eat foods that you are intolerant to, it can cause excess gas production, bloating and other symptoms.
Here are some common foods and ingredients to consider:
- Lactose: Lactose intolerance is associated with many digestive symptoms, including bloating. Lactose is the main carbohydrate in milk (
- 14 ).
Both lactose and fructose are a part of a larger group of indigestible carbs or fiber known as FODMAPs. FODMAP intolerance is one of the most common causes of bloating and abdominal pain.
If you strongly suspect that you have a food allergy or intolerance, see a doctor.
Summary
Food allergies and intolerances are common causes of bloating. Common offenders include lactose, fructose, wheat, gluten and eggs.
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Laboratory And Structural Testing
Laboratory tests facilitate exclusion of organic disease. In addition to standard hematology and chemistry determinations to screen for inflammatory or mucosal processes, thyroid chemistries or fasting cortisol levels are indicated in some individuals. Serologic testing for celiac disease is performed in patients with appropriate ethnic backgrounds or in those with IBS-like symptoms, due to the increased prevalence of celiac sprue in these populations. Other serologies of value in selected cases include antinuclear antibodies and scleroderma antibodies to evaluate for collagen vascular disease and antinuclear neuronal antibodies to screen for paraneoplastic visceral neuropathy. Stool analysis for Giardia may be indicated in some patients with diarrhea.
Imaging tests may be performed to distinguish mechanical obstruction from functional gas retention. Flat and upright abdominal radiographs may show diffuse distention with ileus, haziness in ascites, or air-fluid levels with obstruction. Contrast enema radiography detects distal obstruction, whereas small intestinal contrast studies or CT scanning can characterize partial proximal obstruction. Ultrasound or CT can also further delineate extraluminal processes contributing to gaseous symptoms.
Bloating: Causes And Prevention Tips
How often do you hear yourself or friends complain about bloating? We often just say were bloated when we feel full, but for many women, the problem relates to a chronic underlying condition. If you feel bloated often, you may have a condition like irritable bowel syndrome , which affects up to 24 percent of women.
Linda Lee, M.D., explains common causes of bloating and what you can do to prevent this uncomfortable condition.
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What Is A Bloated Stomach
A bloated stomach is first and foremost a feeling of tightness, pressure or fullness in your belly. It may or may not be accompanied by a visibly distended abdomen. The feeling can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful. It usually goes away after a while, but for some people, its a recurring problem. Digestive issues and hormone fluctuations can cause cyclical bloating. If your bloated stomach doesnt go away, you should seek medical care to determine the cause.
Reasons Why You Feel Bloated All The Time
Being bloated is no fun, and weve all been there. Whether it was an ice cream sundae bar or Chinese buffet, theres been a time that we just ate too much and had to loosen the belt a few notches just to get some extra relief. However, bloating can happen for a number of reasonssome not related to foodand Matt Hoffman, FNP, clinical assistant professor with the Texas A& M College of Nursing, breaks down why youre feeling uncomfortable and a little extra puffy in your midsection.
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It Could Be Constipation
While youre spending a lot of time at home, you may not be moving as much as you usually do. You may also be eating different foods. This can lead to constipation. You may be constipated if you experience:
- Fewer bowel movements than normal for you
- Stool that is lumpy or looks like pebbles
- Difficulty passing stool or a feeling that you still need to go after youre finished
Fortunately, you can make a number of at-home changes to help relieve your constipation. These include:
The Problem With Gluten
The most serious issue associated with eating foods with gluten is celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that damages the intestines, hampers nutrient absorption and can even be life-threatening.
Beyond the small percentage of true celiacs within the population, more and more people appear to be suffering from a negative reaction to gluten in their diet.
Gluten intolerance leads to your body treating undigested gluten proteins, like gliadin, as foreign invaders. This irritates your intestinal lining and can be the source of many digestive issues.
It can also damage the delicate microvillus in your small intestine that are responsible for absorbing the nutrients you need from your food.
With decreased nutrient absorption, deficiencies become more common and symptoms like fatigue, anemia, nausea, skin complaints and depression are associated with gluten sensitivity and intolerance.
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Why You Need More Than Digestive Enzymes
There is no doubt about it enzymes are important especially as you get older. After the age of 35 our bodies production of enzymes drops making us more reliant on enzymes from other sources. However, enzymes alone cannot balance our digestive system.
All digestive disorders including bloating, constipation and yeast infections are the result of an imbalanced digestive system. An imbalance occurs when your system is overrun with disease causing bacteria, toxins and parasites.
Once your digestive tract becomes toxic enzyme supplements have little to no effect because they will not survive such a highly acidic environment. Picture it like this, enzymes are like putting a roof on a house without a foundation.
If you want to experience true digestive health you need to kill the overgrowth of harmful bacteria while at the same time, strengthen your good bacteria. Once the balance between good and bad bacteria is restored the functions of digestion, absorption and the elimination of waste, bacteria and toxins improves immensely.
What Are The Possible Causes Of Swallowing Air Using A Cpap Machine
Possible causes of aerophagy include:
The pressure is set too high: Your CPAP pressure may be set too high or higher than you need. The extra air you get cannot go anywhere but into your esophagus and then into your stomach.
The pressure is set too low: Maybe your pressures set too low if its not enough to fix your apnea episodes. If you try to get more air into your lungs, you end up swallowing air quickly, which is forced into your esophagus instead.
Nose congestion: Allergies, a cold or flu, can cause nasal congestion. If you have a blocked nose, you may not be able to get the right CPAP air pressure, so swallow the air with your mouth, and it will go down your esophagus.
Mouth breathing: You may be a mouth breather and wear a traditional nasal mask. If your mouth opens during sleep, the CPAP device may not be able to deliver air to your lungs so that the air will escape through your mouth. Your apnea episodes are not corrected, so in your unconscious panic, you may suddenly feel a choking sensation and inhale the air quickly and push it down your esophagus.
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Surprising Foods That Give You Bloating And Gas
4 minute read time
It isnt something that most of us like to talk about but the reality is, nearly everyone gets bloating and/or gas. For most people, this is just a normal, healthy, and relatively undisruptive fact of life a natural result of foods being broken down and digested by the body.
However, some people may find that certain foods give them an uncomfortable amount of bloating and/or gas. This could be accompanied by stomach upset, which in some cases can even be painful. Many might not realise that a particular food is causing the issue, or may be too embarrassed to bring up the problem. As such, the problem food will continue to be eaten, causing more discomfort.
If you think a food might be causing you problems, but cant quite put your finger on what, weve put together some unexpected foods that can give you bloating and/or gas. Take a look at the list below.
Diarrhea Constipation And Smelly Feces
Individuals with celiac disease experience inflammation in the small intestine after eating gluten.
This damages the gut lining and leads to poor nutrient absorption, resulting in significant digestive discomfort and frequent diarrhea or constipation (
That suggests that gluten exposure on its own may induce feelings of depression, irrespective to digestive symptoms.
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Swallowing Too Much Air
Most people think of taking in air when they inhale, but it can also be done a number of other ways. Common daily habitssuch as drinking from a straw, chewing gum and eating too quicklyare ways to add air into your digestive tract instead of your respiratory system.
When you swallow too much air you can start to feel bloated, Hoffman said. If its becoming a problem, start cutting out gum and straws and see if that helps eases your symptoms.
When To See A Doctor
You may need medical assistance if bloating and flatulence persist for days or weeks, despite proper dietary and lifestyle modifications.
If your stomach feels unusually heavy, full, and tight for a prolonged period and the problem fails to subside even after adopting a healthy lifestyle and good food habits, it can be a warning bell for some major health disorders, such as:
- Kidney ailments
- Stools that are dark red or maroon in color
- Is it natural to have some amount of bloating and flatulence?
- Is the problem completely resolvable?
- Can I change my diet to decrease bloating?
- What effective preventive measures help with extra gaseousness?
- What is the specific reason behind my flatulence?
- For how long have you experienced bloating?
- Do you have any concurrent disease or medical condition?
- Are you on any medication?
- Are you trying any special diet?
- If not, what are your dietary habits?
- Are you pregnant?
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Dont Eat Too Much At A Time
Being stuffed can feel like being bloated, but the problem is that you simply ate too much.
If youre eating big meals and tend to feel uncomfortable afterward, then try smaller portions. Add another daily meal if necessary.
A subset of people who experience bloating dont really have an enlarged stomach or increased pressure in the abdomen. The issue is mostly sensory .
A person with a tendency to be bloated will experience discomfort from a smaller amount of food than a person who rarely feels bloated.
For this reason, simply eating smaller meals can be incredibly useful.
Chewing your food better can have a two-fold effect. It reduces the amount of air you swallow with the food , and it also makes you eat slower, which is linked to reduced food intake and smaller portions .
Summary
People who experience bloating often have increased sensitivity to food in the stomach. Therefore, eating smaller meals can be very useful.
Can Bloating Be Prevented Or Avoided
There are many ways to prevent and avoid bloating:
- Avoid the foods that are known to cause gas. These include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, beans, and lentils.
- Avoid chewing gum.
- Avoid using straws for drinking.
- Reduce or avoid drinking carbonated drinks .
- Reduce or avoid eating and drinking foods that include fructose or sorbitol. These artificial sweeteners are often found in sugar-free foods.
- Eat slowly.
- Eat more foods high in fiber to prevent constipation. If foods alone dont help, consider taking a fiber supplement.
- Avoid dairy products if you notice they cause gas and bloating.
- Quit smoking.
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