Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
#1
My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
I had struggled with the CPAP for around two years where I was in a catch-22 situation where either the pressure was too low, which did nothing for the apnea, or was too high, which caused all the air to be swallowed and again, doing nothing for my apnea with the addition of horrible bloating in the mornings. AHI's were low but it didn't feel good and was difficult to determine what caused my issues.

I first realized that my aerophagia happened regardless of whether or not I was asleep. I realized this by setting my CPAP to a static pressure of 8, which was enough to induce aerophagia even while laying awake. I then found that gently pushing a finger or two up against my Adam's apple (right in the middle, basically just under or at the bottom of the thyroid cartilage) was enough to manually hold my esophagus shut, preventing aerophagia entirely.

My next step to make this solution work in my sleep was to build something that would do the same thing. I had a cervical soft collar (https://www.amazon.com/Velpeau-Brace-Foa...072Q9QG68/), and a padded sleep mask https://www.amazon.com/Manta-Sleep-Mask-...B07PRG2CQY) laying around, so I used one of the velcro eye pads and stuck it to the center of the collar. This is so that when I tighten the collar around me, the pressure goes ONLY on my Adam's apple, and does not distribute pressure around my entire neck, which causes a stressful choking feeling for me. I will note that the two items combined cost $53, so I would try testing with fingers on the neck before buying anything.

Anyways, I basically just wear the thing around my neck so the pad is gently pressing against my Adam's apple and I can raise my pressure up to 10 without getting any aerophagia, which is enough to give me quality sleep. It's been quite successful for about a year now, though the one issue I've had is that if I don't wear it tightly enough it doesn't work (and I don't want it too tight). This doesn't happen often, as I can "sense" how much pressure I need to put on, but it probably takes some trial and error to get it just right (would probably make sense to make some sort of marking to indicate where to put the velcro on every time to it is more consistent, but it's not a pressing issue for me now).
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
Thanks, this is some good information! I'm a huge aerophagia sufferer, and can only take a pressure of 6.4 before things go south.

There was a similar topic recently where someone built a solution using an elastic band from a headlamp, but it could restrict blood flow as it puts pressure around the whole neck. Your solution seems less dangerous.

I'm interested if you (or others) could share a photo or two for reference.
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
I have a 3M Futuro collar which has a small velcro band on the front that goes right on Adam's apple. I'm thinking putting some kind of padding (folded paper?) behind the band to increase pressure on the region.

   
© 2024 3M
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
The Futuro velcro goes in the back, not the front. You are wearing it backwards.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
I'm talking about the chin adjustment strap shown in the picture.
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
Exclaimation 
RE: My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
That makes more sense. I never did understand why Futuro made it with an adjustable height that compressed the collar pushing it against the throat. I tried it but in the end just got a properly sized collar.

I am still trying to understand how adding pressure against the throat will impact aerophagia. Pushing against the front of the throat forcing the thyroid cartilage against the larynx does not seem a good idea as it seems to me it will be pushing it into the airway given enough pressure. 

The objective is to keep air from going down the esophagus leading to the stomach and to only go down the trachea. Pushing against the thyroid cartilage hard enough from the front to help block the esophagus would compress the trachea as well, which would seemingly cause flow limitations and potentially other issues. 

Any thoughts from anyone on how that works? It would be great if this helps people, but understanding why is important as it may have non-desired impacts.


Attached Files Thumbnail(s)
   
Post Reply Post Reply
#7
RE: My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
(09-04-2024, 08:29 AM)PeaceLoveAndPizza Wrote: Any thoughts from anyone on how that works? It would be great if this helps people, but understanding why is important as it may have non-desired impacts.

Considering this thread's observation and the previous one, too, I hypothesize that the reason behind its success lies in the fact that the esophagus's wall is soft while the trachea's wall is more rigid. Hence, slight pushing compresses the esophagus more. 

Otherwise, I still believe that the risk of using too high pressure, causing restricted inhalation and possible blood flow restriction, is not worth the risk.
Post Reply Post Reply
#8
RE: My solution to aerophagia with CPAP
PeaceLoveAndPizza,

I also wondered about the size adjustment. There aren't many off-the-shelf collars available in my city, so I opted for Futuro since it was readily available and inexpensive. Fortunately, it seems to be a reasonably good fit for experimenting in this context.

Regarding the relief mechanism, I found a study titled Prevention of Esophagopharyngeal Reflux by Augmenting the Upper Esophageal Sphincter Pressure Barrier. It discusses the concept and shows a simple prototype device used by the study's subjects. This prototype was later developed into a product called the Reza Band, but it is no longer available.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  First night - aerophagia issues kanikami 4 99 Yesterday, 01:42 PM
Last Post: Sleepster
  New to CPAP - Aerophagia? LFS9000 5 253 10-02-2024, 10:58 AM
Last Post: G. Szabo
  Bad Aerophagia - Help cyberfiche 4 332 09-22-2024, 01:50 PM
Last Post: cyberfiche
  ASV with Oxygen Drops, leaks and aerophagia redking2436 7 405 09-20-2024, 10:47 AM
Last Post: Jay51
  Fixed Aerophagia using a Halo style chin strap ISeekRem 0 206 09-01-2024, 03:45 AM
Last Post: ISeekRem
  Fix aerophagia for cheap VINEDIGGER 9 597 08-30-2024, 07:24 AM
Last Post: Jay Belmont
  Aerophagia while awake? donsburg 4 350 08-15-2024, 03:51 PM
Last Post: Motorheadrulz


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.