[Symptoms] acid reflux

[navy veteran 1968]

Does using a cpap machine cause acid reflux?

Regards

[AlanE]

Normally no. It has been known to prevent it. With some people though, they swallow air while using CPAP. This is called Aerophagia. The burping of this excess air can bring with it stomach acids.

If this is happening to you, you can try raising your head up a bit or the head of the bed. Speak with your doctor to see if the pressure may be too high. You can also enable aflex or pressure relief. This has been known to help.

[nelamvr6]

I used to have acid reflux so bad that even water would give me bad heartburn. Prilosec changed my life. I highly recommend it.

But if you have frequent heartburn you really need to see your doctor. If heartburn persists long enough you can get Barrett's esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition.

Your doctor will want to talk to you about getting an endoscopy on your esophagus.

[archangle]

Does using a cpap machine cause acid reflux?

Regards

No. Yes. Maybe. Depends on the individual.

I find that if I increase my pressure, my reflux-like symptoms seem to be less. I'm not sure it's reflux because reflux medicine doesn't seem to help.

The air can dry you out, especially if you're leaking air out of your mouth. That can feel like reflux.

Be careful with the anti-reflux meds. They're beginning to figure out that there are some long term side effects with long term use, especially proton pump inhibitors. Plus the short term side effects. You just can't fool with mother nature and not have some repercussions. However, acid reflux has side effects, too.

[player]

Diet plays a big part in indigestion.

[drgrimes]

I have been taking Prilosec and now OTC Nexium for probably 15 years with no noticeable side effects, except the absence of reflux. The side effects of not treating it, as someone mentioned could be cancer. I have been to see a specialist, been scoped, and am following his advice. He says keep taking it. I don't think CPAP has ever caused me reflux, but i know eating late, spicy greasy foods, and/or alcohol can still give me a reminder of what reflux feels like. A very good friend of mine died with esophagus cancer a few years ago.....not pretty.

[Nytro_Mike]

Before starting to use my cpap I used to have terrible acid reflux, I have not had it one single time since the first use, so it improved things bigtime for me.