Adherence to PAP: Relieving Aerophagia
Adhering to your PAP therapy is essential to relieving aerophagia. Check out some tips below for eliminating swallowed air with PAP therapy:
- Make sure you know how to properly fit and adjust your mask for best seal. Replace the cushion or entire mask and headgear if it is worn out or damaged.
- Expiratory pressure relief features are available on most CPAP machines today. This is commonly a patient-controlled feature so learn how to use it.
- Verify that you are adequately hydrated and using enough humidity from the PAP.
- Consider if the mask you are using is the best choice.
- Confirm with your PAP provider that your machine is set correctly as prescribed by your doctor.
- If you suspect your PAP machine air pressure might be inadequate either too high or too low, discuss a pressure change with your doctor.
- If you suspect your aerophagia is the result of hyperventilation caused by anxiety, consider utilizing a sleep aid or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provided by a sleep specialist. Ask your sleep doctor for a referral.
Learning the cause of aerophagia is key to resolving it. As always, discuss this issue with your sleep doctor and PAP provider to help determine your causes and resolutions.