Aerophagia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Frequent belching, bloating, and abdominal discomfort are common complaints from people who suffer from a condition called aerophagia. This disorder is caused by swallowing more air than normal, and often goes unrecognized. Using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can increase the chances of this disorder, so if you use a CPAP machine, you may notice some symptoms. 

It’s important to know that there are many ways to reduce discomfort from swallowed air. Understanding what causes aerophagia and when to visit a doctor are the first steps toward getting relief.

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What Is Aerophagia?

Aerophagia is a digestive disorder Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source that occurs when a person swallows too much air. Some air swallowing is normal during eating and drinking, but the excess swallowing associated with aerophagia causes air to accumulate in the stomach and intestines instead of the lungs. This results in bloating and belching, as well as other uncomfortable digestive symptoms. The disorder is very common, but despite frequent gulping and other telltale signs, people may not realize that air swallowing is the cause of their discomfort. Trusted Source Cureus Journal of Medical Science View Source

What Causes Aerophagia?

Aerophagia can happen anytime a person swallows too much air, but this may occur more often during certain activities or situations. Here are some common triggers:   

Medical conditions and treatments 

• CPAP therapy, a treatment for OSA, especially during the initial phase of treatment 
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Anxiety or stress, which can cause irregular breathing patterns
• Nausea
• Certain medications or drugs
• Wearing loose dentures

Activities and behaviors

• Lying on your back
• Drinking carbonated beverages
• Chewing gum
• Using a drinking straw
• Smoking
• Talking quickly while eating
• Eating or drinking too fast

How Do CPAP Machines Cause Aerophagia?

CPAP devices deliver a constant stream of pressurized air designed to keep the airway open for people with OSA. As your muscles relax during sleep, the separation between the windpipe and the esophagus becomes weaker, allowing air to pass more easily into the esophagus. This air then travels down the esophagus into the stomach and sometimes the intestines.An estimated 16 Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source to 50% of CPAP users experience aerophagia symptoms, including both children and adults. Some researchers have also linked aerophagia from CPAP to symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, or heartburn. The theory is that as swallowed air causes the stomach to bloat, the stomach pushes upwards, making it easier for stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus.

What Are the Symptoms of Aerophagia?

Aerophagia is characterized by excessive air swallowing. The word aerophagia means “ air eating Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source ” in Greek. The air enters the gastrointestinal tract and causes a range of symptoms.

The symptoms of aerophagia Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source are related to the way air passes through the body. Depending on whether the air primarily stays higher up or passes down through the intestines, you may experience:

• Bloating
• Belching
• Flatulence
• Gurgling stomach
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Distended belly

Though some of the symptoms are similar, aerophagia is considered a different disorder than excessive belching, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or functional dyspepsia, which is indigestion with no known cause. Aerophagia is not caused by a blockage in the intestines. That being said, it is not uncommon for people with aerophagia to have another gastrointestinal disorder as well.

Less common symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and nausea. Unlike with other gastrointestinal disorders, vomiting is not generally considered a symptom of aerophagia. Symptoms may come and go over time.

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How Is Aerophagia Diagnosed?

To diagnose aerophagia, your doctor may ask you to describe your symptoms, particularly regarding belching, bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, or constipation. They may check for signs of a distended belly and tap your abdomen to see if it sounds like there is extra air inside. They may also listen for bowel sounds and verify that you do not have any physical blockages obstructing your intestines.

An abdominal X-ray, also called a radiograph, can provide visual confirmation of excessive air inside your intestines or expanded bowels due to air. With this test, your doctor checks for air-fluid levels Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source , a pattern of air and fluid mixing together that indicates a bowel obstruction.

Your doctor might also rule out supragastric belches, which differ from air swallowing in that the air enters the esophagus and immediately comes out again. If appropriate, they may perform an upper endoscopy, which consists of inserting a small camera into the esophagus and stomach.

To receive a diagnosis of aerophagia, you must have symptoms for at least 12 weeks — not necessarily in a row — out of the previous 12 months.

How Do You Prevent Aerophagia With CPAP?

Doctors may try several methods to improve your aerophagia symptoms while using CPAP therapy.

Adjust CPAP Pressure

Reducing the total amount of air Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source entering the body is one way to protect against aerophagia, but it can be counterproductive if the low air pressure causes a rebound in apnea symptoms. 

To work around this problem, some researchers have proposed switching to an automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) device, which adjusts air pressure throughout the night as needed. Initial research suggests this switch can relieve symptoms of bloating, flatulence, belching, and abdominal pain without negatively affecting OSA treatment.

Change Mask

Some researchers believe that full face CPAP masks may cause more aerophagia symptoms than nasal masks. Using a mask that covers both the nose and the mouth may leave you more susceptible to leaks, and the larger mask may require higher pressure. Your doctor can help you find a mask that seals properly and allows you to receive the air you need, according to whether you primarily breathe through your mouth or nose.

If adjusting pressure on your CPAP device or switching you to a nasal mask does not ease your aerophagia, talk to your doctor about alternate options to treat your OSA. They may suggest a bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) device instead, as this type of device offers lower pressure during exhalation.

Are There Other Treatments for Aerophagia?

Aerophagia usually improves Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source with certain lifestyle changes. Depending on what is causing your aerophagia symptoms, your doctor may recommend:

• Changing the way you swallow
• Practicing breathing exercises
• Taking medications
• Avoiding carbonated beverages, drinking straws, and chewing gum
• Eating more slowly
• Undergoing speech therapy to minimize air swallowing
• Behavioral therapy or psychotherapy for anxiety
• Biofeedback therapy (using monitoring equipment to improve breathing and swallowing)
• Stress reduction techniques

In rare cases, a person may swallow so much air that they risk twisted organs and breathing difficulties. In these cases, doctors may siphon out the extra air using a tube through the nose and administer sedatives as a short-term method of reducing air swallowing.

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