Does anyone with sleep apnea have this problem?
My husband has sleep apnea and he just will not wear the CPAP mask. Over the past couple of weeks he has begun waking up during the night because he is vomitting.
I am wondering if this is related to the sleep apnea, maybe the vomitting is caused from the loss of breathing? I know he stops breathing during the night because I hear him gasping for breath.
Just wondering if I should call is PCP or his specialist for this one.
My question would be…does your husband have GERD aka acid reflux? This can sometimes cause the symptoms you are describing. He should try sleeping with his head a little more elevated and talk to his sleep physician about it. My other question would be is he on his optimal pressure or is he going through the trial period before his titration for optimal pressure? The combination of the two could definately cause some issues. I would seek some help from his sleep physician. Im not sure by your question if he is using the cpap with these symptoms or if hes not. Good luck
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Make him start wearing the mask.
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People are different. Not everyone experiences the same problems with OSA. Vomiting, waking. aspirating, irritability, mood swings, hypersomnia, increased thirst, increased hunger, hyperinsulinemia are just a few of the possible related problems. My son has OSA and so I deal with this. He definately needs to wear the mask! He should also stay elevated a little more at night. Definately take him to the doctor to make sure he isn’t aspirating the vomit.
References :
http://www.MedicineNet.com
Regardless of type, the individual with sleep apnea is rarely aware of having difficulty breathing, even upon awakening. Sleep apnea is recognized as a problem by others witnessing the individual during episodes or is suspected because of its effects on the body (sequelae). Symptoms may be present for years, even decades without identification, during which time the sufferer may become conditioned to the daytime sleepiness and fatigue associated with significant levels of sleep disturbance.
The most serious consequence of obstructive sleep apnea is to the heart. In severe and prolonged cases, there are increases in pulmonary pressures that are transmitted to the right side of the heart. This can result in a severe form of congestive heart failure (cor pulmonale).
Check out this link.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea
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The vomiting could be related to the OSA because he could be causing so much intrathoracic negative pressure (while take a breath in with the throat closed) that it actually starts pulling his stomach contents up into the oesophagus causing him to vomit.
Like everyone else said, he really needs to wear his CPAP. Why won’t he wear it? Talk to his specialist or home care company (people who sold it to him) about trouble shooting that. Or ask another question on here with as many specifics as you can so that we can all help…. there seems to be a lot of respiratory therapists lurking about in here! haha
References :
My question would be…does your husband have GERD aka acid reflux? This can sometimes cause the symptoms you are describing. He should try sleeping with his head a little more elevated and talk to his sleep physician about it. My other question would be is he on his optimal pressure or is he going through the trial period before his titration for optimal pressure? The combination of the two could definately cause some issues. I would seek some help from his sleep physician. Im not sure by your question if he is using the cpap with these symptoms or if hes not. Good luck
References :
Sleep Technician