Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of Americans and has far-reaching consequences to their health and quality of life. Although you may think of it as a modern disease, there’s actually written documentation about sleep apnea that dates back to 2,000 years ago! But it wasn’t until fairly recently that researchers were able to get a better understanding of what causes sleep apnea in Columbus and find effective treatments for it. Now, patients can get treatment that not only improves sleep apnea itself, but also the serious side effects that go with it, including heart disease, weight gain and depression. Keep reading below to learn more about the evolution of sleep apnea treatment and why it’s easier today than ever before!
Sleep Apnea Used To Be Called Pickwickian Syndrome
Chances are that you’ve never heard the phrase “Pickwickian Syndrome,” but that’s how people used to refer to the set of symptoms we associate with sleep apnea today. The term actually came from a surprising source: a Charles Dickens novel called The Pickwick Papers.
The story includes a character named Joe who was plagued with symptoms such as snoring, obesity and ill health. Being overweight was one of the main features of the character, and for centuries, doctors thought that extra body weight was the only cause of sleep apnea.
Today we know there are multiple potential causes, including:
- Nasal blockages such as nasal polyps or a stuffy nose from allergies.
- Anatomical structures in the throat such as a large uvula or tonsils.
- Eating or drinking right before bed, which causes the throat muscles to overly relax.
- A deviated septum.
Research From the 1950’s and 1960’s
In the early phases of modern research, it was determined that the fundamental problem associated with sleep apnea is nighttime breathing that frequently stops and starts.
Then, in the 1970’s, dogs who couldn’t breathe properly at night were treated with tracheotomy procedures, which lead medical doctors to experiment with the same treatment for humans. Although tracheotomies were somewhat effective, they were far more invasive than doctors or patients would have liked.
In the early 1980’s, the earliest form of the CPAP machine was developed by a researcher named Colin Sullivan. Although these “face masks” were quite bulky, they created positive airway pressure that kept people’s airways open throughout the night, greatly reducing their symptoms from sleep apnea.
Modern Treatment
Today, modern treatments (thankfully) don’t involve tracheotomies! And although the CPAP machine or surgery were considered the only choices for many years, today a sleep apnea dentist can offer another option that’s much less invasive: a simple oral appliance worn at night.
A CPAP machine might still be the best choice for patients with severe symptoms, but oral appliances are very effective for anyone with mild to moderate sleep apnea. They’re also much easier to use because they’re compact, lightweight and portable.
Learning about the history of sleep apnea treatment can give you a newfound sense of appreciation for modern medicine. After all, patients today can get relief with a simple appliance made by their dentist. If only Joe from The Pickwick Papers were so lucky!
About the Author
Dr. Eric Buck is a dentist who specializes in sleep apnea treatment. He understands the serious impact that sleep apnea has on his patients’ lives and is happy to offer relief from this disorder with easy, non-invasive oral appliances. If you suspect you might have sleep apnea and have any additional questions, he can be contacted via his website or at (614) 956-9305.