A Brief History And Timeline Of The Cpap Machine And The Condition Sleep Apnea

By Author: Kiersten Jeffery
Total Articles: 35
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They are used to relieve the symptoms of a potential serious condition called Sleep Apnea. Today it is believed that over 17 million people in America alone that suffer with Sleep Apnea.

Here is a timeline of the condition and the treatments available.

The First Recordings of Sleep Apnea: Charles Dickens 1836 In the early 19th Century, The Pickwick Papers was published, the first novel by Charles Dickens, and was released in monthly instalments. A sub character within the books called Joe, was often described as a "Fat Boy" who spends his time primarily eating and sleeping. This sleep disorder is the origin for the medical term " Pickwickian Syndrome", which lead to the subsequent diagnosis Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. However "Pickwickian syndrome" wasn't used for years later.

1956: The True effects of Sleep Apnea revealed In and around 1956, Dr. Burwell was treating patients who often had congestive heart failure, extreme sleepiness or fatigue, as well as improper airflow to the lungs; or respiratory failure. He told the story of an obese business man who whilst playing poker ...
... missed out on the chance to play an amazing hand of three aces and two kings, because he fall asleep. This is the first time " Pickwickian Syndrome" was recorded as a actually medical condition.

1965: Research in to sleep disorders begins In 1965 a team of French and German Doctors, lead by Dr. Gastaut start to conduct research around the condition Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Here whilst studying investigating various patients they discovered and recalled the three different strains of Sleep Apnea. In 1969, Obstructive Sleep Apnea to be treated with a tracheostomy, creating an incision in the windpipe and inserting breathing tubes.

The First CPAP Machine:1981 The CPAP machine was invented back in 1981 by the Australian Colin Sullivan and his team of experts. Their idea was straight forward and they were inspired by reversing how a vacuum cleaner works, pushing air out instead of sucking in. The team then applied this idea to a ventilation mask, that the Sleep Apnea patient could wear whilst asleep. Although effective this machine was not accepted as a positive Sleep Apnea treatment until the mid 80s.

Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines now: they are smaller, much more comfortable and make a lot less noise. Since Sullivan's research and development of the first CPAP machine, CPAP became the more efficient and best way to treat Sleep Apnea. cpap machine and cushioned masks are now available to make using a CPAP machine a comfortable and easy experience. A lot different from the huge, basic and glorified vacuum cleaner machines of the 1980s.

Through the past century Sleep Apnea has developed from being a mystery in the medical world to a well-known and understood topic. Thanks to in depth research and Sleep societies throughout the world, Sleep Apnea is no longer ignored and there is always advice guidance and support if you have the condition.