subject: What Is Sleep Apnea And How Was It First Diagnosed? [print this page] What Is Sleep Apnea And How Was It First Diagnosed?
Many people tend to ask what is sleep apnea even though millions of people suffer from it. Because the symptoms are common, people think it's just a normal sleep condition. Symptoms include snoring and snorting while asleep. It is a medical condition that was first mentioned by English writer Charles Dickens in his novel The Pickwick Paper. He talks of a fat boy named Joe showing clinical symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. This condition was used to be called Pickwickian syndrome as adapted from that novel. This term was coined by William Osler, a famous Canadian physician.
During those days, people still don't have a clear idea on what is sleep apnea. They didn't understand its cause and effects. They only recognize the common symptoms such as snoring and having breathing pauses while asleep. They also associate it to people who are overweight. Charles Dickens lived during the 18th century and that's how long sleep apnea has been prevalent. Probably even longer than that and people were not aware of the consequences of this sleep condition.
Forward to 1965, an extensive study on sleep apnea was led by a French doctor names Dr. Gestalt. He was doing research and experiments on people with sleep issues. His findings led to a deeper understanding of what is sleep apnea but still there was no cure.
In 1978, a Harvard physician named Dr. John Remmer found the answer. He connected a person's blocked airway to snoring and poor quality of sleep. Thus, he called this condition obstructive sleep apnea'. His findings paved the way to finding a cure. It was a very significant progress.
In 1981, an Australian physician named Dr. Collin Sullivan created that solution. He and his associates came up with a respiratory ventilation method to help cure sleep apnea. It was called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. It pumps pressurized air into a person's airway in order prevent blockage for continuous breathing. The first designs of the machines were bulky and noisy, but not for long. The medical companies easily caught up to the technology and started manufacturing smaller, compact and quieter designs. People suddenly started becoming aware of what is sleep apnea and started seeking treatment. The demand for sleep clinics increased medical pillows and dental appliances added to the choice of treatment.
Before CPAP was discovered, Tracheotomy was the most popular solution for sleep apnea. Doctors make a small surgical slit on the neck which serves as an alternative air passage. A tube is placed on the incision. It allows the person to breathe without the air passing through the nose and mouth. These days, such surgery is not necessary. CPAP therapy has been proven to be a very effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
Information on what is sleep apnea is readily available for everyone, thanks to these physicians. Each of their research and studies contributed greatly to a greater understanding of what is sleep apnea. From discovering the three different types of sleep apnea to inventing the CPAP machine. It is now up to us to use this information to help as many people as possible. Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder which leads to heart related problems. Read more on what is sleep apnea because the life that you save could be your own.
