subject: A Concise History And Timeline Of The Cpap Machine And The Condition Sleep Apnea [print this page] The machines are used to relieve the symptoms of a condition called Sleep Apnea. Today it is believed that over 17 million people in the US alone suffer from Sleep Apnea.
Below is a brief overview of the history of the condition and the possible 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. In the story there was a character called Joe, described as a "Fat Boy" who eats and then falls asleep. Joe's sleep disorder is the origin for the medical term " Pickwickian Syndrome", which lead to the subsequent diagnosis Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. However "Pickwickian syndrome", as a medical term wasn't used for years later.
1956: The True effects of Sleep Apnea revealed In 1956, Dr. Burwell was treating various 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 his hand of three aces and two kings, reason: he fell asleep. This is the first time " Pickwickian Syndrome" was recorded as a medical condition.
1965: Research in to sleep disorders begins In 1965 a team of European 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 trachea (windpipe) and inserting breathing tubes.
The First CPAP Machine:1981 In 1981, the first CPAP machine was created physician and Australian Colin Sullivan and his team, Their idea was pretty basic and used the concept of reversing how a vacuum works, blowing out air instead of drawing it in. They then applied this motion to a mask that the Sleep Apnea patient can wear as they sleep. This treatment wasn't seen as a efficient procedure until at least the mid 80s.
Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines now: they are less noisy, more comfortable and easier to use. Since Sullivan's research and creation of the earlier CPAP machine, CPAP has become the more popular and favoured 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 big step from the basic, loud and big machines of the early 1980s.
In recent years Sleep Apnea has developed from being a mystery sleep condition to something that can easily be helped. 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
