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CPAP otherwise Positive Airway Pressure machines release positive pressure into the upper airways or windpipe to prevent it collapsing during sleep.
The machines are used to relieve and help with the symptoms of a potential serious condition called Sleep Apnea. Today it is believed that over 17 million people in the US alone suffer from Sleep Apnea.
Here is a timeline of the condition and the research and treatments which were conducted.
The First Recordings of Sleep Apnea: Charles Dickens 1836 The Pickwick Papers was the first novel by Charles Dickens, and was released in monthly instalments. In it there was a character called Joe, who was 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 detection of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. However the term “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 regularly experienced congestive heart failure, extreme sleepiness or fatigue, as well as improper airflow to the lungs; or respiratory failure. missed out on the chance to play a winning hand of three aces and two kings, the reason: he had fallen 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 European Doctors, lead by Dr. Gastaut start to conduct research around the condition Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Here whilst studying investigating various patients they discovered the three different strains of Sleep Apnea.in the 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 straight forward and they were inspired by reversing how a vacuum works, blowing out air instead of sucking in. The team then applied this idea to a breathing mask, that the Sleep Apnea sufferer could wear whilst asleep. This treatment wasn’t seen as a efficient procedure until at least the mid 80s.
Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines now: CPAP machines have come a long way since the first models, they are more comfortable to use and make less noise. Since Sullivan’s research and creation of the earlier CPAP machine, CPAP became the more popular and favoured way to treat Sleep Apnea. Cpap machine and cushioned masks are now available to make using a CPAP machine an easy and pleasant experience. A big step from the basic, loud and big machines of the early 1980s.
Throughout the past century, Sleep Apnea went from being a mystery in the medical world to something that is widely researched. Thanks to extensive research and support networks, Sleep Apnea is not ignored and there is always help and advice if you have the condition.
