A Concise History and Timeline Of The CPAP Machine And The Condition Sleep Apnea

The CPAP machines are used to help with the symptoms of the serious condition Sleep Apnea. It has been revealed in recent times that there is over 17 million people in just the US that suffer with Sleep Apnea.


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


The First Recordings of Sleep Apnea: Charles Dickens 1836 The Pickwick Papers was the first novel by Charles Dickens, and was released in instalments over 20 months. A character within the books called Joe, was often described as a "Fat Boy" who eats and then falls asleep. This sleep disorder is the origin for the medical term " Pickwickian Syndrome", which lead to the discovery 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. He told the story of an overweight business man who whilst playing poker missed out on the chance to play his hand of three aces and two kings, the reason: he had fallen 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 began to conduct research around the condition Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Here whilst studying numerous patients they discovered and recalled the three different strains of Sleep Apnea. to be treated with a tracheostomy, creating an incision in the trachea (windpipe) and inserting breathing tubes.


The First CPAP Machine:1981 The First CPAP machine was invented in 1981 physician and Australian Colin Sullivan and his team, The idea was pretty basic and was inspired by the idea of 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 patient can wear as they sleep. Although effective this machine was not accepted as a positive Sleep Apnea treatment until the mid 80s.


Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines now: CPAP machines have developed since the very first they are more comfortable to use and make less noise. 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 humidifiers and cushioned masks are now available to make using a CPAP an easy and comfortable experience. A lot different from the basic, loud and big machines of the 1980s.


In recent years Sleep Apnea has gone from being Thanks to sleep research and societies Sleep Apnea is not ignored and there is always support if you have the condition.

A CPAP Humidifier is an instrument that increases moisture in the air. Used together with an airway pressure machine, such as a CPAP, Bilevel device or APAP, these humidifiers contain a water unit that keeps air dryness as low as possible. Generally the pressure air provided by an airway pressure machine can dry out the inside of the nose and mouth. This can feel uncomfortable at times as well as lead to coughs and nosebleeds. A humidifier can be attached to a CPAP Machine or it can be bought as a separate equipment piece - quite a number of them use water that's heated and require a source of power but other types, described as passover humidifiers, which use a hose to moisten the air.

Additional articles about CPAP humidifiers

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