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CPAP ( Positive Airway Pressure) machines give out positive pressure to the upper airways to prevent them collapsing whilst the sufferer is asleep. They are used to relieve the symptoms of a condition called Sleep Apnea, which is potentially quite serious. Today medical experts and doctors believe that over 17 million people in the US alone suffer from Sleep Apnea. Here is a timeline of the condition up to now and the possible treatments available. The First Recordings of Sleep Apnea: Charles Dickens 1836 The first Novel by Charles Dickens was called the Pickwick Papers and was released in instalments over 20 months. In the story there was a character called Joe, described as a "Fat Boy" who always eats and then falls asleep. His sleep disorder is the origin for the medical term " Pickwickian Syndrome", which lead to the subsequent 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 Around 1956, Dr. Burwell was treating patients who often had suffered 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, 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 European Doctors, lead by Dr. Gastaut began to conduct research around the condition Obstructive Sleep Apnea. and recalled the three different strains of Sleep Apnea. In 1969, Obstructive Sleep Apnea began in the trachea and injecting 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. The idea was pretty basic and was inspired by the idea of reversing how a vacuum works, blowing out air instead of drawing it 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 come a long way since the old models, they are more comfortable to use and make less noise. Since Sullivan's research and creation of the original CPAP machine, CPAP has become the more popular and favoured way to treat Sleep Apnea. CPAP humidifiers and cushioned masks so when using the CPAP is an easy and comfortable experience. A lot different from the huge, basic and glorified vacuum cleaner machines of the 1980s. Throughout the past century, Sleep Apnea went from being an unknown condition to something that can easily be treated. Thanks to in depth research and Sleep societies throughout the world, Sleep Apnea is no longer ignored and there is always help at hand if you do 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.
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CPAP humidifiers, CPAP equipment, CPAP machines, Sleep apnea, breathing problem, APAP Machine,
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