What Is Sleep Apnea And How Was It First Identified?

Health & Fitness

  • Author Ken Edwards
  • Published December 5, 2010
  • Word count 583

Most people typically ask what is sleep apnea though millions of individuals has it. Given that signs and symptoms are common, people presume it is simply a an ordinary sleep difficulty. Symptoms and signs include snoring and snorting throughout sleep. It's a condition that was first brought up by English author Charles Dickens in the novel The Pickwick Paper. He tells of a fat boy called Joe exhibiting clinical symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. This condition was used to be referred to as Pickwickian syndrome as adapted from that novel. This specific term was coined by William Osler, a distinguished Canadian doctor.

During those days, most people still don’t have a clear notion on what is sleep apnea. They didn’t have an understanding of its cause and repercussions. They simply identify the common symptoms including loud snores and having breathing pauses while sleeping. They moreover affiliate it to those people who are overweight. Charles Dickens lived during the 18th century and that’s how far back sleep apnea has been widespread. Possibly even longer than that and individuals were unaware of the consequences of this sleep condition.

Forward to 1965, an in depth study on sleep apnea was led by a French physician known as Dr. Gestalt. He was undertaking research and studies on people who have sleep issues. His findings resulted in a greater knowledge of what is sleep apnea but still there was no cure.

In 1978, a Harvard doctor named Dr. John Remmer uncovered the remedy. Dr. Remmer interconnected a person’s blocked airway to snoring and poor sleep quality. Hence, he termed this condition ‘obstructive sleep apnea’. His studies paved the means to finding a solution. It was a remarkably critical progress.

In 1981, an Australian doctor known as Dr. Collin Sullivan created that remedy. He and his brilliant colleagues invented a respiratory ventilation method to help alleviate sleep apnea. It was called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. It sends pressurized air into a person’s air passage in order to hinder the obstruction for continuous breathing. The first models of the equipment were bulky and noisy, but not for long. The healthcare manufacturers easily caught up to the concept and started developing smaller, more compact and quieter models. People soon started getting aware about what is sleep apnea and started looking for treatment. The need for sleep clinics increased, and medical pillows and dental products added onto a selection of medication.

Before CPAP was invented, Tracheotomy was the most popular cure for sleep apnea. Doctors make a small surgical slit on the neck which will serve as an alternative air passage. A tubing is placed on the incision. It makes it possible for the individual to breathe but without the air passing through the nose and mouth. These days, this type of surgery treatment is not necessary. CPAP remedy has been shown to be a reliable cure for obstructive sleep apnea.

Details on what is sleep apnea is readily accessible for anyone, thanks to these doctors. Each of their research and studies contributed substantially to a more extensive understanding of what is sleep apnea. From discovering the three different types of sleep apnea to inventing the CPAP machine. It’s now up to us to make use of this information to help as many individuals as possible. Sleep apnea is an extremely critical sleep disorder that leads to heart related problems. Read more on what is sleep apnea as the life that you save could be your own.

Ken has a background in owning and running a small business focused IT service firm. His passion is to help others that suffer from sleep disorders, including sleep apnea which he also suffers from. He provides free information on what is sleep apnea (http://sleepapnearevealed.com/what-is-sleep-apnea). Visit his website Sleep Apnea Revealed (http://sleepapnearevealed.com).

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