Showing results for "Iron Lung" in Health & Wellness

A fascinating account of the world’s most famous disease - polio - told as you have never heard it before. Epidemics of paralysis began to rage in the early 1900s, seemingly out of nowhere. Doctors, parents, and health officials were at a loss to explain why this formerly unheard-of disease began paralyzing so many children. Why did this disease start to become such a horrible problem during the late 1800s? Why did it affect children more often than adults? Why was it originally called teething paralysis by mothers and their doctors?

The podcast explores the life of Paul Alexander, one of the last polio survivors still using an iron lung, a mechanical ventilator that helped patients breathe during the polio epidemic of the 20th century. It delves into the origins and benefits of the iron lung, as well as the new alternatives that have emerged in recent decades, such as positive pressure ventilators and diaphragm pacing systems. The article highlights Alexander's resilience and determination in living a full life despite his physical limitations, and discusses the ongoing advancements in medical technology that aim to ...