Wearable devices like the Apple Watch and Oura Smart Ring often have substantial positive impacts on the health and fitness of those who wear them through providing detailed information and encouraging healthy activity.
One dangerous condition they are often able to detect is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a chronic condition that disrupts breathing during sleep and can be fatal. Oura rings are now able not only to detect the signs of this disease, but also to help sufferers obtain medical assistance…
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
The National Medical Library has described OSA as one of the deadliest sleep disorders.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition, although very common, and perhaps one of the most fatal sleep disorders due to repeated cycles of collapse usually of the overhead airway during sleep that results in intermittent hypoxia, sleep fragmentation, and excessive daytime sleepiness. It is such a widespread concern that it is estimated to affect nearly 936 million adults aged 30 to 69 worldwide.
The pathogenesis leads to several health consequences, such as cardiovascular pathologies, metabolic disturbances, cognitive dysfunctions and mood disorders.
It has also been linked to road accidents caused by exhausted drivers falling asleep.
Oura Ring connects sick people to help them
Because the Oura Ring measures both respiratory rate and oxygen saturation, it can detect symptoms consistent with OSA. Until now, the company has flagged the issue in the app and advised users to seek medical attention, but the company is now going further.
The expanded functionality is offered in partnership with health technology company Resmed. The team can now offer three options in response to potential signs of OSA.
- Educational resources and sleep assessment to better understand sleep health.
- The ability to connect with an independent health care provider, virtually or in person, to address their sleep concerns.
- An informative guide to support discussions with their healthcare provider.
Oura says the goal is to help people access medical care more easily.
“High-quality sleep is one of the strongest foundations of long-term health, but many people live for years with unrecognized sleep and breathing problems,” said Dr. Ricky Bloomfield, chief medical officer at Oura. “By combining Oura’s ongoing knowledge about sleep and nighttime breathing with Resmed’s sleep expertise, we’re giving people clearer tools and education to spot when something might be wrong and more easily access care so they can better understand and act on changes in their sleep health.”
The new feature is US-only and works with third- and fourth-generation Oura Rings with an active subscription.
I’ve previously written about how sleep tracking analysis in the Oura app can provide reassurance as well as pointers toward potential diagnoses.
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