Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Dr. Ernesto Eusebio
As a sleep medicine specialist, I am often asked about the role of wearables (Fitbit, Apple Watch and Aura Ring) in the identification and management of sleep disorders, and until recently, my answer had been the same: “Their role is limited to individuals with healthy sleep, and they cannot be used for the diagnosis and/or treatment of sleep disorders in the clinical setting.”
In recent years, wearable technology has dramatically transformed from simple fitness and sleep trackers to sophisticated health monitoring devices that offer unprecedented insights into our personal well-being.
The Health Revolution on Your Wrist
Modern wearables represent a remarkable convergence of technology and healthcare, empowering users to take a proactive approach to their health. The latest innovations go well beyond basic activity tracking, now providing complex health diagnostics that were once exclusively the domain of medical professionals.
For many years now, devices like apple watch can detect heart rhythm abnormalities like atrial fibrillation, protect our hearing by tracking exposure to loud noises and can offer insight into our balance, telling us weather we are at risk of fall/injury. But one of the most significant recent developments is the ability to detect moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can lead to serious health complications if left untreated such as heart disease, strokes, dementia and mood disorders (such as depression or anxiety).
Many of us have a loved one in whom we suspect may have sleep apnea. Most patients don’t suspect having obstructive sleep apnea themselves, and in most instances the concern is reported by loved ones, or by primary care physicians when they assess for risk factors.
To complicate matters more, most patients have unfounded concerns about the treatments and avoid visiting the sleep doctor.
While sleep apnea detection is groundbreaking, it is just a tool that could help you or your loved ones make a decision to see a doctor about a suspected problem. It should never be used alone.
Another tool to help us identify sleep apnea is called the STOP-BANG questionnaire, which can be used to determine if there is a risk:
. Snoring
. Tiredness or Sleepiness
. Observed Apneas
. High Blood Pressure (even if treated with medications)
. Body Mass Index >35 (obesity)
. Age >50
. Neck >16”
. Male Gender.
If you or someone you know has 3 or more of the risk factors above, they are at risk of obstructive sleep apnea and may benefit from a sleep evaluation. If you can’t convince them to see the sleep doctor, you may now be able to “gift” some help.
Sleep Apnea Detection:
A Breakthrough in Wearable Technology
Recent advancements in wearable technology along with strong collaboration with sleep medicine professionals have made it possible to detect potentially dangerous sleep apnea using sophisticated sensors and advanced algorithms. Devices like the newer Apple Watch and Some Samsung Galaxy watches can now detect cases of moderate to severe sleep apnea with exceptional accuracy.
The Apple Watch, for instance, has FDA clearance for several medical-grade features including sleep apnea detection, blurring the lines between consumer electronics and medical devices.
As an example, Apple has provided research and validating trials information demonstrating that if the Apple Watch suggests someone has obstructive sleep apnea, it is in agreement with a home sleep test more than 98% of the time. However, this technology has limitations, as it may miss 1 in 3 patients for whom it does not suggest the disease. Therefore, it is always recommended you see a sleep professional if sleep apnea is suspected.
Conclusion
As we shop gifts for our loved ones this holiday season, wearables with sleep apnea detection may offer a way to help our loved ones identify this potentially serious disease. Although it is always best to just go and see your local doctor, these devices can help in identifying these problems in those reluctant to visit a sleep doctor’s clinic.
About Sleep & Apnea Institute of Florida
The Sleep and Apnea Institute of Florida’s goal is to bring the best in service quality, speed, and technology to our community for the evaluation and management of sleep disorders.
To provide context, most sleep medicine services in the area have been using the same technology over the past 20 years to diagnose (and to treat) obstructive sleep apnea. SAIF will bring sleep medicine up to date with current and developing technologies to improve access, speed ana accuracy of the diagnostic and treatment options available to our community today.
Accepting New Patients!
Sleep & Apnea Institute of Florida
(239)788-6500
www.saifsleep.com
23421 Walden Center Dr, Suite 100
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
