Can Oura Rings Detect Sleep Apnea?

In this articleOura rings are trendy gadgets that have recently risen to popularity. They hold a variety of different functions, including reading your pulse, temperature, activity levels, and more. One feature that users appreciate is the fact that it monitors sleep patterns. Does this mean that it can tell you if you have obstructive sleep apnea? Continue reading to learn more about the Oura ring and how it works.

How Does the Oura Ring Detect Sleep Apnea?

The Oura ring is unique in that it monitors various things happening to your body, and many of those can be affected by sleep apnea. Here are the most prominent ones:

· Blood Oxygen Levels: If you click on the sleep tab on your Oura app, you will see that your ring tracks your average blood oxygen saturation as a percentage. This is done through the LED sensors on the ring that shine red and infrared light into your finger and use the reflected light to estimate the amount of oxygen in the blood. Various things can lower blood oxygen levels, including your elevation, allergies, illnesses, and sleep apnea. Levels between 95-100% are considered normal.

· Breathing: Oura also provides you with a breathing graph. This graph shows variations in your blood oxygen, logging disturbances to show how optimal your breathing is. This data is logged every 15 minutes as you sleep, showing how often you experience disturbances.

· Sleep Trends: By clicking on the trends section of your Oura app, you can see trends across sleep, activity levels, stress, and readiness. Sleep trends monitor various aspects of sleep, including deep, REM, time awake, and sleep stages. This way, you can get an idea of your sleep trends over the course of days, weeks, months, or years.

How To Address Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

If your Oura ring is showing signs, like frequent sleep disturbances and low blood oxygen levels, this could be an indication of sleep apnea. To receive a formal diagnosis, and get the treatment you need, you must schedule an appointment with a professional and undergo a sleep test. Depending on the results and the severity, a treatment plan can be put together for you to manage your symptoms and help you achieve deeper, quality sleep.

An Oura ring is a helpful tool to help you identify abnormalities going on in your body. If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, schedule a visit with a sleep dentist. This way, you can work toward getting the quality sleep you need to thrive during the day!

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Held earned his dental doctorate from the Creighton University School of Dentistry. A sufferer of obstructive sleep apnea himself, he decided to dedicate his career to treating sleep apnea. Currently, he is a proud member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the only Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine in Northern Arizona. To learn more about sleep apnea or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (928) 778-4555., we will discuss…