Snoring — a common annoyance in many households — can be caused by many factors, including sleeping positions, nasal obstruction, excessive weight, a cold, or pregnancy.
However, it can also be caused by something more serious: obstructive sleep apnea.
According to Salah Aboubakr, MD, pulmonologist and medical director of the McLaren Greater Lansing Center for Sleep & Alertness, sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to stop breathing temporarily while they sleep.
“When you stop breathing, your oxygen levels drop, and the brain cannot take that, so it wakes you up. It doesn’t wake you up all the way, but it pushes you to a lighter stage of sleep, and you go through that cycle repeatedly throughout the night. That’s what we call obstructive sleep apnea,” said Dr. Aboubakr. “Some patients go through this cycle 60 or even 100 times an hour in severe cases.”
While daily tiredness, morning headaches, and trouble concentrating are common symptoms, the impact of sleep apnea goes much deeper, presenting significant dangers to your health.
“Sleep apnea is like your body constantly fighting off being choked," explains Dr. Aboubakr. "This triggers a rise in hormones, leading to high blood pressure. Some patients may develop an irregular heartbeat, and with reduced oxygen to the brain, there's a risk of stroke.”
Most people have their sleep apnea diagnosed with an overnight sleep study in a specialized sleep center. There are various sensors that the person is hooked up to that monitor brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate and rhythm, breathing patterns, and more.
However, there may be an easier way to diagnose sleep apnea — with an FDA-cleared Belun® Ring. This medical-grade wearable is worn on the index finger while sleeping and records oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and actigraphy for up to 10 hours per night. Using AI algorithms, the Belun Sleep System also estimates the apnea-hypopnea index and categorizes sleep stages.
After only one night, the information collected will be uploaded from the device and can tell doctors whether you have experienced sleep apnea episodes, what your level of oxygen saturation is, and other valuable information.
“The Belun Ring revolutionizes home sleep testing by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology and photoplethysmography to create an accurate, affordable, and comfortable sleep testing experience,” said Kyle Sartelle, MS, RPSGT, manager of the McLaren Greater Lansing Center for Sleep and Alertness.
This new device is now available at the McLaren Greater Lansing Center for Sleep and Alertness. Since high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, and other cardiac conditions are linked to sleep apnea, McLaren Greater Lansing Cardiovascular Associates is also offering this service for qualifying patients. If you are interested in a referral to McLaren Greater Lansing Center for Sleep and Alertness, talk to your primary care provider.
To learn more about the McLaren Greater Lansing Center for Sleep and Alertness, click here.