Samsung is making strides with its tech advancements. The company recently released its new AI system called Galaxy AI, and now it just got approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for a medical feature for its smartwatch.
Sleep Apnea Feature for the Galaxy Watch
Smartwatches now come with a plethora of features, including medical-related functions where users can monitor their vital signs. Samsung has developed a way for its Galaxy Watch users to detect whether they have sleep apnea disorder.
The feature will not be released until the third quarter of the year, but once it does, it can be accessed via the Samsung Health Monitor app. It can be used by Galaxy Watch owners between 22 years old and above, as reported by Engadget.
Through the app, users will be able to detect indications if they have not been diagnosed by a healthcare professional. It will monitor a person's sleep for two nights to detect whether or not the user has signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
This can be a big step for Samsung, especially considering that its biggest competitor, Apple, has been pulled into a lawsuit for allegedly using patented technology from the medical company, Masimo. While Apple has not denied the accusation, it still faces consequences from the lawsuit.
The tech giant was forced to remove Series 9 and Ultra 2 Apple Watches as ruled by the US International Trade Commission. The technology in question was also a medical feature, particularly one that measures the user's blood oxygen.
Signs of Sleep Apnea and Its Dangers
There are a lot of sleep apnea symptoms that can be detected while a person is awake. For instance, one who's suffering from the disorder will experience sleepiness during the day, headaches, high blood pressure, and mood swings. However, these are common enough to be mistaken with other conditions.
The most obvious symptoms cannot be monitored during the day since it takes place when the person is asleep. Such symptoms include loud snoring, sudden waking up in the middle of the night due to gasping, and episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, as per the Mayo Clinic.
Having a monitoring system could be helpful as it could tell you whether your snoring is normal or if you're in need of a consultation. It's important to be certain as there are a lot of complications that can arise from untreated sleep apnea.
Some complications are mild such as fatigue during the day, but others might be more alarming such as cardiovascular problems. A person who suffers from the disorder could experience sleep deprivation, complications with medicine, and even eye problems.
Once diagnosed or detected, the user can try to avoid things and habits that might be causing it such as putting on excess weight or smoking. It's important to note that even if the Galaxy Watch does detect signs of sleep apnea, it's still important to see a doctor for a professional diagnosis.
