Does Ultrahuman Ring detect sleep apnea? Learn how this monitors sleep patterns and health for better insights
Sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, aren’t a laughing matter. Have you ever woken in the morning feeling drained even when having gotten a full eight-hour sleep, snored your head off, or woken with an ever-empty tank of energy? Chances are, sleep apnea could have been at work. That was me a few years ago—turning, flipping, waking with a clouded head, and feeling my body plot against me. So when I heard about the Ultrahuman Ring, I was intrigued. Can a little device such as that actually monitor my sleep and, most importantly, detect sleep apnea?
Wearable technology for wellness has traveled a long way, but can the Ultrahuman Ring effectively detect sleep apnea? Let’s have a deeper look.
Knowing sleep apnea
Prior to discussing whether the does Ultrahuman Ring detect sleep apnea, let’s dissect it first. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your breathing stops and then begins again over and over during sleep. There are three types:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Most common variety, in which throat muscles become flaccid and obstruct airflow.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): There is an impairment in sending correct brain messages to control breathing.
- The Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: An Association of OSA and CSA
Symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Choking or gasping for air during sleep
- Morning headaches
- Excess daytime sleepiness
- Trouble Concentrating
For years, sleep apnea could only be diagnosed with a polysomnography (PSG) test, a sleep study, for short. With wearables, sleep data can soon become at your fingertips in your bed. Enter, Ultrahuman Ring.
What is the Ultrahuman Ring?
The Ultrahuman Ring Air is a sleep, recovery, heart rate variability (HRV), temperature, and activity tracking smart ring constructed with durable titanium and a tungsten carbide outer case, and weighing between 2.4 and 3.6 grams, yet strong enough to withstand daily use and abuse. Unlike traditional bulky fitness trackers, it is discreet, stylish, and can be worn 24/7.
The app opens doors to rich information about one’s health via its companion app, Ultrahuman, such as heart rate, HRV, temperature, sleep stage, activity count, and recovery trends. Besides, real-time wellness tips allow one to make smart life and wellness-related decisions.
A standout feature is its pricing model—with $349, its insights have one-time access for life, in contrast with its competition, charging monthly subscription payments. Can it, nevertheless, detect sleep apnea?
Does Ultrahuman Ring Detect Sleep Apnea?
Yes,
Here’s a quick rundown: No, does Ultrahuman ring detect sleep apnea, but it can provide indications that can make one sensitive to sleep disturbances. Let’s dissect below.
Monitoring for Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) – Missing Link?
The most medical-grade sleep apnea tests monitor blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). As one stops breathing (apnea), one’s level of oxygenation will fall. Products such as the Oura Ring Gen 3 have nighttime tracking for SpO2, but at present, the Ultrahuman Ring doesn’t have such a feature.
Fluctuation in HR and HRV
The Ultrahuman Ring reads heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), both of which can become disrupted in sleep apnea. As one stops breathing, heart rate will climb with the body struggling for oxygen. Sustained HRV variation can manifest sleep disruptions, but not necessarily sleep apnea.
Breathing Rate Details
The Ultrahuman Ring, in contrast, doesn’t include direct tracking for respiratory rate, but it can monitor sleep cycles. In case your sleep isn’t healthy, with atypical sleep cycles, it can potentially reveal sleep-related complications, including sleep apnea.
Body temperature variation
One feature of note in the Ultrahuman Ring is its ongoing tracking of body temperature. Fluctuating nighttime temperatures have been proposed in some studies to have a potential relation with sleep disorder, but not enough to definitively detect sleep apnea.
Sleep Stage Monitoring – Not Very Useful
The Ultrahuman Ring tracks deep sleep, sleep, and REM sleep. Patients with sleep apnea have difficulty sleeping in deep sleep stage with recurring waking during sleep. The ring will not tell you why you’re waking, but constant sleep disruptions will make you wonder and explore deeper into it.
My experiences with testing the Ultrahuman Ring
I have played with a range of wearables over the years, such as Apple Watch, Oura Ring, WHOOP, and most recently, Ultrahuman Ring. With use of the Ultrahuman Ring, I noticed my HRV and deep sleep values drop when I woke up most exhausted. I couldn’t help but wonder—am I developing mild sleep apnea?
To dig deeper, I booked a home sleep apnea test (via a doctor). The results? Mild obstructive sleep apnea.
Did it detect it? No, but did it reveal trends that encouraged me to have it checked? Absolutely.
Alternative Wearables for Diagnosing Sleep Apnea
And, in case your first concern is sleep apnea testing, then use these alternatives:
- Withings Sleep Analyzer: a non-wearable device, but placed under your mattress, capable of tracking sleep apnea.
- Oura Ring Gen 3: Features nighttime tracking of SpO2, and can detect sleep apnea through a hint.
- Fitbit Sense 2 & Charge 5: Monitor sleep variation in oxygen level.
- WHOOP Strap 4.0: Monitors respiratory rate, beneficial for diagnosing abnormalities in breathing.
Is an Ultrahuman Ring for Sleep Monitoring a Wise Purchase?
If a direct sleep apnea device is your preference, then the Ultrahuman Ring isn’t your best bet for your needs. That being said, for a device to track sleep overall, HRV, temperature, and metabolic health, it’s a great device to have. But in case you’re having recurring symptoms of poor sleep, fatigue, and atypical HRV trends, don’t ignore them. I did for years, assuming I was a “bad sleeper.” In case sleep apnea is suspected, seek out a sleep specialist and have a sleep study for proper evaluation.
Key Takings:
- Does Ultrahuman Ring detect sleep apnea and recovery tracking tool, but not a medical-grade sleep apnea monitor.
- If you’re snoring, waking with a start and a gasp for air, or having persistent daytime sleepiness, seek out medical care.
- I’d use an Ultrahuman Ring for general wellness information, but for sleep apnea tracking, you’d most likely need a device with a bit more knowhow.
- If you have ever used does Ultrahuman Ring detect sleep apnea tracking, I’d love your feedback regarding your experience.
- Have you noticed any trends that encouraged you to try sleep apnea testing? Comment below and let’s chat!
Additional Resources:
- Ultrahuman Ring FAQ: Official source for the Ultrahuman Ring’s features, setup, and usage tips.
- Wired Review: Detailed review of the Ultrahuman Ring’s features, pros, and cons.
- TechCrunch Insights: Insights into wearable tech and the rise of smart rings like Ultrahuman.
- YouTube Review – A video comparison of Ultrahuman Ring vs. Oura for fitness tracking.
