Smart Ring Alerts Nurse to Blood Cancer
Wearable Device Detects Early Signs of Hodgkin Lymphoma
A woman who consistently uses her smart ring credited the wearable technology for identifying indicators of blood cancer before she was aware of any serious health issue.
Nikki Gooding, a nurse residing in Virginia, US, received a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, earlier this year. This diagnosis followed a period of night sweats and extreme exhaustion.
She also experienced elevated body temperature and an unusually rapid heartbeat.
Nurse Initially Dismissed Symptoms
Night Sweats and Fatigue Ignored
Despite recognizing these symptoms, she initially disregarded them, uncertain of their cause.
It was not until her Oura ring, a wearable health tracker favored by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Prince Harry, began issuing red alerts that she decided to seek medical advice.
Oura Ring’s Red Alerts Prompt Medical Consultation
The smart ring, resembling a wedding band in appearance, monitors various health metrics. It calculates the wearer’s activity levels, body temperature, sleep quality, and heart rate.
The device is also capable of detecting illnesses like influenza or COVID-19.
Ms. Gooding’s ring detected significant variations in her heart rate, sleep patterns, and body temperature, signaling a potential health concern.
‘I consistently wear my Oura ring,’ she stated in a TikTok video that has garnered over 2.5 million views.
‘After returning from a trip, I started experiencing night sweats and felt extremely fatigued.’
‘I knew something was amiss, but I couldn’t pinpoint the exact issue, so I initially ignored it.’
However, the app linked to her ring consistently displayed a warning alongside its regular health information.
This red ‘major signs’ alert indicates to the user that their biometric data shows highly irregular patterns.
‘It uses body temperature data to assist in tracking your menstrual cycle,’ Ms. Gooding explained.
‘But it’s also beneficial as it can provide an early warning when you are becoming unwell.’
‘When I began having night sweats and fevers, my temperature was spiking as high as 2.7 degrees above my normal baseline.’
The application advised her to prioritize rest and self-care.
However, the significantly elevated temperature readings prompted her to consult her physician.
Diagnosis and Impact of Early Detection
Subsequently, within weeks, she received a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma. This form of blood cancer impacts the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands throughout the body.
Night sweats, elevated temperature, and fatigue are typical indicators of this condition, which is the most prevalent cancer among teenagers and young adults.
‘If I hadn’t had the Oura ring, I’m confident I would have eventually discovered it,’ Nikki commented.
‘However, having this information readily available definitely encouraged me to take it more seriously.’
‘As a nurse, you understand we don’t typically rush to the doctor for every minor ailment.’
‘So, if you needed a sign to acquire an Oura ring – consider this it.’
Oura Ring’s Popularity and Functionality
Launched in 2013 by Oura Health, a Finnish technology firm, the ring is priced starting from £299, reaching up to £549.
The company asserts that the ring is the pioneering wearable technology designed to offer a comprehensive overview of an individual’s health.
On social media, users are highly engaged with monitoring their sleep and stress scores. They also report implementing substantial lifestyle adjustments, such as reducing alcohol consumption or modifying sleep habits, to achieve improved results.
The ring monitors health metrics using three types of sensors:
- Infrared lights: These measure heart and breathing rate.
- Accelerometer: This tracks movement.
- Body temperature monitor: This identifies fevers and predicts menstrual cycles in women.
Oura Ring vs. Other Wearables
While devices like Apple Watch, Garmin, or Fitbit track similar data, Oura maintains that its ring form factor distinguishes it.
The ring’s placement on the finger, ideally the index finger, enables it to capture signals directly from the heart. This, they claim, results in more precise data compared to wrist-worn devices.
Research Validates Ring’s Illness Detection Capabilities
Researchers have indeed confirmed that sleep monitoring data obtained from the Oura Ring can detect conditions such as influenza or COVID-19.
Scientists, who monitored the sleep patterns of over 30,000 individuals in America, identified five primary sleep types, termed sleep phenotypes.
Their findings indicated that the frequency of shifts between these phenotypes could aid in predicting the likelihood of developing certain health issues.
The study analyzed data from over five million nights of sleep, documenting how often participants transitioned between phenotypes.
They concluded that the ring accurately identified instances where wearers had a fever, influenza, and COVID-19, as well as indications of sleep apnea and diabetes.
Oura Health’s Disclaimer
In a media statement, Oura Health clarified that the ring is intended to ‘support proactive health awareness rather than reactive care’.
‘The Oura Ring is not a medical device and is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, monitor, or prevent medical conditions or illnesses.’
‘Instead, our technology aims to complement the healthcare system by assisting users in gaining a better understanding of their bodies and facilitating more productive discussions with healthcare professionals.’