Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea
Sleep is fundamental to our health, yet most adults don’t get enough of it. Studies show that roughly one in three Americans report insufficient sleep. Furthermore, an estimated 80% to 90% of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs), such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), remain undiagnosed and therefore untreated.
Many individuals fail to recognize the symptoms, preventing them from seeking medical evaluation and diagnosis. Given sleep’s critical role in physical recovery, immune function, and mental clarity, the need for more accessible and affordable solutions to address sleep issues has never been more evident.
Why Traditional Sleep Studies Are Often Out of Reach
Medical experts have long considered polysomnograms, or in-lab sleep studies, the best way to diagnose OSA. But the tests can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on location and insurance coverage. For many, the price tag is enough to push them away; it makes pursuing a diagnosis nearly impossible, leaving most people’s conditions untreated – putting their health at risk.
The result? Most of those patients remain undiagnosed and unaware of the health risks they face. This includes cardiovascular complications, cognitive decline, and immune system suppression.
Recent studies show that 30% to 50% of consumers now use self-monitoring tools for health management, including sleep—reflecting a growing demand for accessible, at-home solutions. In response, at-home sleep diagnostics are transforming how patients and medical experts collaborate to diagnose and manage OSA. These sleep technologies offer a cost-effective, accessible alternative to lab-based studies while maintaining high standards of accuracy and reliability.
Features of Modern At-Home Sleep Devices
Wearable sleep diagnostic devices offer an alternative to methods used in time’s past. These tools offer a blend of comfort, convenience, and advanced technology. Most of the devices include:
- Bluetooth®-enabled technology: Bluetooth® helps the device easily connect to apps for real-time data sharing and analysis.
- Cardiopulmonary Coupling (CPC): This technology, proprietary to SleepImage, analyzes heart and respiratory patterns to measure sleep quality and detect signs of OSA.
- Multi-night monitoring: This allows the device to gather data over several nights for a more complete view of sleep health.
These tools encourage more people to seek diagnosis and treatment by prioritizing ease of use and non-invasiveness. Patients can wear lightweight devices in the comfort of their own homes instead of navigating wires and machines in a sleep lab.
With CPC’s advanced analytics, these devices deliver clinical-grade results, making early detection of OSA both practical and reliable. Moreover, multi-night monitoring provides a more comprehensive assessment than a single night in a lab. The devices can better identify irregularities and refine diagnostic accuracy by capturing variations in sleep patterns. For patients, this means fewer false negatives and a higher likelihood of receiving the care they need.
Supporting Telemedicine and Expanding Access
Telemedicine has largely changed how patients interact with healthcare providers. Wearable devices allow patients to share their sleep data directly with board-certified sleep physicians, who analyze the results and provide personalized treatment plans without requiring an office visit.
This convenience is important, especially when considering that only 66% of physicians routinely ask patients about their sleep habits. Wearable technology ensures that sleep concerns are addressed during telemedicine consultations, improving early detection rates and connecting patients with the care they need. For rural or underserved communities, these devices bridge the gap between patients and specialists, eliminating the need for travel or lengthy waiting periods.
The High Stakes of Ignoring OSA
OSA isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s tied to serious health risks, including:
- Heart complications: OSA-related cardiovascular issues contribute to 38,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
- Stroke and Hypertension: Poor sleep can exacerbate these conditions, significantly impacting overall health. Research suggests that individuals who sleep fewer than five hours per night may be up to three times more likely to experience a stroke compared to those who get seven hours of sleep.
- Cognitive impairment:
OSA can also lead to diabetes, depression, and up to 40 known chronic conditions if left untreated. Studies have shown that people who sleep six hours or less experience more intense increases in blood pressure, which can worsen existing health problems.
90% of people with OSA remain undiagnosed, underscoring the need for solutions that are easy to access and implement. For these individuals, wearable diagnostics could be the difference between prolonged suffering and timely intervention.
The Science of Sleep and Why It Matters
Sleep isn’t just about recharging. It supports the body’s natural recovery processes including:
- Physical health: Your immune system releases proteins that helps fight infections and reduce inflammation during deep sleep. REM sleep helps speed up cellular repair, muscle growth, and hormone regulation.
- Cognitive health: Sleep is important in processing memories and refining motor skills. REM sleep stabilizes learned information, improving focus and decision-making.
Without adequate sleep, neurotransmitters can’t reset, leading to difficulty concentrating and regulating emotions. Chronic sleep deprivation—a common consequence of undiagnosed OSA—can lead to long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
Sleep’s restorative properties extend to hormonal balance, which affects appetite regulation and stress levels. Disrupted sleep cycles can lead to increased cortisol levels, further complicating health outcomes. Wearable devices empower patients to reclaim these critical health benefits by wearing the devices early on.
Addressing Specific Populations and Risk Factors
OSA doesn’t affect everyone the same. Certain populations face higher risks:
- Postmenopausal women: Hormonal changes increase susceptibility to OSA.
- Individuals with PCOS or hypothyroidism: These conditions elevate the likelihood of developing OSA.
- Children and adults with abnormal craniofacial or neck anatomies:
Understanding these risk factors enables wearable diagnostic devices to offer targeted solutions. These tools provide tailored insights for diverse patient needs by monitoring specific indicators such as snoring patterns or frequent wakings through the night.
A Smarter, More Affordable Path Forward
Although few wearable devices are capable of providing medical diagnostic-quality feedback, their affordability and convenience are driving their increasing popularity. These devices offer a critical opportunity to catch problems early for populations at higher risk of OSA—such as postmenopausal women and individuals with conditions like PCOS or hypothyroidism.
Wearables also provide important insights. For example:
- They help detect subtle symptoms, like snoring or frequent nighttime awakenings, that patients may overlook.
- Their data allows physicians to tailor treatments, from lifestyle changes to intervention therapy such as CPAP or oral appliances for better outcomes.
At-home diagnostics lower barriers to care and improve long-term health outcomes by offering these capabilities at a fraction of the cost of in-lab tests.
Changing the Future of Sleep Health
As awareness of OSA and other sleep disorders grows, wearables are transforming early identification and management of these conditions. These tools make it easier than ever for patients to take control of their sleep health by combining cutting-edge technology with the convenience of telemedicine.
For healthcare professionals, adopting these technologies means improving patient outcomes while reducing costs. For patients, it’s about accessing life-changing care without unnecessary hurdles. Together, these innovations are paving the way for a healthier, more rested future.
Editor’s Note: Kirk Huntsman, is the Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Vivos Therapeutics, is a distinguished leader in the dental and healthcare industries, renowned for founding and growing successful dental service organizations (DSOs) and other pioneering healthcare technology companies such as Vivos Therapeutics.
In 1995, he founded one of the very first DSO groups, Dental One, expanding it to over 165 practices across 15 states before its sale in 2008. He later led ReachOut Healthcare America, a Morgan Stanley Private Equity portfolio company, and established both Xenith Practices and Ortho Ventures. As a founding member of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), he continues to shape the industry’s future. In 2016, Kirk co-founded Vivos Therapeutics, where he serves as its CEO and chairman. In 2020, he led the Company through an IPO and multiple FDA regulatory clearances while driving major advancements in sleep medicine technology.
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