Apple Watch elevated disturbances
Hi, I’ve just bought an Apple Watch to track my sleep as I’ve been very sleepy most afternoons and had trouble staying awake at work. I’m repeatedly getting notifications that I’ve had elevated sleep disturbances, on average a breathing disturbance value of 70. Does anyone know hat this breathing disturbance value means?
I’m a bit worried now, as if I do have sleep apnea am I at risk of having my driving license taken from me, as I need to drive to get to work.
Any help or info appreciated. Thanks.
Thank you everyone. I went to see my GP a few months ago, and they do think it’s very likely I have sleep apnea. They’ve referred me to a sleep clinic for testing. I’m hoping the appointment won’t be too long now and then I can get started with cpap eventually. It’s really affected my life and I feel so drained all the time, I just have all the symptoms and find it so hard to stay awake at work, but trying my best to look after myself.
I feel slightly anxious about using cpap but I so want my life back that I know it will be necessary.An Apple Watch can sometimes highlight changes in breathing during sleep, but it can't diagnose sleep apnea. If you're getting repeated notifications and feeling very sleepy during the day, it's worth discussing with your doctor and asking whether further testing is needed.
As for driving, getting checked for a possible sleep issue does not automatically mean losing your license. Hopefully you can get some clarity on what's causing the daytime sleepiness. Best of luck.
Thank you for weighing in. You are so right that it is best to check in with a doctor. An apple watch or similar device might give some limited data that a doctor might like to see, but these devices are not really designed for diagnostic purposes. And I agree that with the treatments available for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, it rarely means a prohibition on driving. All the best, Kathy (Team member)
Hi
. Welcome to the community! It's hard to say for sure whether those devices are accurate. If you're not wearing it right or if it loses contact with your skin during the night, that could impact the reading. So, I would give your doctor a call and schedule another sleep study.
Do you use a CPAP? If so, you might need the pressure adjusted. If not, it might be time to start using one. You won't lose your driver's license over a sleep apnea diagnosis, but you could end up in an accident if you have sleep apnea and you don't treat it. Please keep us posted, if you don't mind. I'll be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
