Keenan: Is RFK Jr. 'bonkers' or is it time for a wearable?
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A study published in Digital Health in 2022 found that 'Apple Watch Series 6 can reliably detect states of reduced blood oxygen saturation with SpO2 below 90 per cent when compared to a medical-grade pulse oximeter.'
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Smartwatches vary in what other medical parameters they can measure. The higher-end models feature electrocardiogram functionality, and this capability is improving as artificial intelligence is integrated. Several studies show that they can play a role in detecting serious conditions, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). A recent article by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine concluded that 'AI-enhanced wearable and portable devices represent a transformative force in cardiovascular care by enabling efficient, equitable, and accessible care directly in the communities.'
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Closer to home, a beloved University of Calgary professor had some cardiac problems. His class passed the hat to buy him an end-of-term gift. It was a large class, so they were able to get him an Apple Watch, which he still wears.
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Sleep tracking was a major appeal of a smartwatch for me. Mine produces a daily sleep score, which can range from 0 to 100. I made it to 79 last night, which pleased me greatly. The manufacturer's website, garmin.com, explains the calculation, saying 'It includes how much time you spent in, and the patterns formed between, the light, deep and REM sleep stages. Experts say these affect your mental and physical recovery. Deep sleep, for example, helps with muscle recovery.'
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Critics of health trackers note that some people become obsessed with their numbers in an unhealthy manner. Also, we may be sending intimate information to a company that might not respect our privacy. At the very least, I recommend using a newly created email address that's not linked to your name when you sign up for a fitness tracking website.
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If you need another reason, consider my all-time favourite headline from Gizmodo, 'Your fuelband knows when you're having sex.' As author Adam Clark Estes wrote back in 2013, 'How else do you explain getting a half hour of exercise late at night without taking a single step?'
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Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta reports 1,314 confirmed measles cases since March, surpassing U.S. number
Article content EDMONTON — Alberta has surpassed the United States in confirmed measles cases, after 30 new cases were diagnosed over the weekend. Article content The province reported Monday that it has seen 1,314 cases since the beginning of March. Article content Article content The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,288 cases so far this year across 39 states, though case numbers are updated weekly with the next update expected on Wednesday. Article content Article content The outbreak of the highly contagious disease hasn't led to any deaths so far in Alberta, but three people, including two children, have died in the United States. Article content Article content The U.S. has also seen more hospitalizations, with the CDC reporting 162 people, or 13 per cent of all cases, being hospitalized compared to 102 Albertans as of earlier this month. Article content Alberta's measles dashboard says two people are currently in hospital, including one person receiving intensive care. Article content Dr. Craig Jenne, an immunology and infectious disease professor at the University of Calgary, says once measles started spreading at the community level, Alberta's low vaccination rate meant it was only a matter of time before the province surpassed the U.S. in cases. Article content 'This was largely predictable,' he said in an interview. Article content 'It was pretty clear we were going to see growth, unfortunately, for several weeks to months.' Article content Article content Jenne said the speed at which measles has and continues to spread in Alberta is concerning. Last week, Alberta reached the highest per capita infection rate in North America, despite outbreaks in other jurisdictions like Ontario or Texas starting months earlier than in Alberta. Article content Article content 'It really is spreading quite easily here,' Jenne said. Article content 'And we've not yet seen significant mitigation of the spread that perhaps some other jurisdictions have been able to manage.' Article content Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist with the University of Alberta, said she expects Alberta's situation to get worse before it gets any better. Article content 'It's absolutely appalling and it shouldn't really happen, but it is where we are,' Saxinger said. Article content 'This whole thing is just really not where I thought we'd be in 2025.' Article content Both Jenne and Saxinger said the actual number of cases on either side of the border is likely much higher than what's been confirmed.
a day ago
Alberta's measles outbreaks surpass case counts reported for entire U.S.
Alberta has now confirmed more measles cases than the entire United States has reported this year. The province has been battling outbreaks since March and as of noon Monday, total case counts in the province had ballooned to 1,314. The latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (new window) shows that country has amassed 1,288 cases this year. Looking at the numbers it saddens me, said Dr. Sam Wong, the president of the section of pediatrics with the Alberta Medical Association. I think if we had gotten to it sooner — and taken it more seriously sooner — then maybe we would not have reached this milestone where one province actually exceeds the entire case count for the United States, which has got 10 times the population as Canada. Thirty new cases were reported between midday Friday and noon Monday. It's absolutely terrible, said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist with the University of Alberta. It is really a massive scale of spread that's going on right now. It is widely believed by experts and health officials that Alberta's case counts are higher than the confirmed numbers reflect. A standing exposure advisory remains in effect for the entire south zone and parts of the north due to widespread transmission. And the Alberta government's measles website (new window) says cases are likely going unreported and undetected. Saxinger worries about the impact of large summer gatherings such as the Calgary Stampede, which just ended on Sunday. I don't think we've seen a suggestion of things levelling off and now there's large meetings of people and after that school will be back in. So I think there's still a period of serious vulnerability to increasing numbers for a while, said Saxinger. As an infectious diseases specialist I never would have guessed this was going to happen because measles is supposed to be eradicated. The south, north and central health zones have been the hardest hit by outbreaks. According to provincial data (new window) , there had been 102 hospitalizations, including 15 ICU admissions, as of July 5. No deaths have been reported. The latest national statistics (new window) shows 58 per cent of the new cases reported during the week of June 22 to June 28 were in Alberta. We know that per capita we have more measles cases in Alberta than really anywhere else in North America, said Craig Jenne, a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary. We have heard stories that there may be underreporting in the U.S. but even the fact that we're close to those numbers is quite concerning given we have almost a hundredth the population. Enlarge image (new window) Craig Jenne is a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary. He's also the deputy director of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Photo: Fournie par Craig Jenne Transmission rate The latest case breakdown shows there have been a total of 774 cases in the south zone, 35 in Calgary zone, 107 in central zone, 13 in the Edmonton zone and 385 in the north. Perhaps the more concerning aspect, at least for me, is not the total number of cases, it's how quickly we've gotten here, said Jenne, who is also the deputy director of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Alberta's measles outbreaks have snowballed more quickly than Ontario's, which started in October, according to Jenne. That province, which has three times the population of Alberta, had confirmed 1,934 as of July 8, with another 310 probable cases. It is growing much more rapidly here…[The] rate of transmission is very concerning. Mass immunization clinics Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature delivery and even death. Young children, pregnant individuals and those with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. I'm really afraid that we're going to see terrible outcomes in babies and kids under five because that's the most vulnerable group across the board, said Saxinger. She's calling on the provincial government to take key steps to rein in the outbreaks, including setting up mass vaccination clinics and campaigns. I think there can be a lot of unintended barriers for people who even want to get their vaccines updated…It can be really hard to book actually getting it, she said. Saxinger also wants the province to target school-aged children for vaccination before they head back to school in the fall. And, like other physicians, Saxinger is calling on the province to offer an early and extra vaccine dose to babies as young as six months old in all regions. The extra shot is only being offered in the south, central and north zones. CBC News asked the government for a response but did not immediately hear back. Pregnant Albertans, who are at high risk as well, need to know they should seek help if they've potentially been exposed, according to Saxinger, and vaccine messaging in general needs to be improved. I think it really has to be a big priority for elected officials to remind people, because not everyone watches the news [and] not everyone gets the same information. Jennifer Lee (new window) · CBC News · Reporter Jennifer Lee is a CBC News reporter based in Calgary. She worked at CBC Toronto, Saskatoon and Regina before landing in Calgary in 2002. If you have a health or human interest story to share, let her know.
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
Keenan: Is RFK Jr. 'bonkers' or is it time for a wearable?
Are the good ones really accurate? You'd certainly expect a smartwatch to count your steps properly since that problem was solved in 1780. What about more subtle parameters like peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (Sp02 )? This is what they measure in a hospital or doctor's office by putting a device similar to a clothespin on your finger. A drop can indicate circulatory or breathing problems. It can also help detect sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops for 10 seconds or more. Article content A study published in Digital Health in 2022 found that 'Apple Watch Series 6 can reliably detect states of reduced blood oxygen saturation with SpO2 below 90 per cent when compared to a medical-grade pulse oximeter.' Article content Smartwatches vary in what other medical parameters they can measure. The higher-end models feature electrocardiogram functionality, and this capability is improving as artificial intelligence is integrated. Several studies show that they can play a role in detecting serious conditions, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). A recent article by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine concluded that 'AI-enhanced wearable and portable devices represent a transformative force in cardiovascular care by enabling efficient, equitable, and accessible care directly in the communities.' Article content Article content Closer to home, a beloved University of Calgary professor had some cardiac problems. His class passed the hat to buy him an end-of-term gift. It was a large class, so they were able to get him an Apple Watch, which he still wears. Article content Sleep tracking was a major appeal of a smartwatch for me. Mine produces a daily sleep score, which can range from 0 to 100. I made it to 79 last night, which pleased me greatly. The manufacturer's website, explains the calculation, saying 'It includes how much time you spent in, and the patterns formed between, the light, deep and REM sleep stages. Experts say these affect your mental and physical recovery. Deep sleep, for example, helps with muscle recovery.' Article content Critics of health trackers note that some people become obsessed with their numbers in an unhealthy manner. Also, we may be sending intimate information to a company that might not respect our privacy. At the very least, I recommend using a newly created email address that's not linked to your name when you sign up for a fitness tracking website. Article content If you need another reason, consider my all-time favourite headline from Gizmodo, 'Your fuelband knows when you're having sex.' As author Adam Clark Estes wrote back in 2013, 'How else do you explain getting a half hour of exercise late at night without taking a single step?'
