Google phone cameras will read heart, breathing rates with AI help

Cameras on Google Pixel smartphones will be able to measure heart and breathing rates starting next month, in one of the first applications of Alphabet Inc's artificial intelligence technology to its wellness services.

Health programs available on Google Play's store and Apple Inc's App Store for years have provided the same functionality. But a study in 2017 found accuracy varied and adoption of the apps remains low.

Google Health leaders told reporters earlier this week they had advanced the AI powering the measurements and plan to detail its method and clinical trial in an academic paper in the coming weeks. The company expects to roll out the feature to other Android smartphones at an unspecified time, it said in a blog post on Thursday, but plans for iPhones are unclear.

Apple's Watch, Google's Fitbit and other wearables have greatly expanded the reach of continuous heart rate sensing technologies to a much larger population.

The smartphone camera approach is more ad hoc - users who want to take a pulse place their finger over the lens, which catches subtle color changes that correspond to blood flow. Respiration is calculated from video of upper torso movements.

Google Health product manager Jack Po said that the company wanted to give an alternative to manual pulse checks for smartphone owners who only want to monitor their condition occasionally but cannot afford a wearable.

Po said the technology, which can mistake heart rates by about 2 percent, requires further testing before it could be used in medical settings.

The new feature will be available as an update to the Google Fit app.

Google consolidated its health services about two years ago, aiming to better compete with Apple, Samsung Electronics Co and other mobile technology companies that have invested heavily in marketing wellness offerings.

-reuters-

How to know if your child has pneumonia

MANILA - What seems like common cough and colds may actually be a symptom of a deadly disease.

Based on 2010 records, pneumonia is the number one cause of death in children in the Philippines.

The disease is characterized by an infection on the lining of the air sacs, which may be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

In an interview on dzMM, Dr. Katrina Florcruz, a pediatrician, explained that there are some types of pneumonia that do not have symptoms.

In children, it is better for parents to monitor the condition of their children to know when to get them checked.

"Ang mahirap po kasi sa bata, hindi po sila marunong magsabi kung anong nararamdaman. Madalas lang po nakikita natin, iritable o kaya lupaypay," Florcruz said.

It is also essential to count the number of breaths per minute. For children younger than 10 months, less than 50 breaths per minute is normal, while less than 40 breaths per minute is normal for children aged one to five.

Less than 30 breaths per minute is normal for children five years and older.

Aside from difficulty in breathing, some children may also be irritable, and may suffer from skin discoloration, which is a sign that the pneumonia is already severe.

In certain cases, the parent must bring their child to the hospital even when they do not have cough or colds.

Some children also suffer from aspiration pneumonia, which occurs when fluid enters the child's lungs. This may happen when a child is overfed, or when the child is fed while in a lying position.

"Halimbawa, kung ang laman ng tiyan ay biglang bumalik, pwede po kasi siyang pumunta sa baga, and that can be a cause for pneumonia," Florcruz said.

To prevent aspiration pneumonia, parents are advised to be careful in feeding their children, especially when they have a cough.

According to Florcruz, a lot of children die from pneumonia because parents are not aware that the disease is treatable and preventable.

A vaccine against pneumonia can be given to a child as early as six weeks after birth. The doctor will then prescribe a schedule for the remaining shots.

In case a child is already infected, Florcruz advises bringing him or her to a doctor for proper treatment.

November 12 is World Pneumonia Day.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why too much sleepiness is a dangerous symptom

MANILA -- Do you feel sleepy all throughout the day? You might think it's just because of lack of sleep, but it can also be red flag for something more serious.

In an interview on dzMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Dr. Mike Sarte, a sleep medicine specialist, explained the symptoms and causes of sleep apnea, and how it can cause death.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing. Although it does not cause immediate death, it can trigger serious health problems.

Symptoms

Sarte said that the symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, witnessed apnea, and daytime sleepiness. He added that all these symptoms are experienced by a person before he or she can be diagnosed with sleep apnea.

He explained that snoring is normal, but habitual snoring is not.

"Ito yung kapag madalas na humihilik, yung tuwing matutulog, naghihilik. Tapos sobrang lakas humilik, na kahit isarado mo na ang pinto, pakinig mo pa rin."

"Yung witnessed apnea, iyun yung nakikita ng ibang tao, pwedeng iyung bed partner mo, na bigla na lang tumitigil ang paghinga mo. Iyung humihilik ka, tapos biglang titigil, tapos hihilik ulit," Sarte added.

Daytime sleepiness is when a person feels sleepy or falls asleep any time within the day.

"May mga tao na biglang nakakatulog. Ang tawag dun, microsleep. Delikado yun kasi sa US, isa ito sa causes ng motor vehicle accidents, yung falling asleep while driving."

Sarte added that people who are diagnosed with sleep apnea shouldn't be allowed to drive.

What happens when we sleep?
Sarte explained that people normally go through different cycles of sleep, known as the non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and REM sleep.

Non-REM sleep is the transition from being awake to being asleep. REM is when people go on a deep sleep, when they start dreaming.

People with sleep apnea do not reach both cycles.

"Kung may sleep apnea, hindi ka umaabot sa REM or non-REM stage. Tumunog lang ang cellphone mo, magigising ka kaagad. Hindi talaga nakakatulog," Sarte said.

He added that what's important for people is the quality of sleep, as the duration differs from person to person.

"Una, yung quality. Pangalawa, yung duration, pero depende yun sa tao. At least 5 to 8 hours, pero may mga taong okay na sila sa 5 hours of sleep."

Causes
Sarte said that sleep apnea can be caused either by genetics, or by excess weight.

People who experience soft tissue collapse in their nose and throats may suffer from sleep apnea, as their airways may be obstructed.

Having large tonsils can also obstruct airways.

"Karamihan sa mga humihilik, nakabukas ang bibig kasi naba-block ang ilong. We are preferential nasal breathers."

Sarte added that some children have excess tissues in their throat and nose, which make sound when they breathe.

Men who are overweight are also more prone to sleep apnea, as the excess weight in the body puts more pressure on the area around the nose and throat.

"Kapag humihinto sa paghinga, bumababa ang oxygen level at nagkakaproblema ang puso. It also causes arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)."

What makes sleep apnea deadly?

Although sleep apnea as it is does not cause sudden death, it can be deadly as it causes complications like hypertension, Type II diabetes, congestive heart failure and stroke.

Sarte said that losing weight can help a lot in preventing sleep apnea.

He also advised against eating heavy dinner, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking a lot before sleeping.

Those who suffer from sleep apnea because of genetic causes can undergo surgery to remove excess tissues that block the airways.

He added that sleeping on one's side can help clear the airways and can prevent snoring.

One can also use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, which is attached to a mask worn over the mouth and nose that pushes air through the nose and airways.

This machine facilitates continuous sleep, and prevents pauses in breathing.

Sarte said that this machine is locally available, and can be bought for about P40,000 to P45,000.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com