Drug overdoses are one of the top causes of death in people who are under the age of 40. In fact, 70,000 people died last year from a drug overdose. Opioids are one of the most causes of drug overdoses. Health experts have been trying to find ways to prevent people from dying from drug overdoses.
Jacob Sunshine is an assistant professor of pain medicine and anesthesiology at the University of Washington. He stated that drug overdoses can be reversed with respiratory therapy or naloxone. However, the challenge is getting people the help that they need.
There is a new app that can potentially save the lives of people who have overdosed. It has a sonar system that monitors a person’s breathing. If a person’s respiration rate is fewer than seven breaths per minute, then it will a signal will go off. An alarm will go off if a person goes more than 30 seconds without a breath. If a person does not respond to the alarm, then it will alert 911 or the person’s family.
Shyanmath Golloka is an associate professor of engineering and computer science at Washington. He stated that the app was designed to where it can tell the difference between central sleep apnea and an overdose. The effectiveness of the app has already been tested.
There 47 subjects tested. The results of the study showed that the app was able to detect when 45 out of the 47 subjects stopped breathing for more than 30 seconds. The researchers decided to test the app again. It was tested on patients who had received anesthesia. The app was able to detect when 19 out of the 20 patients lost consciousness and stopped breathing on their own.
Even thought the app is effective, it has its flaws. The user has to be on a flat surface and stationery in order to get an accurate reading. People who are homeless or not in stable housing may have a problem with this. They also have to start using the app after they inject themselves.
Read the full report: http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/smartphone-app-may-help-detect-opioid-overdose/
Dil Bole Oberoi
