A woman in Virginia believes her Oura ring helped detect her lymphoma symptoms before she received her diagnosis. Nikki Gooding, a nurse practitioner, shared her story on TikTok, explaining how the smart ring prompted her to seek medical attention.
The Oura ring, which looks like a simple wedding band, tracks various health metrics, including movement, temperature, sleep quality, and heart rate. Gooding said she wears her ring daily and started noticing concerning data after returning from a trip. She experienced night sweats and extreme fatigue, which she initially ignored. However, the app associated with her ring showed alarming signs.
Gooding pointed out a screenshot from her Oura app that indicated “major signs” of distress in her body. Her readiness score, which measures recovery and activity levels, dropped significantly, staying between 30 and 40, which is unusually low. Additionally, the ring tracked her body temperature, revealing it was consistently higher than her baseline. At one point, her temperature spiked 2.7 degrees above what was normal for her.
Night sweats and fatigue can be symptoms of serious conditions like lymphoma, and Gooding’s experience aligns with that. A month after her symptoms began, she discovered a mass that led to her lymphoma diagnosis. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and credits the Oura ring for alerting her to the changes in her body.
Despite being a healthcare professional, Gooding was hesitant to seek help until the Oura ring provided clear evidence of her declining health. She emphasized that without the data from her ring, she might have delayed seeking treatment, potentially worsening her condition.
While the Oura ring collects useful health data, it is important to note that it is not a medical device and is not designed to diagnose illnesses. The company states that the ring can provide insights into overall health and even warn users of potential illness through features like the Symptom Radar, which monitors key metrics.
Gooding’s story serves as a reminder of the potential benefits of health-tracking technology. She concluded her TikTok by encouraging others to consider using an Oura ring for their health management.