The best medical gadgets today give you access to healthcare anywhere and anytime. These gadgets combine efficient and advanced technology with clinical expertise, providing a new approach to healthcare. Here are some of the most widely available medical devices that simplify healthcare for you and your family.
1. Air Purifiers
Air purifiers with a true HEPA filter, like UV Care or Blueair, remove airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, smoke, and other pollutants. They're used in hospitals and nursing homes to improve patient comfort and reduce bacteria that can cause infections and diseases. Today, air purifiers have become a popular medical home care device.
The best air purifiers can reduce threats from the COVID-19 virus and chronic pulmonary diseases (COPD). Research from the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine shows that these devices have potential health benefits for former smokers with COPD. The United States Environmental Protection Agency also says that when used correctly and following other safety measures, air cleaners can reduce transmission of COVID-19.
2. Fall Detection Gadgets
Fall detection gadgets monitor a person's heart rate, motion, and sound levels. They provide security for people living alone, alerting caregivers when the sensors detect movement. If you're taking care of an elderly parent or persons with disabilities or dementia, these monitoring devices give you peace of mind.
Thankfully, there are a lot of gadgets available that detect falls and help you care for an at-risk loved one:
- Smart Caregiver specializes in sensor mats, floor pads, and cordless/corded devices that notify caregivers when a person gets up or is about to walk away.
- The Get Safe Medical Alert system uses several devices with voice and standard buttons to trigger alarms and send medical help.
- One of the most affordable solutions, Bluestar Sentry connects to your phone and sends an alert at a push of a button.
3. Smart Body Composition Scales
If you're concerned about your health, you probably regularly check your weight and BMI or Body Mass Index. However, weight and BMI are just some indicators of good health. Measuring BMI, body fat percentage, and other health indicators gives you a more accurate picture of your fitness level.
One of the best gifts you can give fitness lovers, smart body composition scales like QardioBase X measure multiple metrics such as BMI, body fat, water, muscle mass, and weight. It also syncs with a dedicated app and tracks the progress of multiple users.
4. Online Prescription Sites and Apps
Do you or your loved ones take maintenance medicine? Save that trip to the pharmacy by subscribing to prescription sites. You might even get a good discount on your meds.
Using Felix, you can get an online prescription from a licensed healthcare practitioner online and if applicable, have your medicine delivered for free. With an online prescription, you enjoy discreet delivery of medicine for mental, sexual, or general health. Meanwhile, GoodRx compares medicine prices from different pharmacies and helps you find the best price for your pills.
5. Smart Pill Organizers
So you got your medicines from your online prescription app. How do you make sure that you remember to take them? A smart pill organizer like EllieGrid ensures you never miss your pills again.
EllieGrid has seven compartments that organize your pills by type. You can add the pill information on EllieGrid's app. When it's time to take your medications, EllieGrid's pillbox sends an alert and lets you know through light indicators which pill and how many you should take.
6. Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches
Sometimes, having a personal assistant to remind you to care for your health better sounds like a good idea. Wouldn't it be great if someone automatically kept tabs on your sleep, exercise activities, and other health concerns? If this sounds like a ridiculous luxury, you're missing out on the benefits of a fitness tracker or smartwatch.
Not all wearables have the same features, so take note of the factors to consider when shopping for a fitness tracker or smartwatch. The latest watchOS 9 updates for Apple Watches show your Afib (atrial fibrillation) History, which tracks irregular heartbeats that may lead to complications. Non-Apple fans might want a more affordable Huawei smartwatch. Check which Huawei wearables finally support third-party apps, so you'll enjoy additional features on your smartwatch.
7. Glucose Monitors
Home glucose monitors measure glucose levels in your bloodstream. It's a convenient device that lets you track your sugar levels at home instead of running to the lab constantly. While costly, glucose monitors are a potentially life-saving gadget for people with diabetes.
If you're worried about costs, you can choose from different types of glucose meters. The most conventional ones require you to draw blood from your fingertips. Alternatives let you take blood samples in less painful areas, such as your thighs or arms.
However, if drawing blood from anywhere doesn't appeal to you, you can opt for a continuous glucose monitor like Dexcom G7. While more expensive, this type of glucose monitor uses a disposable sensor to monitor glucose fluctuations in real-time. The sensor then transmits data to a mobile app, so you can view your records conveniently.
8. Fertility Trackers
Fertility trackers predict ovulation and help women become more aware of their menstrual cycle. A study published in Digit Health shows that fertility-tracking apps offer a safe environment for women to learn about their bodies. It also found that tracking via apps helps women become aware of irregularities in their cycle, which they can discuss with their doctors.
You can use free fertility tracking apps like Flo Period Tracker and Calendar. But if you want a more detailed and accurate record of hormone levels, you can also use an all-in-one fertility tracker like Mira. Mira detects hormone changes and your most fertile days using lab-grade technology and urine samples. It then sends your data to the Mira app for easy tracking.
9. Future Technology
Current technology that we use now may have more uses in the future. For example, healthcare facilities may use smart floorboards like Sole with SensFloor Technology for fall detection. One day, smart floorboards might become the mainstay in the regular consumer's home. A study published in JMIR publications also shows that smart thermostats collect patient data better than traditional surveys and have potential use in remote patient monitoring.
Furthermore, medical gadgets that can simplify healthcare are continually being innovated as we speak. The European Society of Cardiology reports on AI-related research that uses selfies to detect heart disease using selfies. And if you think that's astonishing, wait until you read about the Wyss Institute's 3D bioprinting of living tissues. With rapid advancements in technology, we have no doubt that more healthcare innovations will be unveiled soon.
Taking Care of Your Health Has Never Been Simpler
Taking better care of your health has never been easier with the wide range of medical gadgets available today. They include wearables, websites, apps, and other devices that improve your health, give early medical alerts, or offer convenient ways to know about your body's condition. The list above isn't exhaustive, but you can use it to decide which gadgets to prioritize.
Healthcare doesn't come cheap, but with these medical gadgets, it has become simpler. Hopefully, future innovations will create more accessible and affordable solutions for more people. Which medical gadgets will you invest in first?