Five Ways Technology Advances Have Improved Your Health Care

 Medicine  

Technology has allowed doctors and patients alike to get more answers and have better access to health care. Here are just a few examples technology is making medicine better.

The world of health care has greatly benefited from technological advancements over the years. From X-rays and surgical devices to medical apps, we can all enjoy better health care at the hands of technology. Here are just a few ways improved health care is possible from modern advancements:

1. Sensors Save Lives

Sensors and wearable technology have life-saving potential. Medical alert pendants are one example. Electronic sensors detect falls in progress, and trigger the dispatch of medical responders. With the touch of a button, a person in an emergent state can summon immediate assistance.

The Sproutling baby monitor eliminates worry about SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and is an example of how sensors are impacting the medical field. It's a wearable device that straps onto a baby's ankle and interfaces with a base communication device and mobile app.

The system monitors a baby's heartbeat, body temperature, movement, and the noise level in a room. It also tracks a baby's sleep patterns and behaviors. There are many wearable sensors that can help with almost any health condition you may have.

2. Smartphones Monitor Health

Smartphone apps for health are cousins with wearable technology. Medical professionals use mobile apps to access diagnostic and treatment information. Their patients use apps to monitor body functions of food intake, calorie burn, and heart rate. Apple HealthKit and Google Fit can transmit this data directly to doctors.

The BRisk app, developed by a surgeon, includes values, formulas and tables to evaluate a woman's risk for breast cancer. The GI Monitor app logs symptoms of digestive disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, which can be used to tailor treatment.

Medical devices attached to smartphones have revolutionized health care. IBGStar is a blood glucose meter that plugs into an iPhone. It tracks carbohydrate intake, blood glucose, and insulin doses. The Withings Blood Pressure Monitor uses a cuff device that attaches to an iPhone. It records blood pressure, dates readings and stores results.

3. Less-Invasive Scanners Detect Pathology

Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer. Until recently, the only way to accurately assess a mole for malignancy was by invasive surgical biopsy. The MelaFind Optical Scanner takes the guesswork out of cancer diagnosis, without surgery. Approved by the FDA, it is a hand-held tool that analyzes skin tissue. MelaFind uses technology initially developed for missile navigation to scan the surface of a suspicious lesion. The signals collected are then processed and compared with a photo registry of images.

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4. Technology Tracks Pregnancies

Physicians use ultrasound to track conditions of pregnancy. Obstetrical 4D ultrasound achieves the highest imaging quality. Ultrasounds are used to assess fetal growth, birth defects, amniotic fluid level, chromosome abnormalities, placental location and umbilical cord malformation. Pregnancy is also monitored with fetal heart rate machines. With the help of technology, doctors can track pregnancy milestones more easily and detect any health concerns.

5. Portal Technology Streamlines Healthcare

A patient portal is an online website that provides a point-of-contact between patients and doctors. With a username and password, you have 24-hour access to your personal health information. You can track lab results, medications and immunizations. You can download and complete forms to expedite office visits. Payments can be made. Many portals enable you to obtain prescription refills and referrals. You can schedule appointments. Some clinicians provide the opportunity to communicate via e-mail.

Even from home with the internet and smartphone apps, anyone can get more involved in their health care. Technology has allowed doctors and patients alike to get more answers and have better access to health care.


SOURCE  Dr. Gilbert Webb at Mercy.net

By Anita Ginsburg

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Author Bio - Anita Ginsburg is a freelance writer from Denver, CO and often writes about business, finance, education and home. She graduated from Colorado State University in 2004. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing.