There are many reasons why people might want to use diagnostic tools at home to monitor their health. With the threat of chronic disease and the ageing population, there is an increasing need for people to take a proactive approach to protect their health. Home diagnostic devices can help people identify potential wellness problems early on, allowing them to seek treatment before the condition worsens.
Taking personal wellbeing into our hands gives us a sense of control and can help take some pressure off our overworked healthcare system. Having access to specific devices can also help manage certain conditions and give us insight into our overall health.
Many different types of home diagnostic devices are available on the market, from blood pressure monitors to smart scales. Choosing a suitable device for you will depend on your individual needs and health concerns.
Should You Use Diagnostic Tools at Home?
We should all prioritise our health and wellness, with home diagnostic devices being valuable tools that allow us to do this. By monitoring our own health, we can identify potential problems early and take steps to prevent them from becoming severe.
We can use these tools to track our health over time and look for patterns that might indicate a problem. For example, if you notice that your blood pressure is consistently high, this could be a sign of hypertension. Or, if you see that you are gaining weight even though you are eating the same amount and exercising the same amount, this could be a sign of insulin resistance.
While home diagnostic devices can be helpful, it is essential to remember that they are not a substitute for regular medical care. It is always best to check with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.
4 Essential Diagnostic Tools at Home to Monitor Health
If you are ready to take hold of your wellbeing and are interested in using home diagnostic devices to monitor your health, here are four essential tools to consider:
1. Blood Pressure Monitor
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke and vascular dementia. In England, it is reported that 31% of men and 26% of women have high blood pressure. These figures equate to 1 in 4 people who suffer from this condition, which is often described as a 'silent killer'.
While there are many causes of high blood pressure, it is often a result of lifestyle factors such as being overweight, eating a high salt diet, drinking too much alcohol, or not getting enough exercise. Not only can these lifestyle factors affect blood pressure, but also they increase the likelihood of other conditions such as diabetes and mental health issues.
A blood pressure monitor is a device that measures the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. The British Heart Foundation recommends choosing a monitor with a cuff for your upper arm rather than your finger or wrist. When using a blood pressure monitor at home, we can stay on top of our wellness and be alerted to any potential changes in our blood pressure.
Things to consider before buying:
- Ensure it fits your arm correctly
- It is approved for usage in the UK
- If you would prefer an automatic or manual monitor
- You will need to have it serviced every two years
2. Infrared Thermometer
An infrared thermometer is a handheld device that uses infrared technology to measure the temperature of an object or person. They are often used to measure the temperature of a person's forehead, as this can indicate whether we have a fever. Fever is often a symptom of infection, and so by using an infrared thermometer, we can quickly and easily check our temperature to see if we need to seek medical attention.
Infrared thermometers are quick and easy to use and can be a valuable tool for monitoring our health at home. As the temperature is read with infrared, it is a 'no contact' approach, which is great for hygiene and also for reading a child's temperature, as it is less invasive than other thermometers.
Things to consider before buying:
- Accuracy of the readings
- Whether the temperature reading is displayed quickly
- How easy it is to use
- If there is a memory feature (so you can refer to previous readings and compare results)
3. Oximeter
An oximeter is a small device that monitors the oxygen level in your blood. It does this by using a sensor placed on your finger, which then gives you a reading of your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) level. Your SpO2 level measures how much oxygen is being carried in your blood.
If your SpO2 level is low, also known as hypoxemia, it can signal that you are not getting enough oxygen to your organs and tissues. Hypoxemia can result from many things, such as anaemia, sleep apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or asthma. By using an oximeter at home, we can keep track of our oxygen levels and be alerted to any potential changes.
Things to consider before buying:
- How accurate are the readings
- If certain factors can interfere with readings (e.g. nail varnish, dirt)
- The size of the sensor (for a comfortable fit)
4. Smart Scale
A smart scale is a weight scale that uses Bluetooth technology to send your weight readings to a smartphone or tablet app. Certain smart scales allow you to track your weight over time and set goals within the accompanying app. Some smart scales also measure other health metrics such as body fat percentage and BMI (Body Mass Index).
Weight is an important factor that can indicate our overall wellbeing. For example, carrying too much weight can put us at risk of developing obesity and other health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. We can monitor our weight and make lifestyle changes if necessary using a smart scale.
Things to consider before buying:
- The size and weight limit of the scale
- What other health metrics it measures (e.g. body fat percentage, BMI)
- How easy it is to use the app
- Whether the app is compatible with your smartphone or tablet
Final Thoughts on Diagnostic Tools at Home to Monitor Health
There are many different ways that we can monitor our health at home. By using devices such as blood pressure monitors, infrared thermometers, oximeters and smart scales, we can stay on top of our wellness and be alerted to potential changes. These diagnostic tools can give us valuable insights into our health and help us understand whether we need to make any lifestyle changes.
As always, if you're ever concerned about your health or your findings when using one of the above tools, it's crucial to speak to a medical professional for further guidance.