Understanding The Basics Of Health Monitoring

With technological advancements and easy access to the world’s knowledge with our smartphones, it makes it easier to monitor your health from home. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting countless lives across the globe, taking care of your health is now more important than ever.

You may visit a doctor once or twice a year for a health checkup, but a healthcare professional won’t have the lived experience of being in your body. It would help if you took responsibility for your health because you are the first person who will notice any changes in your body or your health. Why not take matters into your own hands and play Doctor by monitoring your health between your appointments? This allows you to check on symptoms and keep track of any ongoing conditions before your next visit. 

While it is recommended that you take steps to ensure your health by eating healthier foods and exercising regularly, it’s also a good idea to take an additional step by monitoring your health so that you can detect any health issues early on, allowing you to get timely healthcare before the problem escalates. 

Here are some simple tests or health monitoring devices you might want to get to keep track of your health. 

Types of Health Monitoring Devices

• Thermometer

A thermometer should be a staple in any household, and checking your temperature now and then to ensure that you do not have a fever is important. A high temperature will be the first sign that your body is experiencing something out of the norm. 

A fever should not be any immediate cause for concern as it can indicate your body is fighting a virus or a bacterial infection. It might highlight a severe underlying problem in some cases, and if the fever persists for more than a few days, you should visit a doctor. 

If you are worried that your fever is a symptom of COVID-19, you should immediately self-isolate and conduct a swab test at home or a clinic. 

• Pulse Oximeter

This device will measure your pulse and your oxygen levels when attached to your fingertip. The pulse oximeter may not be the most accurate because the reading might be affected by skin thickness, use of nail polish, and poor circulation. 

Ideally, your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) should read between 95% to 100% to indicate a healthy oxygen level, though people with lung problems may show a lower reading. You should see a doctor assess your oxygen levels if the reading shows anything below 95%. 

• Blood Pressure Cuff or Blood Pressure Monitor

If you are living with hypertension or just health-conscious, investing in a blood pressure cuff to monitor allows you to integrate this simple check as part of your health monitoring. 

High blood pressure is often called a silent killer because there are rarely any symptoms even as it impacts your health. High blood pressure can be a factor for heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney disease, so check your blood pressure regularly. 

A normal blood pressure reading in a healthy adult should read 120/80, and if it’s higher, you should continue monitoring it over some time. If the high blood pressure persists, you need to seek help and advice from a doctor on ways to lower your blood pressure. 

• Blood Glucose Meter

This device is a must-have for people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels and check if their levels are within the range their doctors have given them. If your blood sugar falls outside the acceptable range, you should consult with your Doctor to modify your diet or medication. 

Go for Physical Examinations 

• Skin Checks

Do a head-to-toe examination of your skin once a month and look out for any new growths or moles that have changed, rashes or crusty or bleeding spots. If you spot any of these on your body, consult a dermatologist as they might signify skin cancer. 

• Testicular Self-Examination

Hold your scrotum in the palm of your hand and use your fingers to feel for any lumps or swelling. Men need to check for lumps in their testicles regularly so that it’s easier for them to spot any abnormalities right away. If you find anything unusual, visit your Doctor. 

• Breast Self-Examination

To check for lumps in your breast, you need to conduct a visual test by looking in the mirror at your breasts for any changes in shape and then using your fingers to check for any lumps in the area from your breasts to your armpits. Schedule a mammogram if you find any abnormalities. 

• Feet Check for Diabetic Patients

For individuals with diabetes, there are several things you may already be doing to monitor your condition, like watching your diet and measuring your glucose levels daily. Nerve damage and a loss of feeling can be a problem for diabetics, especially in extremities like your feet. Checking your feet daily for any unhealed cuts or scrapes can help you spot a problem and fix it as soon as possible. 

Always check with your Doctor

These tests are a great way to monitor your health at home and to keep track of any ongoing conditions that you might have. Early detection is always the quickest path to diagnosing a problem and finding a solution. If you encounter any changes to your body and health, you should visit a medical professional for a checkup and refrain from diagnosing and treating yourself.