There are all types of apps that are hitting the market these days. Both on the iOS App Store and for Android, there are new applications added every day, some for play, others for more practical purposes.
One of the areas that are expanding rapidly is mHealth apps. mHealth refers to mobile health, which is public health and medicine that is supported by mobile devices. It is a rapidly growing field that has a myriad of potential applications. Why are mHealth apps so useful? It’s because they can improve the lives of patients, doctors, and other medical practitioners. Let’s take a look at five of the best ones that are out there right now.
BlueStar Diabetes
The BlueStar Diabetes app allows you to make good decisions as it relates to your health if you have diabetes. It is an award-winning app that is approved by the FDA. BlueStar features on-demand lessons you can take that will teach you about treating and managing your condition. It has several comprehensive health-tracking features. It also shares data with your care team, so the next time you see your doctor, you can talk with them about the progress you have made.
BlueStar has a system in place that is focused on the following areas:
- Accountability
- Motivation
- Guidance
- Education
It even has customized coaching that’s based on a unique health profile that you create. It can steer you away from unhealthy snacks and provide you with alternatives based on your likes and dislikes. It encourages you in a nonjudgmental way to make life-improving choices concerning your diet and exercise habits.
Samsung Health
The Samsung Health app is another great one that’s available for both Android and iOS devices. It’s free, and it tracks various aspects of your daily life. For instance, it can keep track of how much sleep you’re getting and the quality of that sleep. Based on that information, it can advise you on when you should go to bed, and how you can improve the quality of your slumber. You can use it to set an alarm if you tend to sleep in and miss work or school. It also keeps track of your daily physical activity. It can count how many steps you’re taking, and you can set goals through it and share your successes with family and friends on social media. You can use it to monitor your diet. You can keep track of the number of calories you are ingesting, and you can also check on the fat or cholesterol content of different foods. You can also use it to monitor your sodium intake, fiber intake, and more.
Fitbit
Fitbit has quickly grown into one of the most popular mHealth apps that are available today. It’s a free activity tracker that you can use for many different things, and it’s quite easy to master it, even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. With Fitbit, you can try out a wide variety of free workouts and fitness classes. You can set up a nutrition program for yourself based on your particular dietary needs. Because of this, Fitbit has become a favorite of athletes-in-training and individuals who have specific weight loss goals. You can use it to challenge friends and family to see which one of you can take the most steps during a day or a week. You can celebrate milestones and earn achievement badges through it, which is a great way to motivate yourself. You can even use it to set up a meditation program that can ease your stress and improve your quality of life.
Apple Heart Study
The Apple Heart Study app is truly revolutionary. You can use it to analyze your pulse rate data that is generated throughout the day. If you are someone who has a heart condition, or if there is a history of heart attack or stroke in your family, then this might be the app for you. You can use it to identify any irregular heart rhythms as they occur. If you are dealing with chronic atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias, then this app can make a record of that which you can show to your doctor. Based on that data, you can figure out changes you can make that could prolong your life and improve its quality. This app can also serve as an early warning if you’re about to have a cardiac episode. When such episodes take place, it’s critical that you receive medical attention immediately. Downloading this app and using it daily could save your life.
AliveCor’s KardiaMobile
AliveCor’s KardiaMobile app is somewhat similar to the Apple Heart Study app. It is a single-channel cardiac event recorder. The application allows you to take ECGs anywhere and at any time. What you do is download the app onto your phone, and then you can put your fingers on the electrodes and see instant results. This is the number one app recommended by doctors for personal EKG monitoring. The FDA approved this app for identifying the three most common types of heart arrhythmias. You can use it to better assess your stress triggers, which you can then avoid. The app was validated through clinical trials, and it’s quite easy to learn how to use it.
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There are already mHealth apps for smartphones, tablets, and other devices that can do amazing things. You can receive notifications when you need to take your medication. You can monitor your heart rate or blood pressure, keep track of whether you are becoming too sedentary, or you can challenge your family and friends to fun fitness challenges. It seems evident, though, that even more impressive accomplishments are still to come. It should be fascinating to see what new mHealth apps are going to appear on the market in the coming years, and how they will improve our lives. The ingenuity displayed by some of these applications is truly indicative of how far technology has come in the 21st century.
