Technology is evolving in so many ways. It’s allowing us to work quicker, be more productive and communicate with one another more easily. It’s also improving our health, helping us to live longer, to find new cures and conduct procedures that were once thought impossible, providing us with a new lease of life.
Here’s how technology is improving our health (in no particular order):
- It reduces the spread of disease. The Internet and social media is evolving, so much so, medical experts are now able to accurately predict medical trends by monitoring what people are searching for and talking about online. This can help medical professionals respond to disease outbreaks to ensure preventative measures are in place, thus reducing the amount of people affected.
- It diagnoses cancer earlier than ever before. IBM say their new chip can filter blood for signs of cancer. By performing a liquid biopsy that filters blood and other bodily fluids the chip can detect problems in cells or pieces of cells before tumours emerge.
- It helps fight obesity. There’s much so much hype over the new Pokémon Go App, and for a good reason. This is one of the first games to go mainstream that is getting people out of their bedrooms or off the sofa. It forces players to walk mile upon mile in order to hatch eggs in the hope of obtaining rare Pokémon and to level up.
- It makes us aware of sleep patterns. Devices such as the Fitbit and Jawbone allow sleep monitoring . By monitoring your sleep and setting goals to improve it you can reduce stress levels, the risk of diabetes and heart problems, decrease the chance of having an accident and improve your immune system.
- It helps medical professionals monitor patient’s vital signs. The Zephyr Anywhere’s BioPatch allows medical professionals to monitor patient’s vitals in hospital or at home via their smart device. This enables them to tend to a patient’s needs when any issues arise, helping to improve upon the care a patient receives.
- It’s has the potential to reduce organ donation waiting times. 429 patients in the UK died last year while waiting for an organ transplant, and the waiting lists continue to grow. However 3D printing technology could provide a solution and save thousands of lives. 3D printing has recently been used to print embryonic stem cells and it’s hoped this could lead to the manufacture of biological materials on demand, including human tissue and organs.
- It’s making us aware of what we eat. Mobile apps such as MyFitnessPal are helping users to be aware of the fats, salt and calories in the food they’re eating. This is helping people alter their diets and is encouraging healthy eating.
- It’s improving our fitness levels. Wearable devices such as the Fitbit, Jawbone and Bellabeat LEAF are helping users to monitor their health on a daily basis, providing heart rate, temperature, sleep pattern data. This helps users take greater control of their health, helping them to understand their body and improve upon their fitness levels and general health.
- It’s reducing smoking related deaths. Six million people die every year because of tobacco. However, electronic e-cigarettes such as the Aspire Nautilus from Aspire Ecig UK are proving a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. What’s more, 29% of those who try e-cigarettes quit smoking within six months.
- It can help monitor glucose levels. The FreeStyle Libre System is provides those with diabetes with a new way of monitoring their glucose levels. There are over 3.9 million people in the UK living with diabetes and a device such as this could improve the lives of those living with the disease and reduce the risk of death.