Putting tech to work for your health

Eat right, manage weight Today’s foodie apps take the guesswork out of cooking for your family or eating out on the town. You can check calories, plan a week’s worth of meals, or find healthy restaurants in your area. To monitor your progress, get a high-tech bathroom scale. It can evaluate body fat, check your […]

Eat right, manage weight
Today’s foodie apps take the guesswork out of cooking for your family or eating out on the town. You can check calories, plan a week’s worth of meals, or find healthy restaurants in your area.
To monitor your progress, get a high-tech bathroom scale. It can evaluate body fat, check your heart rate, and even link up with your phone.
Get Moving
Wearable fitness trackers monitor everything from calories burned to heart rate to signs you’ve been still too long. Sync yours with a phone or tablet to keep up with the info — and to set and meet health goals. Need some friendly competition? Look for a fitness app that lets you join groups and compete against other users.
Catch better ZZZs
A restful night’s sleep is a click away. If your phone sits on your nightstand at bedtime, use it to cue up an app that will lull you to dreamland with low-frequency sounds. At some point, you’ll need to rise and shine. Many apps aim to wake you up during your lightest sleep phase — the best time to get up.
Quit bad habits
Need help to ditch a bad habit? Stop smoking with an app that helps you set realistic goals and stick to them. When you crave a smoke, use your fingers to tap the app instead of lighting up. Or sign up for daily text messages to start on the day you quit. A breathalyzer app syncs with your phone to help you know when you’ve had too much to drink.
Track your numbers
Check your blood pressure with a smart monitor that links to your phone or fits on your arm. You track your numbers on your mobile device. With blood sugar tracking apps and web sites — just plug your numbers in after you check your levels. Allergies or asthma? Check the pollen count or air quality before you leave the house.
Get organised
Let an app help you organise your day. There are ones to break down tasks into manageable chunks, send you daily to-do list, or monitor how much time you spend on social media. Another app uses a process known as mind-mapping to turn your ideas into a workable, visual plan. Try one out and see if you can finally write that novel.
See the doctor
Doctors’ offices are going high-tech. Many have offered online appointment setting and prescription refills for years, but now some doctors will email you, too. Concerned about a mole on your arm? Re-create the look of it with an app, monitor changes, and find out when to get it checked.
Chart your health history
Want another reason to create a family tree? Your family’s past can hold the key to your health future. Most apps that trace your background offer access to huge databases of historical info, from photos to death certificates to census reports to newspaper clippings. Or you can go to the US. Surgeon general’s web site, which offers a programme to help you trace your family’s roots — and health.
Get ready for baby
Trying to get pregnant? There’s an app to track your ovulation cycles.
Already expecting? Track your bundle of joy’s movements, see the baby’s size at any time, record your baby’s heartbeat, and even get a checklist for what to pack on delivery day.
Prepare for an emergency
Apps are available to record your medical and contact information in the event of an emergency — having this info on hand could save crucial time when you get to the ER. You can also find out how to give first aid or CPR, or learn ways to prepare for — or respond to — a manmade or weather disaster.
Source: WebMD.com