25 May,2014 01:15 PM IST | | Harpreet Kaur Sapra
Technology doesn't mean just smart phones and tablets, it gives birth to monitoring devices, too. Read on to find out what's in store for you
Technology doesn't end with buying the latest cellphone or tablet. Now, you can also buy healthcare devices that help you prevent health scares and stay fit - be it keeping your blood sugar levels in control, driving mosquitoes away or checking your posture.
OneTouch Ultra 2 Gluco Monitor: (Rs 2,390)
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing lifestyle diseases in the world. It is of utmost importance for a diabetic to measure their blood sugar levels and study the effect of different food groups and daily habits on it. OneTouch Ultra 2 Gluco follows the usual easy-to-use method of inserting the test strip, applying a blood sample on it and getting results in five seconds. What is different is that the meter has an in-built memory of 500 tests, which, in turn, can maintain hierarchical records of your sugar levels over a period of time. It lets us flag and identify a specific blood glucose result as coming from a before-meal or after-meal test. You can even tag specific results with preset comments that can provide insight, such as what may have caused an after-meal blood glucose result to be too high. The OneTouch can be connected to your PC/laptop over a cable to download all the data in its custom App. This lets you transfer the data to your doctor if he is using the same app.
iHealth Blood Pressure Monitor- BP7: (Rs 7190)
BP7 is a wireless cuff that has to be strapped around your wrist. A motion sensor automatically switches it on once you wear it, and turns off when you put it back in its case. One has to switch on a button for Bluetooth pairing and to begin measuring. BP7 uses oscillometric principle to measure the systolic, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate. It pairs over the Bluetooth to your iPhone or iPad and downloads all the data via its free App iHealth MYVitals. With this App, you can compare your daily results with historical averages and World Health Organisation (WHO) classifications. You can even opt to email the data to your doctor.
VISIQ by Philips: (Rs 10,50,000)
The VISIQ is not for home use, but we were impressed with the way India is growing in technology. VISIQ, is made in India in Bangalore by Philips. Ultrasounds have become an integral part of safe pregnancies and pre- birth diagnosis of certain disorders in the unborn foetus. The urban population is blessed with this facility at every hospital and pathology labs, but expectant mothers in remote areas depend on half-baked knowledge of mid-wives and village doctors. VISIQ is a portable ultrasound machine that can take this facility to the homes of expectant mothers even in the remotest of areas. At the heart of the VISIQ system is a smart transducer. It comes with single probe solution, 2D B&W pulse Doppler and colour Doppler. It wakes from sleep mode to scan mode in a matter of seconds and can scan for 2.5 hours on a single charge. The touchscreen gesture control is as simple to use as a smart phone. When connected to a tablet, it gives you ultrasound images as any full-size machine.
Warning: This machine is not to be used at home or without medical supervision under any circumstances.
LG Mosquito Away: (Rs 20,000 to Rs 75,000)
Mosquitoes are carriers of germs and infections. Traditional âkachua chaap' or the repellents are a no-no for asthmatic patients. With its mosquito away range of Air Conditioners, LG provides a solution to get rid of the pesky creatures while cooling the room. By pressing the Mosquito Away button, the AC emits ultrasonic waves, which disrupts the mosquitoes' sensory cells, driving them away. The sound emitted is at a frequency of over 30kHz and is completely harmless to humans. The AC has a micro protection system, an advanced double filtration system that generates strong electrostatic power that captures microscopic substances in the air.
LumoBack Posture Sensor: (Rs 9,000)
Most of the back-related problems are due to bad posture, and with our sedentary lifestyle, it is becoming more and more important to maintain a good posture. Our mothers always reminded us to sit straight, to stop slouching and to walk straight with the head held high. LumoBack Posture Sensor does exactly that. It is a wireless sensor that is worn with a Velcro strap, which is in turn buckled to your waist, under or over the clothes. The LumoBack senses your posture and gently vibrates when you slouch. The vibrations act as a reminder to stand up or sit straight, preventing back pains. It also monitors your daily activities like such as the number of steps taken, time spent sitting, calories burnt and even your sleep habits. The LumoBack then transfers the day's records onto your phone via its App and and provides a postural score. Over a period of time, it helps change the way you sit and move, leading to a healthier back.
