Health and Wellness

We review the top wearable gadgets to improve your health

Updated: 04:42 EDT, 6 September 2022
Wearable health technology has exploded in popularity. From digital insoles that track your steps to bracelets that chart your fertility to digital insoles that correct your walking, to bracelets that track your fertility, it is a lucrative industry. Professor Ian Swaine, a University of Greenwich sport and exercise scientist, says that fitness trackers can help motivate people to exercise and keep them more informed about their health. The novelty of the technology is often lost and, while there have been significant advancements in the last couple decades, it involves sensors that aren’t always reliable, as well as computer estimations and algorithms that crunch numbers into results. Research has shown that this can lead to inaccuracies. Dr Nisa Aslam, London-based GP, says that while some of this technology can monitor conditions like diabetes, initial health assessments and yearly checks-ups still need be done in person by a physician. We then rated the gadgets. Fitbit Charge 5,?129.99 on fitbit.comClaim. This Fitbit is the’most advanced’. It monitors activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns, and checks for irregular heart rhythms with an ECG. It also measures stress with an electrodermal activ (EDA) sensor. Expert verdict: This reflects the trend towards home health management, which is partly due to difficulties in seeing GPs face-to-face. A wrist monitor shouldn’t be used to replace a doctor for heart health. Wrist sensors aren’t able to measure irregular heart rhythms accurately. It claims to be able to detect stress levels by using an EDA sensor, which measures skin sweating. But we sweat for many reasons. The’readiness score’ may help you be more aware of when you need to rest, but there isn’t much science behind it. FreeStyle Libre 2, ?96.58, freestylelibre.co.ukClaim: This stick-on sensor connects to an app and can be used to ‘check your glucose any time, anywhere, with just a scan of your smartphone’. Expert verdict: This device is clinically accurate and a game-changer in type 1 and 2 diabetes. It is also available on the NHS. The discreet, small sensor monitors glucose levels in the interstitial Fluid, which is the clear fluid under the skin. It can be worn for 14 days and will eliminate the pain and hassle of finger-prick glucose monitoring. The readings indicate whether glucose trends up or down. Alarms alert patients if their glucose levels are too low or high. It saves time and provides peace of mind. Ava Fertility Monitor,?249, www.avawomen.com Claim : This bracelet tracks women’s monthly cycles by monitoring nine biomarkers, including skin temperature and breathing, heart rate, blood flow, and heart rate. It can be worn overnight and tells you every morning if it is a good day for a baby. It can detect an average of five fertile days per cycle and an 89% accuracy, according to the maker. Expert verdict: ‘Studies show that temperature and heart rate changes during a woman’s monthly cycle, increasing around days of ovulation when an egg is released. A woman is at her most fertile’, says Dr Aslam. These factors can be used to determine when ovulation occurs. Although there is a lot of solid research behind this bracelet, it is quite expensive. I recommend patients keep a journal using inexpensive, chemist-bought fertility tests. This is sufficient for most. ‘WHOOP.comClaim 4.0,?264. Claim: This device can be worn on the wrist or in pockets inside a sports bra or pyjamas to monitor heart rate and respiratory rate while sleeping. However, to assess overall sleep quality, a polysomnogram is required. This involves electrodes measuring brain waves, muscle movements and heart rate. This type of tracker can make people obsessed with their sleep hours. It is better to measure how you feel doing everyday activities. Amazfit PowerBuds Pro, £59, Amazon.co.uk Claim – These wireless earbuds measure your heart rate while you exercise and can help you estimate how hard you have worked. Professor Swaine says that this is a good test. This is useful for aerobic exercise like running or cycling. However, it is not as useful for resistance exercises such as weight lifting or Pilates, which can be very strenuous. Ear monitors measure heart beat through changes in the reflected light that passes through the skin of the ear. Chest monitors, however, are closer to the heart and more accurate. The ‘posture reminder’ theory states that sitting more makes you less active. However, research has shown that exercise can have health benefits. The jury is still out on whether this is true. ‘Viatom Sleep Pulse Oximeter, ?134.99, stressnomore.co.ukClaim: A wrist monitor that measures blood oxygen levels to help ‘Covid patients spot deterioration’. The maker claims that it also functions as a sleep-apnoea monitor. The wristband and finger sensor monitor oxygen levels and vibrate if they fall to a predetermined low level. It could be useful for people with sleep apnoea or Covid-19, COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease), and alerts them to seek medical attention. A pulse oximeter that you attach to your finger costs about?10 and is much more affordable. ‘Mifo Walkabout Watch 2?69.99, www.mifo.co.ukClaim : ‘A waterproof smartwatch that measures heart rate and blood oxygen levels. It can’t measure water levels in cells and it can’t predict how much exercise you’ve done. Most people know that water is essential for exercise. Feelings of thirst should be used to determine how much water you drink. It also claims to measure stress via ‘heart rate variability. These fluctuations can be difficult to measure and interpret. It is a reasonable-priced general fitness tracker. ‘Digitsole, ?89.99, decathlon.co.ukClaim: Digital insoles that promise to measure ‘ten aspects of your walking or running technique’, says the maker, ‘to improve your stride technique and efficiency’.Expert verdict: ‘These contain embedded sensors which measure changes in pressure as you walk or run,’ says Tim Veysey-Smith, a sports podiatrist at Active Podiatry in Goudhurst, Kent. This helps to measure stride length and foot strike patterns, as well as velocity of pronation (rolling in and outside of the foot) and supination (rolling in and out). It can be difficult to know what to do with the data. It is important to consult a qualified expert to properly interpret the data.
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Health and Wellness

Kroger participates in Food-Related Crisis Conference

Kroger announced its participation last week in the National Convening To Inform the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health at Washington D.C.’s Bipartisan Policy Center. The event was designed to bring together critical viewpoints to help find and consider solutions to many of the U.S.’s chronic problems, including those related to hunger, nutrition, and diet. Zero Waste commitment to help create communities free of hunger and waste as well as our Food As Medicine platform that helps people lives healthier lives. We are grateful to the Task Force on Hunger, Nutrition and Health and the Bipartisan Policy Centre for inviting us to join this important conversation. Zero Waste” impact plan, with which Keith Dailey, Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer, notes that the company hopes to direct over three billion meals to feed hungry American families by 2025.The event brought together scientists, nonprofits, community organizations, industry representatives, and congressional leaders to discuss strategies to end hunger, improve nutrition, and reduce diet-related chronic disease in the U.S. by 2030. These topics will be discussed at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September.

Health and Wellness

WHO confirms Marburg Disease: Signs to be aware

WHO confirms Marburg Disease outbreak: Signs you should knowHealth News WHO recently declared Marburg disease an epidemic following its infected many people in central Africa. Here are the facts. What is Marburg disease? Find out more here. The World Health Organisation has recently declared Marburg disease an epidemic. Nine people died in Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa’s first ever outbreak of Marburg disease.

After testing samples from Equatorial Guinea, the global health authority confirmed that the disease was an epidemic. Nearly 200 people were asked to quarantine in order to stop the spread of the disease. There have been previous outbreaks in other parts of Africa such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea, South Africa and Uganda. However, this is the first Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea. The disease is highly contagious, so it is important to learn all you can about it. Marburg disease is a bat-borne disease that can spread to people through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and objects.

According to WHO, Marburg disease is similar in appearance to Ebola virus. It is a highly contagious disease with a fatality rate of up to 88 per cent. According to the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Marburg is a rare hemorhagic fever that can cause organ damage and bleeding. It is a zoonotic viral that, along six Ebola viruses, forms the filovirus family. It was first identified in 1967. Symptoms of Marburg disease include fever, diarrhoea and tiredness. The incubation period for the disease is between 2-21 days. Symptoms include:Fever, headaches, myalgia, and nausea. Serious symptoms of Marburg disease. If the disease progresses, it can cause severe symptoms such as:Rash on check, back or stomach Nausea Vomiting Chest pain Sore throat Abdominal pain Diarrhoea. Health authorities may use intravenous fluids or oral rehydration to treat the symptoms of the Marburg virus.

Health and Wellness

Study shows that excessive alcohol intake can increase Covid-19 risk Here are some ways to protect yourself

Study finds that excessive alcohol intake can increase Covid-19 risk How to protect yourself health News Everyone is aware of the side effects that alcohol can have on your health. Did you know that alcohol can make you more susceptible to Covid-19? Drinking too much alcohol can increase your Covid-19 risk. However, alcohol can be dangerous for your health. Although drinking to a reasonable level may not cause harm, excessive amounts of alcohol can have a devastating effect on your health. It can cause problems in your body that you don’t even know about. A new study has shown that excessive alcohol can make you more susceptible to Covid-19.

The side effects of drinking excessive alcohol can make you more susceptible to developing coronavirus disease. This was revealed in a study published in the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experiment Research. The German study found that excessive drinking can raise levels of the ACE2 enzyme, which is used by coronavirus to enter cells. This increases the chance of contracting the virus through direct exposure. The researchers found that chronic alcohol consumption increases the levels of ACE2 within the lungs of the rats in the study. It was possible that SARS-CoV-2 could infect the lungs. It was possible that SARS-CoV-2 could infect the lungs. Here are some ways to avoid alcohol. You should set a goal. This will help you decide how much alcohol you will drink. It should be within the guidelines.

Limit your alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. Keep track of your alcohol intake. Once you have decided how much alcohol you will be drinking, it’s a good idea to keep track of how many drinks you consume each day. Apps can be used to track your alcohol intake. This will help you reduce the risk of Covid-19. Ask for help from family members. It can be difficult, so it is worth sharing the process with family members. You need to have a plan in place for cravings. Make a plan. You need to remind yourself of the dangers of alcohol. Find a hobby, talk with loved ones, or exercise. Find the right distraction for you and make it work. Exercise is a great alternative for alcohol.

Many people turn to alcohol to relieve anxiety. However, exercise can also help. Studies also show that exercising can help with anxiety and stress. Avoid alcohol triggers It could be watching the match. What about getting together with your alcoholic friends? Is it loneliness? If you’re with friends who drink alcohol, try saying “No”. If you are feeling lonely, talk to someone. If you are struggling with alcohol cravings, talk to someone about it. If not quit, at least reduce its intake.

Health and Wellness

Consuming ultra-processed foods can increase your chance of developing cancer.

Home Health News Consuming ultra-processed food can increase your chance of developing cancer. These foods can increase your chances of developing cancer or other diseases. Consuming ultra-processed foods can increase your chance of developing cancer. Ultra-processed food has always had a bad reputation in the world of nutrition. There are endless studies that show the negative effects of eating highly processed foods. Ultra-processed foods include packaged goods such as bread and ready-to-eat cereals. These foods are high in salt, fat and sugar and can cause health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

A new study also suggests that high-processed foods could increase your risk of developing cancer. People tend to eat more ultra-processed food because they are cheap and come in attractive packaging. Ultra-processed foods include bread, biscuits and breakfast cereals, as well as instant soups, carbonated drinks, instant yogurts, fruit-flavored yogurts and ham. The harmful effects of ultra-processed food are well-known.

The World Health Organisation and United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation have restricted the consumption of ultra processed food. They contain harmful ingredients like added sugar, salt, or saturated fats. They also lack dietary fiber and vitamins that are essential for overall health. Several studies have shown that eating foods high in sugar can lead you to obesity, metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, and other conditions. Ultra-processed carbs can cause a rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. A study published in British Medical Journal found that 10 percent more ultra-processed foods could increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disorders, and coronary artery disease. Another study in the same journal found that eating too many processed foods can increase your risk of developing obesity and even cause death.

Unprocessed foods can be replaced with healthier alternatives to reduce your risk of developing unwanted illnesses. It may seem difficult at first but regular consumption of healthy foods can help you stick to healthy eating habits. Keep healthy snacks close by so you don’t feel deprived between meals. Whole grains are rich in fiber which can help reduce your cancer risk. Keep hydrated. We often underestimate the importance of drinking water. Drink at least 10-12 glasses of fluids every day. To increase your nutrient intake, eat more fruits and vegetables. Oatmeal can be substituted for breakfast cereal. Replace processed foods with healthy foods like nuts, salads, and other healthy options. You now know how dangerous processed foods can be. It is time to stop eating unhealthy foods and start eating healthier.

Health and Wellness

Smartphone use can cause vision impairment in women: Are you being cautious?

Home Health News Smartphone use can cause blindness in a woman aged 30 years old. This was recently discovered in Hyderabad. Here are some ways to protect your eyes from vision impairment caused by smartphone use. Smartphone use has led to vision impairment in a woman. How much time do your smartphones consume? Smartphones have become an integral part of people’s daily lives over the past decade. It plays an important role in every day life, from taking photos to managing work. They are very useful, but how much time do you spend on your phone? Worse, you can spend 9-10 hours on your laptop and then look at your phone. Smartphones have many harmful effects.

Smartphones have many negative effects. One example is the Hyderabad woman who was blinded by her smartphone. Manju, a 30-year old woman, was diagnosed with smartphone vision syndrome (SVS) following her use of her phone in the dark for nearly 1.5 years. Dr. Sudhir Kumar shared the tweets. Dr. Sudhir Kumar listed several symptoms, including bright flashes, zigzag patterns and trouble focusing on or seeing certain objects. After further analysis of her past, it was discovered that the disease was caused by her long-term use smartphones. She was not prescribed any medication to relieve her symptoms. Instead, she was advised that she reduce the amount of time she spends on her phone to deal with the condition. Vision impairment can be caused by smartphone use.

After following the advice for a month, she noticed a significant improvement in her condition. “Manju was absolutely fine after a one-month review. Her 18-month vision impairment had disappeared. She now had normal vision and didn’t experience any flashes or floaters of light. Dr. Kumar explained that her night vision loss had also stopped. Numerous studies support this claim. The Annals of Palliative Medicine published a study that found smartphone users are at greater risk of developing near and distant vision loss, ocular surface discomfort, and distance vision loss. Numerous studies, including one published in Journal of Medical Internet Research, have shown that smartphones can cause vision problems in children.

Smartphone use may increase the risk of vision problems in children, such as myopia, asthenopia and ocular surface diseases. Dr. Kumar shared some tips to help people who use smartphones less frequently to avoid severe vision-related symptoms. When using digital screens, follow the 20-20-20 rule. To avoid vision problems, you should take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20ft away. To reduce visual and ocular problems, you should set a time limit, especially for children.