The advancement of digital technology has made it easier for people to manage their health. The availability of accessible health apps not only facilitates access to healthcare services such as consultations and medication purchases but also helps monitor overall health status.
What Can Health Apps Do Today?
If you browse through modern smartphones, you'll find a variety of health apps designed to simplify healthcare management. These include calorie-tracking apps, body mass index (BMI) calculators, ovulation and fertility trackers, medication reminders, lifestyle monitoring apps, and even tools for tracking medication side effects.
These apps provide more than just healthcare services, such as consulting a doctor or purchasing medication—they also help individuals actively manage their well-being.
Broadly speaking, the functions of health apps today can be categorized as follows:
General Health and Fitness Tracking
Everyone strives to live a long and healthy life. To maintain physical fitness and overall well-being, it is essential to engage in regular physical activity and follow a balanced diet. If this is your goal, you may find the following apps useful:
- Calorie tracking apps for monitoring daily intake
- Sleep cycle tracking for better rest
- Exercise trackers that calculate calories burned
- Workout planning apps for structured fitness routines
- Fertility and ovulation calculators
- Body Mass Index (BMI) calculators
Many of these apps can also sync with smartwatches to provide more accurate fitness data.
For those interested in mindfulness and mental well-being, there are also apps for guided breathing exercises and meditation, catering to beginners and experienced practitioners alike.
Chronic Disease and Condition Management
If you have a chronic illness, it is essential to take your medication regularly. You can use the medication reminder feature on your smartphone or a specialized app to help organize your medication schedule.
Modern health apps can also be used to monitor specific chronic conditions. For example, if you have hemophilia, you can use an app to track and record bleeding episodes.
For those with diabetes, these apps can help track food intake and monitor blood sugar levels regularly. Some apps even allow doctors to access your blood sugar records, making it easier to conduct immediate health assessments.
Telemedicine Apps
Telemedicine apps are among the most widely used healthcare applications. They allow users to consult with doctors about their symptoms or health concerns without the need for an in-person visit.
The availability of telemedicine apps enables patients to access healthcare services without being limited by distance or time constraints. Consultations can be conducted via video calls or chat, anytime and anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection.
In addition to virtual consultations, telemedicine apps often provide additional services, such as medication purchases for both over-the-counter and prescription drugs, as well as medication reminder features to support adherence to prescribed treatments.
Digital Therapeutics (DTx)
According to WebMD, one of the most anticipated advancements in health technology is digital therapeutics (DTx). These applications provide therapeutic interventions designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions.
Digital therapies can be used independently or in combination with medications, medical devices, or other treatments to optimize patient care.
Some of the digital therapy apps available today include those designed to treat substance use addiction, physical therapy apps to help reduce pain, anxiety, and depression, and personalized exercise apps aimed at lowering blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Thanks to technological advancements, individuals can now track their health using smartphone apps and specialized devices. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can visit a doctor in person or utilize telemedicine services, such as those available in the Ai Care application. Download Ai Care from the App Store or Google Play Store to access convenient healthcare services.
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- dr. Pandu Lesmana
Shaw, G. What Can Health Apps Do for You?. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/health-apps-do.
Thomas, L. What Is Telemedicine?. Available from: https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Telemedicine.aspx.
Adatia, C., Dreischmeier, R., Shah., S., Sharma, K. (2023). The health benefits and business potential of digital therapeutics. Available from: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/the-health-benefits-and-business-potential-of-digital-therapeutics.