An App A Day…may help you live another day
Your smartphone helps you manage finances, appointments and social life, but it can also serve an even loftier purpose: as a doctor in your pocket or nurse practitioner in your purse.
The technologically savvy are managing their health through their smartphones. And you can, too. You don’t have to be a computer whiz to have a medical whiz at your fingertips 24/7. A bevy of potentially life-saving applications has been developed, and many are free.
We’ve found some apps — most are free and compatible with both iPhone and Android-based smartphones — you may want to download. Using one or more just may save your life, or the life of another.
Note: This article does not constitute an endorsement of any app. And keep in mind that no application can take the place of face-to-face examination by qualified medical personnel. Never self-diagnose.
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First Aid by American Red Cross
The official American Red Cross First Aid app gives you instant access to information on how to handle the most common first aid emergencies. Asthma attacks, choking, burns, diabetic incidents, bleeding and allergies are just a few of the topics covered. The American Red Cross also offers apps for severe weather and natural disasters.[/column] [/row]
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Headache Diary
Help your doctor help you with Headache Diary, an app that lets you track recurring headaches. This smartphone diary allows you to note time, location and duration of headaches, as well as foods you ate before the headache.[/column]
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SnoreOMeter
Your mate’s snoring reminds you of a sawmill on a busy day. And you’re afraid his/her snoring indicates obstructive sleep apnea, which, if left untreated, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes. SnoreOMeter records snores for up to 30 seconds, including any lapses in breathing, and even rates the decibel level.[/column] [/row]
GoToAID First Aid
GoToAid not only provides first aid information and instructions on what to do during a medical emergency, this app also tells you what to do when pets are hurt or in distress.[/column] [column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Microdemex
For iPhone users, Microdemex allows you to search specific drugs to determine how they should be taken and possible side effects.[/column] [/row] [row] [column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
MyChart (iOS/Android)
The MyChart app keeps your medical records at your fingertips. You can even order prescriptions and make doctor appointments.[/column] [column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Diabetic Connect (iOS/Android)
This app connects diabetics so they can chat, share information, learn together and provide support.[/column] [/row] [row] [column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ]
Allergy FT
Allergy suffers rejoice. The Allergy FT app helps world travelers avoid getting sick by eating things they shouldn’t. Just type in your food allergies, click the translate button and show the screen to your waiter.[/column] [column lg=”6″ md=”12″ sm=”12″ xs=”12″ ] [/column] [/row]
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Sickweather
You know the flu bug is lurking around the corner somewhere, just waiting to ruin you work week, weekend dinner date or vacation. If only you knew where. Now, perhaps you can. The Sickweather app scours social media for posts with key words like “flu” and “sick” and tells you where a high preponderance of people are sniffling, coughing and sneezing.[/column] [/row]
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Circle of 6
Anyone who’s experienced the dread of walking through a dark alley or empty parking lot at night will appreciate the Circle of 6 app, especially those who don’t carry a weapon or forget their pepper spray. Circle of 6 developers claim their app is a tool to prevent robbery, domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes.
Circle of 6 notifies six chosen friends if you need a ride to get out of unpleasant situations and advice if confronted with issues resulting in violent actions. It also dials a preset hot line for emergencies by simply clicking one icon.
Circle of 6 app won the White House’s Apps Against Abuse Technology Challenge in 2011 and Avon Foundation’s Ending Violence @ Home App Challenge in 2012.[/column]
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Watch Over Me
The Watch Over Me app tracks your location every minute as you travel and sends out emergency alerts (with a video screen capture and your exact location) to your loved ones if you don’t reach your destination on time. And if you can’t dial when you’re in danger, just shake your smartphone and Watch Over Me will send an emergency alert. One user scared away a would-be attacker by showing him her phone had just captured him on video and the police had been alerted.[/column] [/row]
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bSafe Personal Safety App
bSafe allows you to select unlimited number of friends (“Guardians”) to contact in emergencies, video and voice functions to record the incident, a location tracker, a warning siren, a locator to find other users to walk with and an alarm if you fail to check in with the app on time.[/column]
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PulsePoint Respond
Trained to save a life, but never get the opportunity to be a hero? PulsePoint is for you. This app points the 57 percent of Americans with CPR training certification in the right direction when someone nearby is having a cardiac emergency. The app also pinpoints the nearest defibrillator. PulsePoint is intended to help Good Samaritans keep people alive until EMTs or other medical personnel arrive. With cardiac events, timing is everything. The cardiac patient’s chances of survival decreases 10 percent each minute.
About the Author: Gary Corsair
