Lack of exercise, stressed life and other unhealthy habits is the major caused for common diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure. So increase in medical awareness has increased the demand for health care equipments at home. Use of medical equipment has become much easier to use with proper instructions being followed. Some essential ones to be displayed at home:
Thermometer
Thermometer measures the temperature of the body. Normal body temperature ranges to 37 degrees Celsius (°C) or 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Use of thermometer helps to manage the illness. Rise in temperature indicates infection. Thus, use thermometer with proper instructions and guidelines being followed to check out accurate results. Digital thermometer is available these days due to its accurate readings, fast results and easy to use. Digital ones can be used in 3 ways: oral, rectal and axillary.
Digital Glucometer
Digital Glucometer measures concentration of glucose in the blood. It checks glucose levels in test-strip blood samples accessed from skin prick usually fingertip. Diabetic patients find it useful as they could monitor sugar levels in the blood and manage their existing condition. This eases doctor to prescribe required medications and change the prescription according to the necessity.
Digital BP Monitor
BP Monitor encompasses an inflatable cuff and manometer to checks the blood pressure. Technology has advanced from use of stethoscope to cuff to automated machines that examines both systolic and diastolic blood pressure accurately. These days it has become common to monitor the blood pressure at home. This is a must to treat or manage certain condition.
Nebulizers
Nebulizers machine convert liquid asthma medicine to fine mist which comes through a tube attached to facemask or mouthpiece, making easier to inhale into lungs. Usually, it requires 5 to 10 minutes to get medicine to the lungs. Basically, nebulizers are used for treating asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis and other respiratory problems. This device effectively delivers asthma medications to infants and small children or anyone with asthma.
Weighing Scales
Weighting scales calculates body weight and also guides to weight loss programs. It is regarded as a crucial tool to maintain one’s wellbeing. With the availability of analog and digital weighing scales, it is better to select knowing the differences and according to one’s preference. These days weighing scales are added with features to find BMI and body fat percentage which helps to notice the current condition of the body.
Oximeter
Pulse oximeter calculates oxygen level in the blood. This is a painless procedure to be familiar with transport of oxygen to parts of the body from heart to arms and legs. The device comprises of unit and probes or sensors (a clip like device). Probe is placed on finger or ear lobe and with the use of light, it measures the oxygen present in the blood. This makes the health care provider let know the need of extra oxygen.
Pregnancy test kit
With the advancement of technology, today it has become easier to test even pregnancy at home using test kits available at drug store. Pregnancy test kit measures human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. Still pregnancy test is best performed by a laboratory as they uses sample of blood. These test detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and amount of hormone that doubles every 2 to 3 days during first several weeks of pregnancy. The privacy, convenience and quick results that home test kits offer makes women prefer it. These tests are not considered to be accurate as the blood tests performed by the doctor.
References:
https://www.who.int/medical_devices/innovation/hospt_equip_21.pdf
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/pulmonary/pulse_oximetry_92,p07754
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermometer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebulizer
https://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/home-nebulizer-therapy#1
https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/nebulizer-inhaler.html
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/home_pregnancy_test/article_em.htm#during_the_home_pregnancy_test_procedure