Every individual does their best to live a healthy life in their little way. Whether it be eating right, or maintaining proper hygiene. There is a constant struggle to balance that process but there seem to be a lot of things that hinder it. Some of these include pollution, economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, and societal or neighborhood environment.
All these pose a threat to an individual's healthy lifestyle, especially that of the social environment, although it is not the only aspect to look out for. Nevertheless, because it is usually overlooked, we must take note of it, as it is likely to negatively affect a person's health by leading to obesity, food poisoning, mental health issues and even higher risk of diseases.
However, the technology methods and apps encourage healthier behavior in individuals and help health care personnel with the proactive management of a healthy lifestyle in people. Technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence (AI), have given rise to easy detection and diagnosis, quick decision making and treatment.
Notwithstanding, the social environment has more influence on people than other factors, the reason being that it has to do with the way of life and relationship of an individual. That is, the environment such a person lives in, the person's occupation and income status, the level of education one has or perhaps the resources such a person has to access.
That is why people on the lower part of the social ladder are twice as likely to acquire a health condition. Also, a poor social environment can make an individual feel anxious, confused and stressed.
What process does technology enhance a healthy lifestyle?
The 21st century has created various solutions for the health industry whereby several technologies have been developed to assist the enhancement of the health of an individual. There is no doubt that the impact of technological advancement from cloud computing to artificial intelligence on our lives, in this century is rapidly becoming inevitable.
Is it the internet that has become so vast?
Or the evolving technologies like the Internet of Things(IoT)?
Or even our phones, which we use to pass information to one another, and get in touch with our friends and family far and wide?
The impact of technology is too numerous to count that people also use it to manage their health, otherwise known as eHealth, which is the use of information and communication technology(ICT) to benefit the healthcare and wellbeing of people.
Hence, what type of technology can we use to improve our healthy lifestyle and healthcare in general?
1. Apps
Apps are developed for a vast number of services like enjoyment (games), getting in touch with people (social media), and also assistance in making things easier and faster. There is no disagreement with the fact that apps have their importance in the healthcare industry which has been made possible by developers.
The involvement of some technology like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), makes it complex for developers. Nevertheless, the use of these six phases; strategize, plan, analyze and design, app development, test and deploy, help them in mobile app development.
Individuals have used an app for their mental, physical or emotional health at least once. Some apps have been developed to help you to know in detail what your healthcare expert is talking about. This helps to tackle the problem that comes with engagement between the doctor and the patient, setting reminders and many more.
2. Wearable Devices
These are devices that you can wear on your wrist or body or even attach to a piece of clothing.
These wearable devices belong to different categories, such as fitness, sport, health, and entertainment. Concerning the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things(IoT), developers involved in software development, have implemented the current account of wearable devices in health care to function as an integrated electronic health record system.
Instances of some refined wearable technology include a holographic computer in the form of virtual reality (VR) headset, artificial intelligence (AI) hearing aids, Google Glass and Microsoft's HoloLens, to track your health progress or physical activity. In most cases, they are paired with your mobile phone or a website to track and reserve the real-time data collected.
You might have seen people wearing devices like smartwatches. Well, they are technologies that are linked to apps for monitoring your health in terms of sleep, and heart rate while worn. The data collected for the day, week or month gives you insight into your health track, feedback, along with tips for becoming healthier, which can be shared with a health care provider.
3. Air Purifiers
Air purifiers are technology products that can disinfect the air by removing allergens, toxins, viruses, bacteria and pollutants. They are different from essential oil diffusers and humidifiers, which on the other hand, add particles to indoor air.
Also, an air purifier will not likely remove or neutralize all particles in your home or environment, unlike a filter. This is because many particles can stay on soft surfaces, such as furniture, bedding, and floor, as well as hard surfaces, such as your walls but it is possible to sanitize the pollutants.
Thus, the innovation and advancement of technology have brought about the AI-based purification system and the HEPA filter. The application of these technologies into air purifiers would help in filtering the air. Developers have integrated built-in sensors, computing algorithms, and an advanced DC motor that maximizes the temperature of healthy breathable air in your home or environment and can sharply adjust to meet your uniqueness. Also, the AI system in the air purifier can connect to the internet via a Wi-Fi network for providing accurate air quality analysis.
Health personnel have advised doctors' offices, dentist offices, exam rooms, and any area that has a high concentration of contaminants in the air and is frequented by people to have air purifiers. According to research, this action is said to decrease the spread of illnesses and reduce airborne and surface pollutants, germs and contaminants.
Nevertheless, research shows that air purifiers work best with a filter by sanitizing and filtering the air. In other words, an air purifier works with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and an Ultraviolet Light (UVC) whose function is to filter the air by trapping airborne pollutants, removing harmful particles and smoke in the area and also reducing the humidity level indoors.
In Conclusion
The process of enhancing a healthy lifestyle has been made easy through technology. The health industry just as other industries have benefitted massively from the use of technology which on its end keeps evolving and getting better.
In other words, just as big data and IoT have been equipping the healthcare industry, AI and robotics have also been giving numerous potentials more efficiently than humans.
The health industry does not doubt its new methods of working, even the technologies designed to keep us healthy, as every area of our lives has been impacted. It is important that we individuals have the right attitude to living a healthy lifestyle as that would make the effect and usage of technology easier and faster.
