Healthcare news stories can be found all over the Internet. In fact, all major news entities have sections on their websites dedicated to health. More and more frequently, these stories are about how conditions can be altered and avoided through technological advances in science.
There's an App for That
Smartphones are becoming a great tool for self monitoring. Despite still being in their infancy, there are several tools that are already in use:
- UK researchers developed an app that can detect cataracts as well as check the retina for signs of disease.
- A US team determined how to provide clinical diagnosis of skin cancer, within 24 hours, using a smartphone.
- A device can be purchased for those that have diabetes or a chronic kidney condition that sends live information to a doctor via their Android or iPhone.
- Qloudlab has developed an app that allows users to perform their own blood tests.
Before you know it, all your vital signs will be taken and transmitted by smartphones. According to Medical News Today, that has already happened.
Breast and Uterine Cancer Linked
Woman who carry the BRCA1 gene have been contracting aggressive uterine cancer years after having their ovaries removed. The prevailing thought has been that breast and ovarian cancers are linked, but now the question has expanded to include the uterus. There is not enough proof of this yet, but some doctors are suggesting that patients undergo a preventative hysterectomy when the ovaries are removed.
Recently, movie star Angelina Jolie had a preventative double mastectomy and has reported that she will be having further surgery performed to try to stop the possibility of cancer within her system. Her mother and grandmother both had ovarian cancer.
Obesity Linked to Cancer?
The Society of Gynecological Oncology recently reported that the risk of developing endometrial cancer in a person who has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 could be eight times greater than someone with a BMI of 25. The study also shows that those that had the surgery had a 71 percent reduced risk of developing uterine cancer. Patients that maintained a lower BMI after surgery increased this number to 81 percent.
Cochlear Implants
These devices are slowly replacing the common hearing aid. Hearing aids are still used; they are cheaper and they can get the job done. But, what happens when the hearing enhancement is not enough? That is where the implants come in. Cochlear implants are now waterproof — and they are smartphone and Bluetooth compatible. Dual processors are getting introduced into the newer models, allowing for crisper, clearer sound amplification.
Epilepsy Brain Transplants
Can these new implants completely stop the seizures of an epilepsy patient? The answer is yes and no. Seizures still occur, but the processor implanted on the brain stops the signals from the brain to the body. According to the New York Times they do happen, but the body does not react to them. Those who have chronic seizures may still need to take medication to help with the jitters, but the seizures will no longer control their lives.
Healthcare news appears on the Internet every day. Med techs should try to stay up-to-date on this information. Many of these devices will change how a medical professional diagnoses and treats patients in the future.