Are Short Attention Spans Driving Health Tech?
Is high-end health tech truly the best match for average consumers, or are short attention spans demanding a digital future that crops out the fundamentals for a more stylish but less functional frame?
2023 Trend: Fighting Chronic Illness with Digital Healthcare
How much time are Americans truly willing to devote to the health and wellness practices that will help them not only look and feel physically fitter, but also fight disease? Although real-time fitness tracker apps have granted us the initial leverage, they can’t fulfill a comprehensive snapshot of internal health or alert us to a potential chronic illness.
Diagnose Heart Disease With an At-Home Health Test
When it comes to heart health, there are a few important things you should know. First and foremost, heart disease is one of the most common causes of death in both men and women. Therefore, it’s essential to take proactive steps to keep your heart healthy.
Types of Cardiovascular Disease
There are several types of cardiovascular diseases. The most common include:
- coronary artery disease
- congestive heart failure
- arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythms
- stroke
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. This occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. Congestive heart failure occurs when your heart can no longer pump enough blood through your body. Arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythms occur when the electrical signals in your heart become irregular. Finally, a stroke, the most serious stage of cardiovascular disease, can occur when there’s an interruption to the blood flow in the brain due to either a clot or a burst blood vessel. When you experience a stroke, oxygen and nutrients are blocked from reaching brain tissue, often resulting in permanent damage or death.
Heart Disease in the U.S.
In the United States, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease accounted for 647,000 fatalities in 2019. That’s about 25 percent of all deaths in the U.S., making it one of the most pressing risk factors for U.S. adults.
High blood pressure is another major risk factor for heart disease, as well as stroke and other heart-related conditions. One in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure and only half of those people will attempt to control their condition with lifestyle changes or medication.
How to Protect Yourself from Cardiovascular Disease
It’s important to understand the types of cardiovascular diseases and take steps to protect your heart health. Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, managing stress levels, and not smoking are all great ways to reduce your risk of developing any type of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, undergoing regular heart health testing can help you catch signs or symptoms before they become serious. The most convenient way to test your heart health is with an at-home health test. Haled’s Heart & Diabetes Focused Health Test measures eight key indicators of cardiovascular health including HbA1c, High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL), hs-CRP, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Potassium, Sodium, Total Cholesterol, and Triglycerides.
Lowering Your Risk Factors
If the results of your heart health test show you are at risk for serious cardiovascular complications, it is important to take immediate action to improve your heart health. Initial steps are as simple as practicing healthy habits. Begin by avoiding smoking and excessive drinking, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels through regular health testing.
In addition to lifestyle changes, some medications can also help reduce the risks associated with heart disease. These include aspirin therapy for those at high risk and cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins. Always consult with a physician before beginning a new regimen.
Cardiovascular Disease Symptoms You Should Know
It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of serious heart disease so you can act quickly if they arise. These include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness or lightheadedness. If any of these occur, it’s important to seek emergency medical help right away.
By following these steps and understanding the risks associated with heart health, you can take proactive measures for a healthier heart.
Don’t wait until it’s too late — implementing healthy heart practices is a lifestyle, not a temporary fix. With Haled, you can measure your heart health from the comfort of your home and form a proactive health plan after receiving your private, digital results.
Get started with Haled — and a healthier heart — today!
Sources:
UTI Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
What is a UTI?
A UTI is a Urinary Tract Infection. The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs can occur in any part of this system, but most often they are found in the lower tract (the urethra and bladder).
UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. As the infection spreads, symptoms may develop. UTIs are much more common in women than men because a woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
What Causes a UTI?
UTIs are most often caused by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), that enter the urinary tract through the urethra. UTIs can also be caused by other organisms, such as fungi or viruses, but these are less common.
In most cases, UTIs are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, UTIs can spread to the kidneys and cause more serious health problems.
Common UTI Symptoms
If you think you might have a UTI, it’s important to consider your treatment options. UTIs can cause serious health problems if left untreated. But what are the symptoms of a UTI? And how do you know if it’s serious enough to seek treatment?
There are many different symptoms of UTIs, but some are more common than others. The most common symptom is a burning sensation when you urinate. This is often accompanied by a strong urge to urinate, even when there’s no urine in your bladder. Other UTI symptoms include:
- cloudy or bloody urine
- foul-smelling urine
- pelvic pain (in women)
- low fever (in children)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment right away. UTIs can cause serious health problems if left untreated, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
UTI Treatment Options
UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics. However, if you wait too long to seek treatment and symptoms progress, you may require a hospital stay. That’s why it is so important to receive a diagnose as soon as questionable symptoms strike. If you suspect you have a UTI but have not yet been tested, the first step you can take is to drink plenty of fluids and urinate as often as possible to help flush out the infection. Worst case scenario; you end up more hydrated!
If you think you might have a UTI but are hesitant to see a doctor, consider ordering an at-home UTI test online. Haled’s Comprehensive UTI Test is delivered to your doorstep with easy, step-by-step instructions to calm your nerves and get you on track to clearing your UTI infection – or discovering something else is causing your symptoms.
Haled’s medical-grade UTI test gives you rapid, digital results so you can seek appropriate treatment options and feel better fast. Never wait for UTI symptoms to progress. Get tested with Haled today.
How to Reduce STD Transmission
How to Reduce STD Transmission
An STD is a sexually transmitted disease, also called a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STDs are a type of infection that is spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some STDs can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact.
There are many different types of STDs, and some are more common than others. The most common STD is chlamydia. Chlamydia is a bacterial STD that can cause serious health problems if it is not treated. Other common STDs include gonorrhea, HPV, and syphilis.
STDs in the US
STDs are a major public health problem in the United States. Every year, there are about 20 million new STD infections. That means that about one in four sexually active people in the US will get an STD at some point in their lives.
STDs are a serious health concern because they can cause long-term health problems, including infertility and even death. STDs are also a major financial burden on the US healthcare system. In 2010, estimates showed the cost of STD prevention, testing, and treatment in the US was approximately $16.6 billion, and that number has only grown.
STD Prevention
The best way to prevent STDs is to abstain from sexual contact or to have sex only with a partner who has been tested and is STD-free. If you are sexually active, you should get tested regularly for STDs and use condoms to reduce your risk of infection.
One of the most important ways to reduce STD transmission is to educate people about how to protect themselves. There are a few key ways to prevent STD transmission:
- Use condoms consistently and correctly. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of STD transmission.
- Avoid sharing needles or other sharp instruments. If you must share needles, be sure to clean them with bleach before using them.
- Limit your number of sexual partners. The more partners you have, the greater your risk of STD transmission.
- Get tested regularly. STD testing can help you detect STDs early so you can get treatment before they cause serious health problems.
STD Testing Options
If you think you may have an STD, it’s important to get tested as soon as possible. There are many different types of STD tests available, and the type of test you need will depend on which STD you suspect you have.
For those seeking a comprehensive STD test, Haled offers both 3-Panel and 10-Panel At-Home STD Tests. The Haled 3-Panel STD Test includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis – three of the most common STD infections. In addition to the three most common STDs, the Haled 10-Panel STD Test includes hepatitis B and C antibodies, herpes 1 and 2 antibodies, HIV, and syphilis for the most comprehensive at-home results possible.
Taking an STD test from the comfort of your home can be extremely helpful for anyone nervous or embarrassed to get tested. That’s why Haled’s health testing system always utilizes friendly, certified health professionals and only delivers results to your private digital portal – granting you peace of mind.
Remember: Just like you would for any illness, getting tested for STDs is the only way to keep your body healthy and functioning at full capacity!
Haled Launches Revolutionary Mobile Healthcare Platform
Kansas City Company Disrupts Healthcare Industry with At-Home Blood Testing via On-Demand Nurse Network
KANSAS CITY, MO, November 1, 2022 – Haled Founder Jerred Mann saw the shortcomings of traditional healthcare – long wait times, delayed results and hidden costs – as well as the medical inaccuracy of the burgeoning digital healthcare system. The influx of at-home finger prick blood testing companies created a pool of often compromised test results medical professionals could not accept, leading to expensive retesting and longer time commitments to diagnose symptoms.
After years of questioning a flawed medical system, Mann developed Haled, a first-of-its-kind digital healthcare platform that utilizes an on-demand network of certified health professionals to draw blood samples in patients’ homes at their convenience. Haled operates in three simple steps: Patients can order one of 18 test kits to their home, book a 15-minute appointment with a certified medical professional through the Haled website, and receive doctor-grade results directly to their private, online portal which they can choose to share with their physician or discuss with a telehealth provider for a small fee. Haled’s current test offerings span food sensitivities, STDs, thyroid irregularities, allergies, heart disease, general wellness and more, with plans to expand to other healthcare arenas.
Haled is rapidly growing based on consumer demand and interest from healthcare professionals. The groundbreaking mobile healthcare company is backed by investors from EdgeHill Venture Partners, who are excited to play an integral role in streamlining healthcare into an accessible platform and mobile application.
EdgeHill Managing Partner Joey Grant commented on his firm’s new entrepreneurial business venture, stating, “We believe Haled has the potential to completely disrupt both traditional and digital healthcare with on-demand, doctor-grade health tests administered by a mobile network of nurses and phlebotomists.”
Amid competing digital and traditional healthcare models, Haled’s mission is to offer consumers a third, integrated choice that combines medical-grade accuracy with at-home convenience and price transparency. All test prices listed online include at-home appointments costs and shipping fees.
As Haled aims to lead the new era of direct-to-consumer at-home medical testing, Mann addresses his primary motivation: “Consumers don’t need to be burdened with the traditional long wait times for basic health tests; they need them delivered to their living rooms.”
Haled accepts all forms of credit cards, PayPal, ApplePay and GooglePay as well as HSA & FSA funds.
About Haled
Haled is transforming digital healthcare as the first national health testing company to perform at-home blood draws via a mobile network of healthcare professionals. Through CLIA-certified lab testing, convenient scheduling and transparent pricing, Haled is committed to leading the new era of direct-to-consumer digital healthcare. The groundbreaking company currently offers 18 health tests spanning allergies, STDs, heart disease, general wellness and more with doctor-grade results that can be accepted by physicians. Get Haled, and get healthcare delivered.
Visit www.Haled.com to learn more.
What is Your Thyroid?
Common Disorders, At-Home Thyroid Tests and More
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck. It’s an important part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that regulate your metabolism. Your thyroid gland produces two main hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones help to control your body’s metabolic rate, which affects everything from your heart rate to your appetite.
Common Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid disorders can cause a variety of symptoms, including weight gain or loss, fatigue, and mood swings. If you think you may have a thyroid disorder, it’s important to seek a diagnosis. Thyroid disorders are typically categorized as either hypo- or hyper- in resulting thyroid hormone production.
Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism
The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism, which is characterized by a decrease in thyroid hormone production. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss. Thyroid disorders can also cause an increase in thyroid hormone production, known as hyperthyroidism. This can cause symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and tremors.
In some cases, thyroid disorders can also lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called thyroid storm. As a result, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of thyroid disorders so that they can be properly diagnosed and treated.
How to Test Your Thyroid
Thyroid issues can be tricky to pin down because symptoms can vary widely from person to person depending on whether you suffer from hypo- or hyper-thyroidism. Unfortunately, many doctors don’t test for thyroid problems unless you specifically request it.
Testing Your Thyroid at Home
For those curious about their thyroid hormone levels, there’s good news! You can now order an At-Home Thyroid Test at Haled.com to check your levels from the comfort of your home. Haled’s at-home thyroid panel tests for four key indicators of thyroid function: Free T4, Total T3, Total T4, TSH. Just order a test kit, register your kit online and schedule an in-home appointment with one of our friendly mobile healthcare professionals to perform your in-home blood draw, the most accurate method of testing for thyroid disorders.
Following your Haled At-Home Thyroid Appointment, allow 3-4 days to receive results directly to your device. You can then choose to share your results with a trusted physician or schedule an online consultation with a telehealth doctor for an additional fee.
Pending your results, there are a few possible next steps you can take to address a malfunctioning thyroid.
Improving Thyroid Functioning Naturally
If you’re interested in improving your thyroid functioning naturally before reviewing prescription medications, there are some basic lifestyle changes you can put into practice to encourage a healthy, balanced thyroid:
- Make sure you’re getting enough iodine in your diet. Iodine is essential for thyroid function, and you can get it by eating iodine-rich foods like seafood and eggs.
- Avoid stress as much as possible. Stress can wreak havoc on your hormones and throw your thyroid out of balance.
- Get regular exercise. Exercise helps to boost your metabolism and keep your hormone levels in check.
By following these three simple tips, you can reduce your risk of developing more severe thyroid complications; however, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional to find the treatment plan that works best for your individual needs.
Curious about whether or not your thyroid is up to par? Check out Haled’s Thyroid Test to analyze your thyroid hormone levels ASAP, and get private, reliable results delivered to your device in days!
Could You Have a Food Sensitivity?
Food Sensitivity Symptoms to Watch Out For
Food sensitivities are a growing problem in the United States. A food sensitivity is an abnormal response to a food that your body mistakes for something harmful. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include digestive problems, headaches, skin rashes, and respiratory problems. Common symptoms of a food sensitivity include:
- Digestive problems: abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, gas
- Headaches: migraines, tension headaches
- Skin problems: hives, eczema, rashes
- Respiratory problems: congestion, wheezing, difficulty breathing
- Fatigue or insomnia
The symptoms of a food sensitivity can vary depending on the person and the offending food. Some people may have only mild symptoms, while others may have severe reactions. Symptom onset can also vary, from immediately after eating the offending food to hours or even days later.
What Causes a Food Sensitivity?
A food sensitivity occurs when your body reacts to a food that it mistakes for something harmful. When you eat the offending food, your immune system releases antibodies to fight off what it perceives as a threat. This can cause inflammation and other problems throughout your body.
Certain foods are more likely to cause sensitivities than others. The most common offenders are dairy products, gluten, soy, eggs, and nuts. But any food can potentially cause a reaction. If you think you might have a food sensitivity, see your doctor for tests to determine which foods are causing problems for you. There is no cure for food sensitivities, but by identifying and avoiding the offending foods, you can minimize or eliminate your symptoms.
What’s the Difference Between a Food Sensitivity and a Food Allergy?
While food allergies are more well-known, sensitivities to certain foods are actually much more common. Here’s what you need to know about the difference between the two, plus symptoms to watch out for.
A food sensitivity is an abnormal response to a food that your body mistakes for something harmful. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include digestive problems, headaches, skin rashes, and respiratory problems.
A food allergy, on the other hand, occurs when your body has a specific and measurable immune reaction to a particular food protein. When you eat the offending food, your immune system releases antibodies to fight off what it perceives as a threat. This can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that affects multiple systems in the body. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drop in blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
The most common food allergy offenders are peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, fish, milk, soy, and wheat. If you have a food allergy, even a small amount of the offending food can trigger a reaction. That’s why it’s so important to avoid foods that you’re allergic to and to carry emergency medication with you at all times in case of accidental exposure.
How to Test for a Food Sensitivity
Immunoglobulin (IgG) testing can be used to help identify which foods may be causing a problem for you. IgG testing is a blood test that measures your body’s reaction to specific foods. IgG tests are generally considered to be accurate for food sensitivity testing. A CLIA-accredited lab or trusted physician can interpret your test results and help you make decisions about which foods to avoid.
If you think you might have a food sensitivity, don’t wait to get tested. With the help of IgG tests such as Haled’s 96- and 208-Panel Food Sensitivity Tests, you can quickly identify offending foods and make the necessary changes to your diet to feel your best.
Check out Haled’s Food Sensitivity and Allergy Tests here.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-sensitivity-symptoms
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/food-sensitivity-intolerance-symptoms-causes#1
Photo by Vie Studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/nuts-in-a-jar-7420737/