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.
Health Biomarkers: Key Indicators of Your Well-Being
Biomarkers are a valuable asset for health professionals, as biomarkers provide an objective measure of health status and can be used to detect changes in the body over time. Here are a few key health biomarkers that measure your overall health.
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!
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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.
Men’s Health: Could Low Testosterone Be to Blame?
We all know that feeling: being totally zapped of energy, struggling to concentrate, or even getting grumpy for no reason. There could be a number of reasons for these symptoms, but if you’re a man over age 40, low testosterone is a likely culprit.
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a male sex hormone also known as an androgen. Men can experience androgen-deficiency at all stages of life, but it is especially common in men over 40. Why is it important to address potential symptoms of androgen-deficiency? Testosterone, a primary androgen, is responsible for maintaining energy levels, muscle mass, bone density, and sex drive. When levels start to dip, it can have a pretty significant impact on your health and wellbeing. Low testosterone can cause fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and a reduced sex drive. It can also lead to more serious health problems such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
Testing your Hormones
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to get tested. An at-home blood test such as Haled’s Men’s Health Test can check your testosterone levels and advise you on the best course of treatment. In some cases, testosterone replacement therapy may be recommended. This involves taking testosterone in the form of injections, gels, or patches.
Making lifestyle changes can also help boost your testosterone levels. Exercise, for example, is a great way to increase testosterone production. Getting enough sleep and reducing stress are also important. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health – and your testosterone levels!
While low testosterone can be a drag, there are ways to treat it and improve your overall health. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, consider getting tested today.
Additional Men’s Health Concerns
In addition to low testosterone, there are a number of other health concerns that men face as they age. Heart disease, for example, is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. In addition to a comprehensive Men’s Health Test, Haled also offers a Heart & Diabetes Focused Health Test for individuals concerned about maintaining their cardiovascular health and optimal blood sugar levels. Other common men’s health problems include prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing these conditions. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress are all important. If you have a family history of any of these conditions, it’s especially important to be proactive about your health. Regular health testing can help catch potential problems early on.
If you hate long waits at the doctor’s office, at-home health testing offers a simple health maintenance option in the comfort and privacy of your own home. At Haled, our innovative digital platform allows you to order a health test, schedule a 15-minute appointment, and receive CLIA-accredited lab results in days.
If you suspect declining hormone levels or other health conditions, don’t let your symptoms fall by the wayside. With the help of Haled, it’s easy to take the necessary steps to protect yourself as you age.
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!