Opinion: 5 tools to stock in home health toolkits
Certain medical tools may help Americans monitor their overall health and wellness and prevent diseases, according to Howard Zucker, M.D., a physician, lawyer and public health expert.
In an opinion piece published by Scientific American, Dr. Zucker detailed the five tools that Americans should include in their home health toolkits. He noted that oximeters, capable of measuring oxygen saturation, can assess the performance of the lungs and heart in delivering oxygen to different parts of the body. These devices may also detect heart rate and arrhythmias.
Blood pressure cuffs can now be purchased for the home, allowing Americans to track their blood pressure more accurately throughout the day. Dr. Zucker advised individuals to use upper arm cuffs to check for hypertension after lying in bed for several minutes with the legs uncrossed. Hypertension has been linked to heart attacks, strokes and dementia.
Dr. Zucker emphasized that thermometers with infrared technology can quickly determine fevers, potentially preventing conditions from sepsis in adults to febrile seizures in children. Further, over-the-counter eyewash — not to be confused with eyedrops — should be kept on hand in case chemicals or small foreign bodies end up in the eyes.
Finally, humidifiers can help attenuate and prevent allergic reactions, improve sleep quality and reduce sinus issues and skin irritation. Dr. Zucker suggested that they can also help ease cold symptoms and even help with snoring.
Dr. Zucker concluded that patients with specific health conditions should also have the necessary medications or tools necessary to monitor disease markers.
Read more: Scientific American
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