MANAGING A CHRONIC CONDITION?

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!

If you live with a chronic condition like diabetes or asthma you know the amount of time, effort, and energy it takes to stay on top of it all. Thankfully, new apps and devices are being developed to help ease the burden of managing long-term health conditions. Here are just a few ways apps can provide support:

KEEP TRACK OF MEDICATIONS BETTER

Apps like Medisafe and Everydose create personal reports of when to take your medications, remind you when you are running low, give interaction warnings, and let you set daily reminders. You can even share your report with family members, caregivers, your pharmacist, or doctor.

GATHER YOUR OWN HEALTH DATA

There are many blood pressure apps that, combined with your smart watch or heart rate monitor, can measure and monitor your blood pressure and provide reports in PDF that you can share with your doctor. Epsy Health is an app designed to manage seizures and triggers for those living with epilepsy, and Sleep Cycle can help you understand your sleep patterns and provides resources for sleeping better.

FIND SUPPORT IN ONLINE COMMUNITIES

You don’t have to manage your condition alone. The “We Are Not Alone” — WANA app is a group chat just for people with chronic illness. Online communities are a great way for people of similar life experiences to find each other and support one another with genuine connections. By finding others with similar lived experiences, you open yourself up to advice, support, and first-hand information from people who can relate to your issues.

Before you download an app and enter in your personal health information, be sure to research and make sure the company is reputable, has good ratings and has a privacy policy that protects your information. No matter what technology you choose, the library of digital options is always growing to help you get the support you need to manage your health.