Digital Health Dr. David Samadi explores the latest technology and innovative products, apps, computers, health systems and more affecting hospitals, healthcare and the doctor-patient relationship. Learn the best health apps, fitness tech tools and nutrition help through technology.
New study of US veterans suggests that people may soon be able to forgo in-person doctors' visits after surgery by opting instead for talking with their surgeons by phone or video. Researchers said that most patients preferred the virtual visits and the doctors didn't miss any infections that popped up after surgery
Read MoreAccording to researchers from Imperial College London: "We are confident that within five to ten years people will be able to walk into the chemist and buy an anti-seasickness device. It may be something like a machine that is used for back pain.”
Read MoreBased on statistics from the American Diabetes Association, there are approximately 30 million children and adults who are suffering from diabetes in the U.S. alone and over 1.5 million Americans diagnosed each year.
Read MoreA team of researchers and engineers have developed a new application for smartphones that could allow doctors using their mobiles to monitor patients' hearts. The i-Stethoscope uses sensors built-in the phone to check a person's heart. Data can be collected and shared with ease. But according to doctors, there are still some things the app cannot do, since it cannot substitute for the doctor-patient relationship. Eko Devices, the Berkeley, California-based company that developed the smartphone app, has received FDA 510(k) clearance for the companion smartphone app and for its smartphone-enabled stethoscope, called Eko Core.
Read MoreA small trial of a portable device that can rapidly read a patient's vital signs shows it performs well compared with standard hospital monitors. The hand-held, battery-powered device - called MouthLab - is the invention of biomedical engineers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. The device, which picks up vital signs from the patient's lips and fingertips, could replace the cumbersome and restrictive equipment currently used in hospitals.
Read MoreThe life sciences team at Google will be joining forces with DexCom, a company specializing in glucose monitoring devices, to develop a new low-cost bandage-sized sensor for people with diabetes. In addition to being small and low-cost, the new wearable sensor will be disposable and usable by people with all types of diabetes. The device will be connected to The Cloud and provide real-time information. DexCom state that the aim of the partnership is to develop next-generation continuous glucose monitoring products that will be "substantially smaller and much less expensive than existing technologies."
Read MorePhone data could predict with 87% accuracy whether someone had depressive symptoms. Most of us are pretty attached to our phones, and researchers are starting to figure out what that connection can tell us about our health, including our mood. In fact, your phone may be able to tell if you’re depressed even better than a self-assessment of your own depression can, according to a small new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Read MoreMuch excitement along with skepticism arose this week as the FDA approved the first 3D printed prescription drug to treat epilepsy. Produced by the drug maker, Aprecia Pharmaceuticals, the FDA has approved the drug named Spritam for both adults and children suffering from certain types of seizures caused by epilepsy. 3D printing is disrupting many production methods that date all the way back to the Industrial Revolution, from fashion and retail to computer science and healthcare. We’ve seen this concept of bio printing quickly come to life where instead of traditional “ink” the printers spray human cells.
Read MoreThe health industry has been following the evolution of social media and its effect on our health and over the years many studies have been done to show the effect of it on our brain. Facebook made lead to depression due to social comparison. The LED light on our laptops and iPads might be keeping us awake. We've been hearing about tech's effect on our health a lot. The question remains: how can we still use it in moderation, enjoy it but not overuse it? The concept is similar to how we eat. Here are some lessons learned.
Read MoreA Chicago optometrist has created a digital eye exam that adults can take on their computers and smartphones, My Fox Chicago reported. The test, called Opternative, takes 25 minutes or less and produces a prescription from a registered ophthalmologist within 24 hours. The test costs users $40. According to OkCopay, an online service that tracks out-of-pocket medical expenses, the national median cost of an eye exam is $85. Opternative co-founder Dr. Steven Lee thought of the idea years ago after one of his patients asked whether an easier eye exam was available.
Read MoreWhat seems like a concept straight out of science fiction may become reality soon — bones could possibly be 3D printed. Chinese company called Xi’an Particle Cloud Advanced Materials Technology Co. announced it had successfully transplanted artificial biodegradable 3D-printed bones into a rabbit.
Read MoreSome studies have shown that technology may have some negative effects on cognitive skills and even affect our ability to fall into a deep sleep. However, these 5 apps are being used by many people who claim they really help strengthen their cognitive skills and even relieve stress. Here's the top 5.
Read MoreAlcohol Tracker is a smartphone app that lets users enter how many drinks they have each day. If a user drinks more than the maximum amount of alcohol recommended by certain health organizations, then the app will send a notification, warning that the recommended limit has been reached.
Read MoreKeeping track of what to eat, how much to eat and how that affects your weight has never been easier thanks to thousands of diet and nutrition apps available for iPhones, Androids and tablets. The problem is how to decipher which ones are really good and which ones are just so-so.
Read MoreBionic lenses could give superhuman vision. This field has had many advances in technology. We explore.
Read More34 year old Erik Sorto had been paralyzed from the neck down for the past 13 years. He suffered a spinal cord injury due to a gunshot 10 years earlier. Millions of individuals have lost the ability to sense and move their bodies, through illness or injury.
Read MoreThe future of preventive care is being heavily disrupted by tech and we're all better off. Here are 6 start-ups working toward fixing huge problems across preventive care so we can fight chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Read MoreResearch in the Journal of Family Practice identified that at least 20% of Americans have needle phobia. This can result in many critical preventive procedures like vaccines and flu shots being avoided. Many experts deem this as a public health issue.
Read MoreThe role of technology is growing more and more across healthcare. We've seen digital health completely transform specific areas of medicine, empowering doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers to better tack, manage patient information and improve healthcare delivery, improve access, reduce costs and increase quality.
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