Dr Sarah Jarvis is the Clinical Director of the Patient Platform, an active medical writer, broadcaster, and the resident doctor for BBC Radio 2.
These days technology is no longer the preserve of the young. We all seem to have technology at our fingertips. Of course, all that information online can be a little overwhelming – and if you’re abroad, you may find all your Google searches come up with local guidelines in a foreign language!
There are lots of apps which can help you manage your medical condition. This is particularly important if you’re on holiday, where time zones for medications may vary and you don’t have access to your regular medical team.
Many of these apps give you access to your medical results, which an emergency doctor could find invaluable.
Who Should Use a Symptom-Tracker App?
There are many advantages to management apps for health conditions, especially if you’re away from home. You can monitor your condition and report back to your doctor when you return, should you need treatment whilst you’re away. In addition, some tracker apps will let you:
- Record your medication.
- Track your symptoms.
- Identify (and avoid) triggers.
- Monitor results, such as peak flow (breathing) or blood glucose (diabetes).
- Link electronically to other measurements like blood pressure recordings.
- Upload reports or test results from your doctor, which an emergency medical team can use for comparison.
- Access high-quality information and general health advice related to your condition.
Which Condition Tracker Apps are Best For Me?
If you have a chronic condition which could get worse at some point, it’s worth considering a tracker app. By using a reputable app, you can ensure that any advice it contains is reliable. And having a UK-based app on your phone means the information will always be relevant to you.
Some of my personal favourites include:
Asthma
The myAsthma app allows you to keep track of your symptoms, as well as your peak flow breathing capacity. Changes in humidity and temperature can affect your asthma symptoms, and the app gives you access to a personalised asthma action management plan.
You and your doctor or nurse can decide this before you go – it gives advice on what steps to take if your symptoms flare up, and when to seek emergency medical help. If your action plan is updated because of a change in your condition while you’re away, you can add this to your app so your medical team back home know what’s changed.
Constipation/Diarrhoea
We may not like to think about it, but a change in diet, fluid intake, temperature and exercise can all play havoc with your bowels. The Bristol stool chart app helps you work out which of the seven types of stool you’re most close to.
This can help you decide if you need to change what you’re doing (including taking laxatives if appropriate) to avoid uncomfortable bloating and tummy pain due to constipation while you’re away. Or, if you’re prone to diarrhoea (if you have a gut condition such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease) you can monitor for flares or work out which foods might be triggering a change in your bowel habit.
COPD
Designed and built by COPD experts (and reviewed by NHS doctors), myCOPD includes expert advice on managing your condition. It lets you track your medication, symptoms and physical activity. You can use their checklist to ensure you’ve taken all the steps you need to ensure a smooth holiday. myCOPD even has an in-app digital ‘pulmonary rehabilitation’ programme of activity.
Diabetes
MyDiabetes is designed for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It’s designed in line with national guidelines and offers education, advice and exercise tips. You can build your personalised targets with your healthcare professional before you go. You can keep track of your activity, eating and blood sugar levels – essential when you’re on holiday and your eating patterns may be out of sync.
Eczema
My Eczema Tracker is a phone app that lets you track and control your eczema symptoms. Hot, cold, wet, dry and windy weather can all lead to eczema flare-ups – and so can chemicals from pools and sometimes changes to your diet. It lets you record your eczema triggers and record the impact your condition is having on your life. Once you know your triggers, it’s much easier to avoid them.
Heart
If you have a heart condition such as angina, heart valve disease or heart failure, or you’ve had a heart attack or bypass grafting, the myHeart app could be for you. Cardiac rehabilitation – increasing your activity and strengthening your heart – is a key part of recovery from heart conditions. You can track your blood pressure and activity and access a rehabilitation programme online. There are walking and stretching videos, a medication diary and a host of helpful lifestyle tips. You can even upload your past echo scans and ECGs, in case you become ill and the medical team need to see them.
Insomnia
1 in 3 people have problems sleeping – and all the changes in your routine whilst on holiday, can play havoc with your rest. Sleepio is a six-week clinically proven programme used to treat insomnia. It’s free on the NHS and uses the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which are widely used to treat depression and anxiety. It’s been found to be as effective as sleeping tablets – with people using it spending over 60% less time awake.
In conclusion, managing chronic health conditions while travelling is increasingly accessible thanks to the advancements in mobile applications. By taking advantage of these condition-specific tracker apps, individuals can continue to manage their symptoms, monitor vital statistics, and access crucial advice remotely.
Whether it's asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, or even insomnia, the right app can drastically reduce the stress associated with managing a chronic illness away from home. As medical technology continues to evolve, these apps stand as vital companions, ensuring both improved daily management and enhanced peace of mind.
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