5 self-test applications
Masha Vorslav
Applications for self-diagnosis - the first step towards establishing the disease or the initial assessment of their health, far more adequate than panic reading forums on the Internet. They are not able to replace the medical examination (at least for now), but can be excellent assistants. We selected five iOS- and Android-based applications that will be useful in different life situations.
LoveMySkin makes an almost complete map of the human body, on which it is necessary to mark the moles that appear - or erase disappearing - moles. A clear ABCD table (A - asymmetry, B - borders, C - color, D - diameter) is built into the application, which will help to distinguish between dangerous and non-dangerous moles. In addition to these four characteristics, the date of appearance and change of moles is also noted; If there are any suspicions, you can mark the point "mark as a concern" for a specific mole, so as not to forget to show it to the doctor on occasion.
Not entirely diagnostic, more preventive application helps to plan your day for allergies. Zyrtec AllergyCast measures the content of allergenic pollen in the air (and its different species), sends alarm notifications when its level becomes dangerously high, and allows you to notice the symptoms and evaluate your condition on the day. So far there are only three signs (itching, runny nose and sneezing), but soon there should be more. From the pleasant - a beautiful interface and the opportunity to win certificates for Zyrtec drugs.
Hearing problems threaten all age groups (the creators of uHear give unexpected statistics: they are experienced by 65% of people under 65), so it is important to periodically monitor the performance of the hearing aid. This can be done using a smartphone; The application allows you to pass three tests: to determine the quietest sound you can hear, the ability to recognize speech in noise and a small questionnaire. All tests take no more than six minutes, but allow us to assess the current state and dynamics of the auditory abilities.
iTriage is a library of symptoms, diseases, drugs and doctors, in which you can not get lost. The information is available (although in English), it is easy to find and allows you to learn more about the current physical condition, no matter where you are: at home, even at the airport, even at the university (the age for downloading is 17 years). One of the most valuable features of the application is the search for the nearest hospitals and other medical institutions; however, in Russia there will be little confusion from it, but it is irreplaceable when traveling. The rest of iTriage is a truly functional application that allows you to make not only diagnostics to the extent that no doctor can conduct, but also appease paranoid thoughts like "I have a leg cramped, I will die soon."
First Aid is an initiative of the American Red Cross; The app contains a collection of first aid instructions - its effectiveness is noted by the main site about medical applications, iMedicalApps, which Stanford trusts. Thanks to an intuitive interface, it can be used directly in emergency situations — identify symptoms and quickly take the proposed first-aid measures — or as an educational resource where you can find out everything you need, BEFORE the accident and in a more detailed version.