20 May 2020
Now that many doctors’ appointments are carried out over the phone, and social distancing measures have become an integral part of our new way of living, monitoring your own health at home can have many benefits.
At Complete Care Shop we offer several different medical devices that enable you to carry out your own health checks, including your blood oxygen levels, heart rate and blood pressure, so you can be confident of keeping a close eye on your physical health.
If you do decide to monitor your own health at home it’s vital to choose reliable equipment and understand how to use the device correctly. When health monitoring equipment is used correctly it can help to detect issues or symptoms early. Always seek advice from a medical professional if you have any concerns.
One simple, yet effective monitor that has become much more recognised during the Coronavirus pandemic is the oximeter. This handy device fits on the end of your finger to record your heart rate and blood oxygen (SpO2) levels.
An oximeter, such as the Digital Fingertip Pulse Oximeter, is a quick and effective way to identify low blood oxygen levels early, which can affect someone’s breathing and may require medical advice or support. Typically, a healthy person will have blood oxygen levels that are between 94% and 99%. It is vital to seek medical advice If your SpO2 levels are lower than 94%.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many doctors’ appointments are now taking place online or via phone, unless it is necessary to see them face-to-face. If you have frequent health check-ups, using a monitor to review your health at home can inform your doctor of any problems, whilst avoiding the need for an appointment at your local surgery.
A common health check is blood pressure, which can highlight the need for further investigation by your doctor. When taking your blood pressure with an upper arm blood pressure monitor, such as the Omrom M3 Blood Pressure Monitor, it is best if you are seated with your legs uncrossed and your arm with the monitor is supported by a cushion or armrest at a similar height to your heart. Most blood pressure monitors include an automatic digital display which shows your readings clearly and will have storage capacity to save previous recordings. Taking regular readings using a blood pressure monitor will give you the opportunity to notice if readings are too high or low so you can let your doctor know sooner rather than later.
Although many people will recognise how a fever feels, with symptoms such as sweating, shivering and feeling hot to the touch, a thermometer can be used to check, or confirm, whether your body is above its normal temperature. Your normal body temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius but it can vary slightly and may be a bit lower or higher on some readings. A reading of, or over, 37.8 degrees Celsius is considered to be a fever.
A traditional thermometer reading is taken under your tongue or armpit, but other thermometers such as the Infrared Forehead Thermometer are designed to be used without the need for contact, helping to prevent the risk of infection. Taking your temperature regularly can help to identify if you have a higher temperature than normal, or confirm if you have a fever. A high temperature is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 and in the current circumstances indicates that you will need to self-isolate.
Everyone in the UK is trying to stop the spread of the Coronavirus and identifying its symptoms early or confirming them with a thermometer can not only help you isolate as soon as possible, but also get the right support if needed.
No matter what type of health monitor you decide is best for your needs, it is vital to understand how to use the device properly and ensure it meets medical standards. Always read and refer to the specific instruction book or leaflet when first purchasing a monitor or if you’re unsure about a certain part of the process. If you are concerned about any of your readings it is important you seek medical advice to discuss your results.
Being able to monitor our own health at home has been essential for some during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it can and should help us to keep a check on our health at home in the long-term. At Complete Care Shop we offer a comprehensive range of medical aids that help you to do safe and convenient health checks at home.
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