How Technology Is Transforming Health Care

Digital devices are empowering the patient and changing the face of health care

By Eric Topol July 12, 2013

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Digital innovations have now made it possible for consumers to use portable devices to access their medical information, monitor their vital signs, take tests at home and carry out a wide range of tasks. In his book "The Creative Destruction of Medicine," Eric Topol, a cardiologist, geneticist and researcher, describes how medicine is entering an age of democratization as power shifts from hospitals, doctors and other caregivers to patients, potentially leading to dramatic health care improvements.
In the mid-20th century Joseph Schumpeter, the noted Austrian economist, popularized the term "creative destruction" to denote transformation that accompanies radical innovation. In recent years, our world has been "Schumpetered."
By virtue of the intensive infiltration of digital devices into our daily lives, we have radically altered how we communicate with one another and with our entire social network at once. Everywhere we go, we take pictures and videos with our cellphone, the one precious object that never leaves our side. Forget about going to a video store to rent a movie and finding out it is not in stock. Just download it at home and watch it on television, a computer monitor, a tablet or even your phone. The Web lets us sample nearly all books in print without even making a purchase and efficiently download the whole book in a flash. Our lives have been radically transformed through digital innovation. Radically transformed. Creatively destroyed.
[What Is the Hospital of Tomorrow?]
But the most precious part of our existence – our health – has thus far been largely unaffected, insulated and almost compartmentalized from this digital revolution. How could this be? Medicine is remarkably conservative to the point of being properly characterized as sclerotic, even ossified. Beyond the reluctance and resistance of physicians to change, the life science industry (companies that develop and commercialize drugs, devices or diagnostic tests) and government regulatory agencies are in a near-paralyzed state, unable to break out of a broken model determining how their products are developed or commercially approved. But that is about to change. Medicine is about to go through its biggest shakeup in history.
For the first time we can digitize humans. We can remotely and continuously monitor each heart beat, moment-to-moment blood pressure readings, the rate and depth of breathing, body temperature, oxygen concentration in the blood, glucose, brain waves, activity, mood – all the things that make us tick. We can image any part of the body and do a three-dimensional reconstruction, eventually leading to the capability of printing an organ. Or, we can use a miniature, handheld, high-resolution imaging device that rapidly captures critical information anywhere, such as the scene of a motor vehicle accident or a person's home in response to a call of distress. We can determine all 6 billion letters ("life codes") of a person's genome sequence.
[U.S. News Rankings: America's Best Hospitals]
And all of this information about an individual can be assembled from wireless biosensors, genome sequencing or imaging to be readily available, integrated with all the traditional medical data and constantly updated. We now have the technology to digitize a human being in highest definition, in granular detail, and in ways that most people thought would not be possible.
This reflects an unprecedented super-convergence. It would not be possible were it not for the maturation of the digital world technologies – the ubiquity of smartphones, bandwidth, pervasive connectivity and social networking. Beyond this, the perfect digital storm includes immense, seemingly unlimited, computing power via cloud server farms, remarkable biosensors, genome sequencing, imaging capabilities and formidable health information systems.
Think of the cellphone, which is not only a hub of telecommunications convergence, but also a remarkable number of devices all rolled into one gadget: camera, video recorder, GPS, calculator, watch, alarm clock, music player, voice recorder, photo album and library of books – like a pluripotent stem cell. Armed with apps, it carries out diverse functions from flashlight to magnifying glass. Then connect it to a wireless network, and this tiny device is a web surfer, word processor, video player, translator, dictionary, encyclopedia and gateway to the world's knowledge base. And, by the way, it even texts, emails and provides phone service. But now picture this device loaded for medicine, capable of displaying all of one's vital signs in real time, conducting laboratory analyses, sequencing parts of one's genome, or even acquiring ultrasound images of one's heart, abdomen or unborn baby.

Get rid of stress instantly at work

    With so many things happening at work and in one’s personal life, it is natural for us to get stressed out. There are many ways of relieving stress, like getting a massage at the spa or unwinding in the bathtub, but these are time consuming. When you are at work, it helps to know some instant stress-busters that will take the edge off and help you maintain your cool. Here are a few stress busters that work instantly.
    LISTEN TO MUSIC: Just play some music when you notice your stress level rising or feel that you are on the verge of losing your cool. Music is a good distraction, which reduces muscle tension and cuts the stress hormones. Maintain a groovy play list that will lift your mood instantly at work.
    DIAL A FRIEND: The quickest way to put a smile back on your face is by calling a loved one. This releases a feel-good hormone called oxytocin, which lifts your mood instantly. Keep your phone handy the next time you feel the stress rising.
    SCRIBBLE A NOTE: When you feel overwhelmed, it helps to write down your thoughts. Make a note of the things that need to be done and adopt a step-by-step process, listing down the way that you would want to go about the task.
    TAKE A WALK: Sometimes the best way to relieve stress is to just walk it out. Pull yourself away from your work station and go out and get some fresh air. It clears your head and helps you think straight. Even a two-minute walk can work wonders.
    REWARD YOURSELF: You can do this in many ways — treat yourself by going shopping, watch a movie or go out for a nice meal. Even planning a fun activity while at work for the end of the day can take the load off.
    GET SOME CHOCOLATES: A lot of people binge when they are stressed out, but we are not encouraging that. You can perhaps have a piece of your favourite chocolate or an ice cream, which will distract you from your current situation instantly.
    DE-CLUTTER YOUR DESK: More often than not, this provides a much-needed distraction when one is stressed out. Get rid of the unwanted things that you have been collecting over time. You will be amazed at how much this helps in keeping you calm.
    PLAY A GAME: Take a break and play a game online or on your phone. Killing a few of those angry birds virtually will bring a smile on your face and take your attention off the problems at work.
    DO A FEW STRETCHES: Taking a few minutes off and doing some stretches will help loosen your muscles and drive the tension away. Massage your neck and shoulders lightly, and feel the difference instantly.
    DRINK WATER: Drinking water helps calm your nerves. So, if you are on the verge of losing your cool at work, start drinking some ice cold water before you get into an argument or get ready to have a face-off.
SIGNS THAT YOU ARE STRESSED OUT Sleep problems Hair fall, with dandruff Fatigue Muscle tension Upset stomach Memory loss Losing your appetite, or gaining weight Change in sex drive Reduced immunity

—BT, 23rd Aug 2013

Try aqua yoga to melt your fat

Fun and super effective, experts say this new workout regime is safe for everyone

- TOI 20th Aug 2013

Ditch your sneakers and tracksuit and strip down to the bare minimum to burn off unwanted calories quickly. Followed by Hollywood celebs like Jennifer Aniston, aqua yoga is fast gaining popularity back home too. This fun and effective workout regime adapts traditional yoga postures in an aquatic environment.
    From a physical point of view, doing asanas (postures) in water reduces the amount of stress on your joints, resulting in you feeling a sense of exhilaration at being able to achieve what you cannot on land. According to Shanthala T Medappa, a yoga instructor, “Anything performed in water is a lot less strenuous on the body. It also helps in alleviating injuries, strains, etc.”
 

WHY GO THE WATER WAY Shanthala says that aqua yoga is a huge stress buster. Even if you don’t know how to swim, it’s not a problem as aqua yoga is performed in shallow, waist or chest-high water. “Asanas that are sometimes tough in normal conditions can be performed a lot better in water because of the buoyancy effect. For example, the Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana, which is normally a tough asana to master, is a lot easier when you do it in water,” she adds.
 

LOSE WEIGHT WITH AQUA-AEROBICS Aqua-aerobics is slowly finding more and more takers. Says Santosh, a trainer, “It’s better than regular aerobics since the buoyancy helps a lot. It’s also better and easier on the joints, and is good for strengthening the body.” Ask him if he would advocate this, and he says, “Aqua-aerobics is an advanced form of aerobics. Since you need extra force to perform aerobics in water, it leads to quicker weight reduction.”
 

WORK IT OUT A water workout is power-packed and burns approximately 800 to 1,000 calories in one hour. What more reason do you need to try this new workout? Put on your swimwear and head straight to the pool.

Popping pills? Give it a rest

If you are sick of popping pills, try these traditional home remedies that help ease asthma and acidity while also adding a glow to your complexion. Cold and Cough Crush 50 gm of sugar candy along with a similar portion of pepper powder, and fold the mixture into 2-3 tablespoons of pure ghee. Make small pellets of it and take three times a day. Five drops of clove oil mixed with one clove of crushed garlic and half a teaspoon of pure honey helps soothe the throat. Toss a mixture of crushed peppercorns (two), a pinch of black cumin seeds and salt to the back of your throat just before you sleep at night. You won’t be bothered by cough or cold and can sleep through the night. Asthma Mix a tablespoon of honey with a pinch of ginger powder and ground black pepper; consume early in the morning. Herbal or black tea with ground ginger, a couple of drops of honey and a dash of lime also helps clear the respiratory tract and can be consumed a couple of times in the day. Acidity After every meal, suck a small piece (the size of a boiled sweet) of jaggery. Crush one clove and one (opened) cardamom. Chew on the powder after every meal (it helps fight acidity and bad breath). Caffeine can cause acidity/cramps and leave you feeling drained out. One litre of water after every 150-200 ml coffee eases the condition. Weight-loss Chew two to three cloves of garlic every morning, and drink a warm glass of water with a juice of one lemon juice. Hair care Warm two tablespoons of coconut oil. Mix it with the juice of two freshly squeezed lemons and one orange. Massage the liquid gently into the scalp for 15-20 minutes. Soak a thin towel in hot water, wring the excess water and wrap it around your head for 10 minutes. Wash it off with a good shampoo. Brittle nails Soak your hands and feet in a bucket of warm water with 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil for 10-15 minutes a day for a month. This helps fortify, thin, damaged and brittle nails. TIRED EYES Crush 50 cleanly washed mint leaves. Wash your face and dab the paste around the eyes and on your face. Lie down for 20 minutes, and allow the paste to dry before rinsing it off with cold water. This works especially if you’ve had a sleepless night, followed by a hard day at work and an evening outing for which you want to look fresh. Soak one tablespoon of dry gooseberry powder in a cup of water and keep it overnight. Strain it in the morning and add one cup of plain water to the liquid, diluting it further. Splash your eyes with the liquid or wash it with the help of an eyecup.

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK SOMETIMES

While eating healthy and exercising are important, experts say it is OK to cut yourself some slack at times

Zeenia F Baria , TOI 16th aug 2013

Are you among those who diligently follow a healthy diet and work out in the gym regularly? While these are essential must-dos for good health, experts say that sometimes, it is OK to give yourself a break. And with the erratic weather tempting you to stay indoors, here are some simple diet and fitness alternatives that are not only enjoyable, but also effective.
HAVE SOME POPCORN Snacking between meals is usually a tricky thing. While one should ideally stick to healthy food items, more often than not, junk or fried food tempts us. When you feel like reaching out for that unhealthy snack instead of a bowl of fresh fruit, have some popcorn instead. Surprised? Clinical nutritionist Dr Nupur Krishnan says that popcorn is an healthy alternative. “That is because it has almost double the amount of antioxidant polyphenols (which protect against cancer and heart disease) per serving than fruits and vegetables. It is a completely unprocessed whole grain and has high fibre content, which ensures that you stay full and digest properly. Not only that, popcorn also helps lower cholesterol, is low in calories and has B vitamins. Healthy snacking boosts energy levels and helps you concentrate better, which in turn makes you more productive,” she says. So, while you maintain a healthy diet, have a bowl of plain popcorn or add some spices instead of processed foods, which are high in sugar, salt and oil content.
LAUGH OUT LOUD Once in a while, we all feel too tired to go to the gym or exercise at home. And experts say it is OK to cut yourself some slack. Research has found that repeatedly laughing till your tummy hurts has the same effect on your body as moderate exercise. Not only does a good laugh improve your mood, it
also lowers your blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol, enhances your immune system and is good for your heart. Just 15 minutes of daily laughter is known to help your blood vessels function better and has benefits that are similar to a simple workout. While we are not asking you to give up working out in favour of laughing, it is OK sometimes to make the swap.
BITE INTO SOME DARK
CHOCOLATE A little bit of dark chocolate every other day is good for your health, say experts. A plant compound called epicatechin, which is found in dark chocolate, stimulates the
same muscle response as exercise, which slows down muscle aging. Dark chocolate also has antioxidants, which keep you healthy and even prevent wrinkles. Don’t get carried away and gorge on a huge chocolate bar — the idea is to eat in moderation and enjoy the benefits it provides to your health.
CREATE A MUSIC LIBRARY Reams may have been written about the benefits of music, and here it is one more time. Want to lead a healthier lifestyle? Make sure music is a part of it! Studies say that listening to music will not only improve your mood, but also reduce stress, increase the level of disease-fighting antibodies and improve cardiovascular health. Some experts even suggest that music can provide relief from pain, helps one recover faster from an illness and even improves mental health. Make it a habit to play music in the background at home. Or listen to it while you cook, travel or when doing your daily chores and errands.
TAKE A WALK OUTSIDE While the rains keep playing peek-a-boo in Bangalore , take advantage of the sun whenever it comes out. Though the beauty industry cries itself hoarse on how important sunscreen is and how much damage sunrays can do in the long run, many people are forgetting that Vitamin D is important for the human body. Spending a few minutes in the sun (preferably early in the morning or before sunset) helps your body produce Vitamin D — a nutrient that is essential for good health. Lack of Vitamin D is known to increase the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and even mental illness.

15 minutes of daily laughter has benefits that are are similar to a simple workout

5 colors of Phytonutrients

Courtesy: I like to join daily health tips for keeping us fit & healthy