In the 21st century, medicine has come a long way. We have never been more aware of what we need to do to keep ourselves healthy and fit, physically and mentally. 

Unfortunately, better knowledge of medicine hasn't exactly translated to a disease-free world. With antibiotics, advanced technology, vaccines and better awareness, we may have eradicated infections that were certainties of death or disability but in their place are now lifestyle diseases and health conditions brought on by the comforts of the 21st century. Despite the knowledge of risk factors for diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiovascular diseases, Liver disorders, Cancers, etc being quite commonplace, this hasn't done much to decrease the incidence of these diseases.

The world is as fast-paced as it ever has been and stress, lack of time, mass consumption of processed foods and sedentary habits have all become precursors to the signature health problems of modern times. Lack of time in this fast-paced era of technology also means that people ignore the warning signs their bodies give them and put off going to the doctor as much as possible even though access to healthcare has never been easier. Even for those diagnosed with any of the aforementioned diseases, it is not always possible to keep up with the schedule of health check-ups and they have to find a way to monitor certain aspects of their own health to a certain extent. 

Fortunately technology, to a certain degree, has the solutions as well to these problems. In this digital age, we all have achieved a certain level of healthcare literacy. We all know what the normal values are for some important parameters of health like blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, BMI, LDL cholesterol etc. And if we don't, we could just look it up with the click of a button. Wouldn't it be wise then to have equipment at home that you could easily operate with the click of a few buttons as well, to monitor your own health as well as the health of your loved ones who may be sick and under house care. 

A word of advice against neglecting regular health checkups thinking that time wasted is money wasted. Health is money as well (health is wealth, remember!). An excellent middle ground would be to invest in these medical equipment essential for healthcare at home and understand a thing or two about their maintenance.

A digital blood pressure monitor

Reliable and portable, a digital blood pressure monitor is helpful in self-diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias and identifying pre-hypertensive stages. Moreover, a blood pressure monitor helps you identify your baseline blood pressure and has an inbuilt memory that stores a series of your recent blood pressure values so that it can alert you if you were to ever deviate from your baseline value. An abnormal BP could mean anything from an impending cardiac disease to problems in the kidney, liver or the thyroid. If you are living under constant risk factors of these diseases as most of us are, blood pressure monitors help you get ahead of the problem and nip it in the bud!

Steam inhalers and nebulizers

If the example of the recent unfortunate plastic burning incident at Brahmapuram, Kochi has taught us anything, it is the reminder that there are a lot of things that are beyond our control now - including the quality of the air we breathe, which ironically is something we’d expect to improve with advancement in science and technology. What, however, is in our control is the measures we could take to protect our lungs no matter how much the world tries to choke us. 

A steam inhaler is an undeniably worthwhile investment for optimal lung health and longevity. Apart from almost always providing relief from symptoms of respiratory congestion, bronchitis and sinusitis, they also reduce stress and help you relax while opening up your pores and hydrating your skin in a cleansing manner. Essential oils and herbs could also be added to your inhaler for aromatic or therapeutic benefits.

A nebuliser on the other hand converts your liquid medication into a fine mist that can be inhaled through a mask or a mouthpiece making it the most effective form of medication delivery for respiratory problems. This has made a home-based system of treatment possible for chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. Despite its ease of use and fast relief, remember that it should always be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. 

A Pulse Oximeter

Monitoring oxygen levels is important as a dip in your blood oxygen levels as well as the rate at which it is changing could tell you or your physician a lot about an undetected respiratory problem (like asthma, pneumonia, COPD etc) or pre-existing chronic conditions that may lead to heart failures. Its non-invasiveness, ease of use and cost-effectiveness renders the question of investing in this device a no-brainer for any health-conscious person. It can also be used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts to track their oxygen levels during workouts.

Digital thermometer

What sets the digital thermometer apart from the traditional one is the fact that it is : 

• safe to use and does not contain any harmful substances
• hygienic and noninvasive as it does not need to be placed in the mouth or under the armpit (it doesn’t require physical contact at all)
• faster in providing results
• easy to use and accurate

And just like a digital BP monitor, some of them have an inbuilt memory that stores previous readings. All in all, it is a useful thing to have at home for effective health monitoring and for peace of mind.

Hot water bags

Having hot water bags at home is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and safe alternative to painkillers especially for nonvisceral types of pain like sores, aches and general discomforts. It can have a soothing effect as well, especially on old people and colicky babies.  

Infection control kit

After the wake-up call that was Covid -19, there isn’t a particular need to stress the importance of being cautious of infections. Sanitizers are now a mainstay at the threshold of any home and masks have become a part of our everyday clothing. Gloves, masks and sanitizers are a must in every household now, especially if there are chronically ill patients under house care or vulnerable senior citizens.

How do I properly store and maintain my home based medical equipment?

Portability, ease of use and ease of storage may be the most appealing aspects of having these devices at home but it still requires a certain level of care from the owner as would any other devices or gadgets we own to ensure its longevity as well as our safety. It would help you to always keep these tips in mind:

• Clean and disinfect the equipment after each use. As it may be used on patients that are infected or immunocompromised, it is important to prevent any cross-infection between the people in the household. Disinfection should be done using a solution recommended by the manufacturer.
• Regularly check the equipment for wear and tear, and contact the manufacturer or a healthcare professional if you notice any damage, as unlike other gadgets, dysfunctional medical equipment could have implications on the health of its user.
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions (or the manual) carefully before beginning to use the device. 
• Always remember to store your equipment in a dry and cool place, away from direct sunlight.

How do I responsibly dispose of my medical equipment?

When it comes to disposing of medical equipment, see if there are any local guidelines given out by your local waste management authority regarding the specific equipment you are trying to dispose of and follow them. For instance, needles and similar sharp objects would be kept in specific colour-coded containers with a warning label. Infected waste materials like gloves and used cotton gauze may require another specific colour-coded bag.

It is always better to find out if your medical equipment could be put to good use somewhere by someone else instead of looking to get rid of it. See if they are eligible for recycling or if there are organizations or healthcare facilities you could donate it to by contacting a local healthcare provider or an authority in charge. You could also check with the manufacturer to see if they provide any recycling options. It's always better to give back than give away!