Image by Mufid Majnun from Pixabay

If there’s one thing we’ve all learned during the global pandemic, it’s that we need to take control of our own health. With hospitals and GPs at full capacity, an increasing amount of people are realizing the importance of having essential medical equipment at home to monitor our general health and detect issues early.

There are certain pieces of inexpensive medical equipment that all of us can purchase for our homes that we can use to alert us to common chronic health issues such as diabetes, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. Of course, it’s still crucial that you and your family have regular checkups from a GP and seek professional medical advice in the case of severe illness, but taking more accountability to our health can make your doctor’s lie much easier. By having these devices on hand, we can listen to our bodies, pick up on changes, and provide our medical practitioners with detailed information on our symptoms.

Here are five essential medical devices you should have in your family home.

The 5 Medical Devices Every Family Home Needs

This list contains five medical devices that you can buy online and keep at home in case of illness.

1. Pulse oximeter

Since the spread of COVID 19 which attacks the respiratory system, Pulse Oximeters have become the number one medical device people are buying for home use. A Pulse Oximeter is a small device that measures the oxygenation levels in the blood and the heart rate. Typically placed over the finger, the device indicates blood oxygenation levels in a matter of seconds.

People suffering from respiratory illnesses such as COVID 19, COPD, or asthma can monitor their blood oxygen levels regularly to make sure they are receiving enough oxygen. The normal range is between 95% and 98%, although those with pre-existing conditions may see readings of 92%, always consult a medical practitioner to determine what range your oxygen levels should be within. Prolonged low oxygen levels can be dangerous, a Pulse Oximeter enables you to detect low oxygen early and seek medical attention, potentially saving your life.

There is a broad range of Pulse Oximeters available for home use, which are almost identical to what you see in a hospital.

2. Digital Blood Pressure Monitor

If you or anyone in your family suffers from high blood pressure, a blood pressure monitor is an essential home medical device. A digital blood pressure monitor reads your blood pressure quickly and accurately. Monitoring your blood pressure carefully will provide your medical practitioner with accurate data on your blood pressure, making it easier to spot patterns or fluctuations. It also serves as a great reminder to keep track of our blood pressure throughout the day and keep up with any prescribed medication. Make sure that your blood pressure monitor is accurate, though, because some lower quality ones will give incorrect readings and cause unnecessary stress.

3. Thermometer

All family homes should have a reliable thermometer on hand in case of a fever. Medical thermometers take your body temperature and determine if someone is suffering from a fever or hyperthermia. When using a thermometer, a normal body temperature is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or 37 degrees Celsius (°C), however, the normal temperature fluctuates from 1° to 2°F (½° to 1°C). If you notice that your or someone in your family’s temperature is lower in the morning and increases throughout the day, there is no cause for alarm, this is totally normal.

Having a working thermometer at home is especially important for pregnant women, children, and newborn babies as a sudden spike in temperature could be a sign that they need urgent medical attention. If you or someone in your family has a fever over 104° F (40° C), seek urgent medical attention.

4. Glucometer

Diabetes is a major killer worldwide. A glucometer is a device used to monitor blood sugar levels in diabetics and people who may be suffering from diabetes. To check your glucose level, simply prick your finger and your reading will appear on the screen. It’s key for anyone with diabetes to measure their blood sugar levels regularly, and if you or someone in your family has diabetes or is at risk of developing diabetes, detecting changes to blood sugar levels early could be lifesaving.

5. Nebulizer

Nebulizer machines used with saline water or albuterol are an effective method for improving congestion, fatigue, and coughing. Nebulizers are often prescribed by doctors as part of breathing therapy for patients struggling with severe asthma or other respiratory issues. Nebulizer machines turn liquid medicine into mist, opening the airways and making it easier to inhale if the patient is suffering from an asthma attack or severe respiratory infection. Nebulizers ensure that the patient is getting their medicine which could prevent congestion in patients with severe heart or lung failure.