Advances in medicine in recent years have redefined the way in which individuals monitor and understand their health. The days of consulting the doctor about the most minor symptoms have long gone, particularly with the availability of home test kits for common conditions, such as high blood pressure or urinary infections. Women planning to become pregnant, too, benefit from home tests, and the autonomy they provide in checking for a positive result.
In this article, we’ll explore three common uses of home test kits and how they can benefit people.
Regular Blood Pressure Monitoring
Often dubbed the ‘silent killer’ because it presents with few or no symptoms, high blood pressure (hypertension) is a major cause of premature death worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation, hypertension causes 7.5 million fatalities globally each year – approximately 13 per cent of all deaths. In the worst cases, high blood pressure can be treated with diuretics, but the adoption of a healthy lifestyle can also be beneficial – but only if the patient realises that they are at-risk. Home blood pressure monitoring kits enable individuals to easily test and track their blood pressure, so that lifestyle alterations or medical interventions can be introduced to avert serious health complications.
Home Pregnancy Tests
In the last forty years, home pregnancy tests have had a transformative impact for expectant mothers and their partners; today’s kits are more reliable than ever, offering 99 % accuracy, with no specialist medical knowledge required to use them. Pregnancy self-testing kits provide women with the ability to confirm their pregnancy at an early stage so they can seek prompt prenatal care and introduce the necessary lifestyle adjustments to ensure a healthy pregnancy from the outset.
UTI Self-monitoring
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for many people, particularly the elderly. While the symptoms of a UTI can be caused by other conditions, accurate testing is essential if proper treatment is to be obtained. Self-monitoring UI test kits enable individuals to swiftly confirm an infection, so they can consult their GP to obtain the necessary treatment and discuss preventive strategies that will reduce the frequency and severity of the infections.
Self-testing: A Step Towards, Not A Substitute For, Expert Healthcare
Self-testing for high blood pressure, pregnancy, and urinary infections is a means to an end, not a replacement for high-quality medical care. Self-tests allow individuals to take responsibility for their health and reduces the burden upon medical professionals who are already working under extreme pressure. The information obtained from tests should always be shared with healthcare professionals to ensure timely treatment as part of a comprehensive care plan.
Contact Us To Find Out More
For more information about our range of self-testing kits, please browse our range or call us on 02825 685385 to chat to a specialist.
