KIT
ACTIVE-8 APP
Spirit Healthcare has released a mobile app,
Activ8rlives, that helps you track your health and
wellness. Free on iOS and Android, the app can
wirelessly record and track a wide range of health
measurements, as well as tracking fitness levels and
sleep patterns and is completely customisable - you
can set your own trackers and goals, depending on
your specific health needs. Data and biomarker values can be uploaded wirelessly from
compatible devices or entered manually. These are then displayed on a customisable
dashboard and in charts. Incorporating an element of gamification to improve motivation,
the app includes daily rewards and points for good levels of daily activity.
Kevin Auton, Co-Founder of Aseptika Ltd, which was recently acquired by Spirit
Healthcare, explains, "By self-monitoring with simple devices through Activ8rlives, you
can be alerted earlier, seek treatment sooner and can prevent small problems escalating.
Whether you need to monitor your blood glucose, your temperature or blood pressure,
this app can combine the data from all your Bluetooth devices to give you an integrated
picture of your health. Our customisable dashboards help you monitor the trends and
patterns in your health that matter to you. Users can identify which foods are 'good' or
'bad', and they can keep track by taking photos or using stored data and you can make
notes. We know from our trials that this helps users learn about their own behaviours and
what drives their eating habits, helping them make 'better' choices in future."
Activ8rlives website
HOME HBA1C
Most of us are very familiar with the very
un-user friendly phrase, 'HbA1c', that
result around which our consultations
with our doctors revolve. Known in
the USA as A1C, the new A1C Now
diagnostic kit means it's possible to check
your HbA1c without having to visit your
GP or clinic as it can be used at home.
Your HbA1c result is one of nine NICE
recommended diabetes checks that all
people with diabetes should receive at
least once a year. It has previously only
been accessed via a clinical setting but
the UK launch of the A1CNow diagnostic
kit means that it is now available to
individuals for the first time. Regular
monitoring of HbA1c blood glucose levels
is useful both for detection and effective
treatment of diabetes. The A1CNow is a
single-use test, which can be used every
The Accu-Chek FastClix finger pricker
is unlike conventional lancing devices in
many ways. There are no longer fiddly,
and arguably dangerous loose lancets
that need to be fitted, this is an extremely
handy little gadget that uses an innovative
drum containing six lancets that you never
have to see or handle, making testing is
safer and hygienic. Prime the device,
press the button and the lancet comes
out, piercing the skin just deep enough,
then retracts safely back inside the drum.
The special cut of the lancet and its
smooth, polished surface mean that skin
penetration is virtually friction-free and
especially gentle (you'll barely feel it). The
drums can then be disposed in household
waste so no need for a separate sharps
bin. With 11 depth settings on the comfort
dial you can adjust the lancet depth to
match your skin type and obtain just
enough blood to provide an accurate test.
Once only available with Accu-Chek's
own range of blood glucose meters now
anyone can get one to use with their own
meter. £14.95 (a box of 24 lancets is
£4.49). www.boots.com
FAST ACTION!
two to three months. The HbA1c result
displays after just five minutes. A low
reading will reassure patients that they
are adequately controlling their long-term
blood glucose levels, a higher reading
should be discussed with your healthcare
professional for further advice. Priced
around £50.
www.a1cnow-selfcheck.co.uk