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JAN/FEB 2022
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TOP MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR 2022 Coming This Year!
Another new year is officially upon us. While 2021 brought its own challenges, it was still a year of many exciting milestones in our house. Between Dr. Copeland, Dr. Hanna, and my family, each year brings its own firsts (and sometimes lasts): a first Christmas, first time without training wheels, first “home run,” or even last year of preschool. Each year holds many moments remembered and the promise of more to come. Professionally, I am equally excited about all the new advances and technologies another year will bring. As I write this, we are using digital technology and processes that weren’t available even in 2020. Below, you can read directly from Dr. Bertalan Meskó and Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo on their top five medical innovations expected to impact the coming year. I wish each of you a very happy new year full of health, wellness, and prosperity!
called “vocal biomarkers.” By analyzing a person’s voice recording, the algorithm can discern differences between vocal patterns characteristic of certain diseases. This is the technology that startup Sonaphi is employing in its app that aims to detect potential COVID-19 infections based on vocal features. Earlier during the pandemic, researchers and engineers from San Francisco explored such potential through the Cough for the Cure initiative. Other organizations like Cambridge University, Carnegie Mellon University, and UK health start-up Novoic have also been reported to be working on similar projects. We could thus see more such voice-tech apps to be released this year that might potentially help identify conditions beyond COVID-19. They could offer fast, accurate, and cost-effective checkups remotely while alleviating the burden on hospitals. 2. AI in Diagnostics: The Physician’s Assistant The pandemic highlighted AI’s potential in health care, and the technology will continue to bring its disruptive force in this field. In 2022, we can expect more applications of AI in diagnostics beyond identifying COVID-19 from coughs. For instance, with dermatology apps like MiiSkin and Google’s Derm Assist, patients can keep track of their skin lesions, receive
regular reminders to monitor any suspicious lesions, and get recommendations as to when to have a specialist investigate further. Clinicians as well will have AI-based tools to support diagnoses. PathAI is developing a system that uses digital pathology slides with AI technology to aid pathologists in making quicker and more accurate diagnoses. With deep learning techniques, Enlitic’s software can flag radiology images with subtle suspicious signs earlier to speed up the workflow of practitioners and help save crucial time for patients. Now we even have companies like DeepMind using their AI to predict protein structure, a task that clinicians cannot accomplish themselves. This approach can help develop new cures for conditions with faulty proteins. Their AI previously helped predict the risk of developing acute kidney disease two days before it manifests based on patients’ medical records and lab results. With such potential across clinical practice, we should not be surprised to see new AI tools coming to the aid of doctors and patients alike. 3. Chatbots: The New First Contact Point for Primary Care During the pandemic, smart algorithms have also proven their worth in assisting health care professionals to distinguish those who could have been infected with COVID-19 from those
–Dr. Jones
1. Vocal Biomarkers: Identifying Conditions From a Conversation “Computer, run a health check-up from my vocal input.” This line might seem to have been lifted from a “Star Trek” script, but we are close to having such conversations with our computers. With artificial intelligence-based techniques, symptom-checker software can detect so-
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with less threatening conditions. Institutions like the National Health Service (NHS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) deployed such tools to ease the pressure on overburdened health care systems. But these little medical helpers have been under development for years, and a number of those are available on the market. These range from general symptom assessment to mental health monitoring app Youper. Fueled by the pandemic, their adoption can be expected to rise and we will see more chatbots developed for more specific medical conditions. In the future, patients might even turn to such chatbots as their first contact point for primary care. Patients will then be connected to a doctor in case the automated assistant cannot respond to the raised issues confidently. 4. At-Home Testing Kits: Lab Tests at Your Doorstep One of the futuristic health care innovations that are the easiest to put into practice now is likely at-home testing. With a personal testing kit, one can measure a range of
health parameters that used to be only available in laboratories.
Some are already seizing the potentials of digital health in this sphere. Insurance firm Oscar Health famously incentivized a healthy lifestyle by rewarding U.S. customers with Amazon gift cards for achieving their daily goals as measured by Fitbit wearables. In Germany, at least six health insurance companies reimburse mySugr’s digital diabetes solution, which includes an app connected to blood glucose monitors for easier management of their condition, and this covers 15 million lives. We can expect to see similar approaches emerge in 2022. However, this presents a slippery slope as it can lead to a leakage of one’s privacy and lifestyle choices. With such insights, insurance companies can modify plans and benefits accordingly and can charge premiums for those who are more at risk of some conditions or who are not taking proper care of their health. You can read more of Dr. Bertalan Meskó and Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo’s thoughts at MedicalFuturist.com/top-medical- innovations-2022.
From microbiome analyses to whole- genome sequencing, such at-home lab tests provide crucial, personalized health information in a private and convenient manner, while lifting off additional pressure on health care institutions. The rise of at-home lab tests has also been precipitated by the need to identify COVID-19 infections quickly and effectively. In the near future, these tests could become as easy and accessible as pregnancy tests: cheap, simple enough to use at home, accurate, and not requiring any technical knowledge. 5. Digital Health Insurance: Revamping the Industry With the significant load of personalized health data that wearables and personal health sensors provide, such digital health technologies hold the potential to change health insurance as we know it. For better or worse, health insurance companies are able to know more about the people they are investing in with quantifiable health parameters and can revamp a flailing industry.
CONTINUING TO KEEP YOU SAFE AND HEALTHY Enhanced Sterilization Protocols and Controls
Beverages will be served safely only upon request.
Masks will be provided for the safety of all.
There will be additional time between patients for enhanced sterilization.
All patients will be asked COVID-19 screening questions.
Please reschedule if you have a fever or a sick family member.
Hand-sanitizing stations are located throughout the office.
Curbside check-in from your vehicle is now available.
Medical-grade air filtration is used in all operatories.
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NEED TO PREVENT FOUL BREATH? HERE’S HOW Goodbye Odor, Hello Fresh Breath!
This Valentine’s Day, you want to enjoy your time with your
onions, cheese, pastrami, orange juice, soda, and alcohol.
include dental appliances that don’t fit right, yeast infections of the mouth, and cavities.
significant other rather than worry if your breath stinks. Bad breath can be annoying, but you can reduce the stink! Here are a few reasons you might have foul-smelling breath and some tips on how to keep your mouth smelling fresh. Reasons for Bad Breath As your mouth and stomach break down food , it’s absorbed into your bloodstream. Then it moves to your lungs, which affects the air you exhale. If you’re eating meals with strong odors, brushing and flossing cover up the odor only temporarily. But the odor will go away completely once the food has passed through your body. Common foods and beverages that cause bad breath include garlic,
How to Prevent Bad Breath Good oral hygiene includes flossing and brushing your teeth daily and replacing your toothbrush every 2–3 months. You can also purchase a tongue scraper to clean your tongue and remove bacteria. It’s recommended to brush your teeth after every meal, but if you can’t, rinse your mouth with water instead. You should visit your dentist at least twice a year for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning. Alongside proper oral hygiene habits, chewing sugarless gum and drinking water will keep your mouth moist, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. You should also eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat . Apples, carrots, and celery help remove odor- causing plaque from your teeth. Have any questions regarding bad breath and how to prevent it? Contact your dentist for more information and to book an appointment.
If you don’t consume those foods or beverages, then poor oral hygiene habits , like not brushing your teeth twice a day or flossing at night, could be the cause. This is because food particles get trapped in and around your teeth, which can lead to increased bacteria and, in turn, more odor. If you’re on top of your oral hygiene habits, then you could have other underlying health problems . It could be a sign of gum disease, stomach issues, or diabetes. You could also have halitosis, which is a stench in your breath that won’t go away even after brushing and can linger for quite some time. Other causes
SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
BRAIN BREAK!
BAKED FETA PASTA AKA VIRAL TIKTOK PASTA!
Ingredients
• 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes • 1 shallot, chopped • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 1/2 cup olive oil • Salt, to taste
• Red pepper flakes, to taste • 3 sprigs of fresh thyme • 1 8-oz block of feta cheese
• 10 oz pasta of choice • Lemon zest to taste
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. In a large pan, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, olive oil, salt, red pepper, and thyme. 3. Place the cheese block in the center of the pan and bake for 40 minutes. 4. Cook pasta according to box instructions. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the noodles. 5. When the tomato and feta cheese mixture is done, add the cooked pasta, pasta water, and lemon zest, stirring until completely combined.
Inspired by Delish.com
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Exciting Medical Technologies Coming This Year! PAGE 1
Continuing to Keep You Safe! PAGE 2
Don’t Let Bad Breath Ruin Valentine’s Day Make TikTok Pasta for Your Sweetheart! PAGE 3
Include Mother Nature in Your Next Date PAGE 4
YOU, ME, AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS 3 OUTSIDE DATE NIGHT IDEAS
Did your significant other leave it up to you to come up with a romantic date idea this Valentine’s Day? Luckily for you, there are tons of date activities that are easy and affordable for you to enjoy with Mother Nature. While the possibilities are endless outside, here are three popular outdoor date ideas! Watch the sunset. Sunsets are intuitively romantic: The sun paints the sky in calming reds, pinks, and purples, creating a beautiful backdrop. While watching the sunset, you and your partner can have a romantic picnic with the sky in view. Or you can embrace the scenery with your other half and create memories you both will never forget. Go stargazing. If you live in the city, stargazing is a good chance to escape for the night and get away from the light pollution in the city. If you already live in a location where you can easily see the
stars, take advantage of the peaceful privacy with your loved one. Maybe you’ll spot a shooting star you can wish upon while you’re out there! Hit up a drive-in movie. If you’re looking for a way to be extra comfy while still sitting outside, a drive-in movie is the best destination! The best part about a drive-in is that you can view both new and old movies as well as bring your own snacks and drinks. If the weather permits and if you have a truck, you can load the bed with blankets and pillows and have a cozy night while watching a movie. These date night ideas are perfect for Valentine’s Day, but they don’t have to be limited to just the holiday! You can also consider these for any date that you have with your significant other. Nothing brings couples closer like being together with nature.
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