Introduction
As a member of The Medical Futurist team, I am fortunate to live in a world where cutting-edge technology is always at my fingertips. Our lead researcher, Dr. Meskó, has tested over a hundred different devices, setting a high standard for our reviews. While my experience is more limited, working with this team has expanded my knowledge and understanding of digital health technology. So when I upgraded to the Apple Watch Series 9, it was only natural that a review would follow.
The Apple vs. Android Debate
Like the rest of the world, our core team is divided by our preferences: Apple or Android? I am firmly on the Apple side, with unwavering loyalty to their smartphones and watches. I am aware of the flaws that many find in these products, but my preferences lean differently. And I am a snob who deeply appreciates a seamless user experience.
My Journey with Apple Watches
My journey with Apple Watches began with the now vintage Series 3 – which, by the way, still functions flawlessly. However, I found its limitations in health features increasingly annoying, which led me to upgrade to the Series 9.
Main Health Features of Series 9
Upon its debut, critics noted that the ninth series didn’t introduce many new health features. While this may be true, compared to my previous Series 3, the leap feels like selling my first car, the old Eastern-German paper-maché Trabant, for a Toyota – a genuine WOW moment.
The main health features of the Series 9 include:
- ECG App
- Sleep Tracking
- Cycle Tracking
- Mindfulness
- High and Low Heart Rate Notifications
- Irregular Rhythm Notifications
- Low Cardio Fitness Notifications
- Temperature Sensing
- Fall Detection and Crash Detection
- Blood Oxygen Level Monitoring
Luckily, I have not experienced any problems that would trigger these features, so I can only assume that they work. With my previous watch, I received high heart rate notifications twice throughout the years, when my watch informed me that my heart rate was above 120 even though I wasn’t moving. My watch was probably correct, as both incidents happened during job interviews when I was indeed very nervous.
Overall, my experience with these health features has been positive. One of the main reasons I upgraded to the Series 9 was for advanced sleep tracking. While it took some time to adjust to wearing the watch while sleeping, I now have detailed sleep data that helps me identify connections between events, lifestyle factors, and sleep quality.
The Patent Issues
It is worth mentioning that Apple has faced patent infringement accusations from at least two companies. As a result, the blood oxygen level monitoring feature has been removed from newly manufactured Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches due to a patent dispute with the health tech company Masimo. Fortunately, I have one of the early models that still have the sensor.
Another patent dispute involves AliveCor, which accused Apple of basing its ECG feature on their technology. While the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of AliveCor in terms of patent infringement, it did not lead to a ban on Apple Watch sales as AliveCor had hoped.
Health Information You Gain
The Series 9 Apple Watch offers a wide range of wellness features, and together with the health sensors, it generates an extensive list of health information. This information is presented to you in the form of daily, weekly, and annual statistics. Here are some examples of the data you can see:
Daily stats:
- Activity
- Active energy
- Heart rate
- Resting energy
- Headphone audio levels
- Steps
- Walking and running distance
- Resting heart rate
- Blood oxygen
- Physical effort
- Exercise minutes
- Double support time
- Walking speed
- Walking step length
- Flights climbed
- Time in daylight
- Stair speed down
- Stand minutes
- Heart rate variability
- Stand hours
- Sleep
- Wrist temperature
- Respiratory rate
Weekly stats:
- Stair speed up
- Cardio recovery
- Cardio fitness
- Workouts
- Running power
- Running speed
- Walking asymmetry
- Walking average heart rate
- Walking steadiness
Lifestyle and Comfort Features
In addition to the health and wellness features, one of the main reasons to choose an Apple Watch is its seamless integration with your iPhone. Here are some of the features and functions that I find particularly useful:
- Call notifications
- Ability to answer calls
- Siri integration
- Control of Spotify
- Mobile payment capability
- Customizable notifications
- Detailed weather information
- Calendar alerts
- Timer functions
- Remote camera control
- Do not disturb, Sleep, and Cinema modes
- Access to daily activity and exercise data
Drawbacks of the Apple Watch
There are two major deal breakers for many when it comes to the Apple Watch. First, you need to have an iPhone to access the full functionality. While you can set up a watch for someone else using your iPhone, it’s not the same as having your own iPhone. Additionally, the battery life is a common complaint. While some watches, like Dr. Meskó’s Withings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between Naturopathic & Holistic Medicine?
The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine is based on surgery and drugs as the primary treatment. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. This is not a substitute for standard treatment. Rather, it is an option that allows patients to make their own decisions about their healthcare.
Naturopathy, on the other hand is used to supplement conventional medical practices. It focuses on treating the whole body, mind, and spirit. There are many different forms of naturopathy, including Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Traditional Native American Medicine, and Functional Medicine.
It is important not to forget that some CAM modalities overlap or complement conventional medicine. Both doctors and Naturopaths can prescribe herbal remedies. However, naturopaths prefer lifestyle changes to prescription medications.
Naturopathy is often called “complementary” because it complements conventional medicine, not supplants it. Naturopaths may prescribe medication as needed.
There are differences between naturopathic medicines and other CAM modalities.
- Naturopaths usually do not diagnose or prescribe medication.
- Naturopaths will work with the patient’s family medicine and may refer patients outpatients to specialists, if necessary.
- Naturopathic physicians are licensed by their respective provinces, while CAM practitioners are selfregulated.
- Naturopathy focuses on prevention and wellness and offers education about diet, exercise, and nutrition.
- Naturopaths emphasize the importance of lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, stress management and exercise.
- Naturopharmacists specialize in the use of botanicals and minerals to treat specific conditions.
- Naturopodists can provide personalized care, based on the individual needs of each patient.
- The College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario is responsible for licensing Naturopaths.
- Provincial regulatory bodies license naturopatrists.
- Naturopaticians can be registered with the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
- Naturotherapists are licensed by the College of Naturopaths of British Columbia.
- Naturobiotic therapists are licensed by the United States National Board of Medical Examiners.
- The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency licenses homeopaths.
- Holistic refers to the belief in all aspects of one’s life, including spiritual, physical, and emotional. Holistic doctors will consider these elements together instead of focusing only on one aspect.
Is holistic healthcare the same thing as alternative medicine?
Holistic Health Care distinguishes itself from Alternative Medicine because Holistic Health Care focuses on the whole person instead of just treating symptoms.
Holistic Health Care addresses all aspects of an individual’s life: mental, physical, psychological, spiritual, occupational, cultural and family.
Alternative Medicine does nothing to address these issues. It doesn’t address these issues.
How safe is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicines are safe as they aren’t harmful drugs, but natural remedies that have been used for centuries by people who use them.
They have been proven to be effective in treating many diseases, including asthma, arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes, high blood sugar, heart disease and obesity, as well as anxiety, stress.
Millions of people across the globe who are suffering from different diseases use holistic medicines. They include homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal treatments, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, nutrition, counseling, physical fitness, exercise, and other complementary therapies. These therapies target the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Where can I get more information on holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine refers to a way of treating the whole person, rather than just one area. It considers all aspects of a patient’s life, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not individual symptoms. The focus of holistic medicine is not on curing the disease but on promoting healing.
Holistic medicine is a combination of preventive measures like exercise and nutrition, as well as treatments for chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes.
There are many forms of holistic medicine.
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurveda
- Chiropractic medicine
- Homeopathy
- Herbalism
- Naturopathy
- Nutrition
- Osteopathic medicine
- Vedic medicine
- Yoga
Statistics
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING & TENSION-TYPE HEADADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Effects of Foot Reflexology on Depression and Hospital Anxiety in Older Females: A Randomized Controlled Study – PubMed
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – A systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving acupuncture for insomnia treatment
cam.cancer.gov
webmd.com
How To
How to deal when your girlfriend trusts an alternative medicine.
The internet offers guidance for those caring for a loved one with a mental illness. The internet isn’t able to provide much help for those who believe in alternative medicines.
It appears that there is a large divide between the two groups. There is a huge divide between those who question conventional medicine and those that are open-minded about its benefits.
What happens when you come across someone who believes in alternative treatments for mental health issues?
Because you don’t know the right way to respond, you might feel confused or frustrated. What can you say to your spouse when he tells him he prefers to see an Acupuncturist over his doctor? Or when he says he’d rather have antidepressants than eat gluten-free.
It’s important to ask questions. It can save you a lot of pain later.
So how can you ask difficult questions of him without offending? What if the man says he doesn’t trust doctors. What if he says he doesn’t trust doctors?
Or what if he says she thinks antidepressants do not work? Should you tell her that she’s wrong?
This is where the conversation gets tricky. It can cause further irritation if you point it out that she is wrong.
Alternativly, you might suggest that she sees an psychiatrist. This could lead to more problems than solutions. You may get mad at her for suggesting this. She might think you are trying to control her mind.
So what are you supposed to do?
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Andrea Koncz
Title: Apple Watch Series 9 Review: From Health Monitoring To Lifestyle Integration
Sourced From: medicalfuturist.com/apple-watch-series-9-review-from-health-monitoring-to-lifestyle-integration
Published Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:30:00 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between Naturopathic & Holistic Medicine?
The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine is based on surgery and drugs as the primary treatment. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. This is not a substitute for standard treatment. Rather, it is an option that allows patients to make their own decisions about their healthcare.
Naturopathy, on the other hand is used to supplement conventional medical practices. It focuses on treating the whole body, mind, and spirit. There are many different forms of naturopathy, including Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Traditional Native American Medicine, and Functional Medicine.
It is important not to forget that some CAM modalities overlap or complement conventional medicine. Both doctors and Naturopaths can prescribe herbal remedies. However, naturopaths prefer lifestyle changes to prescription medications.
Naturopathy is often called “complementary” because it complements conventional medicine, not supplants it. Naturopaths may prescribe medication as needed.
There are differences between naturopathic medicines and other CAM modalities.
- Naturopaths usually do not diagnose or prescribe medication.
- Naturopaths will work with the patient’s family medicine and may refer patients outpatients to specialists, if necessary.
- Naturopathic physicians are licensed by their respective provinces, while CAM practitioners are selfregulated.
- Naturopathy focuses on prevention and wellness and offers education about diet, exercise, and nutrition.
- Naturopaths emphasize the importance of lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, stress management and exercise.
- Naturopharmacists specialize in the use of botanicals and minerals to treat specific conditions.
- Naturopodists can provide personalized care, based on the individual needs of each patient.
- The College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario is responsible for licensing Naturopaths.
- Provincial regulatory bodies license naturopatrists.
- Naturopaticians can be registered with the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
- Naturotherapists are licensed by the College of Naturopaths of British Columbia.
- Naturobiotic therapists are licensed by the United States National Board of Medical Examiners.
- The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency licenses homeopaths.
- Holistic refers to the belief in all aspects of one’s life, including spiritual, physical, and emotional. Holistic doctors will consider these elements together instead of focusing only on one aspect.
Is holistic healthcare the same thing as alternative medicine?
Holistic Health Care distinguishes itself from Alternative Medicine because Holistic Health Care focuses on the whole person instead of just treating symptoms.
Holistic Health Care addresses all aspects of an individual’s life: mental, physical, psychological, spiritual, occupational, cultural and family.
Alternative Medicine does nothing to address these issues. It doesn’t address these issues.
How safe is holistic medicine?
Holistic medicines are safe as they aren’t harmful drugs, but natural remedies that have been used for centuries by people who use them.
They have been proven to be effective in treating many diseases, including asthma, arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes, high blood sugar, heart disease and obesity, as well as anxiety, stress.
Millions of people across the globe who are suffering from different diseases use holistic medicines. They include homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal treatments, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, nutrition, counseling, physical fitness, exercise, and other complementary therapies. These therapies target the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Where can I get more information on holistic medicine?
Holistic medicine refers to a way of treating the whole person, rather than just one area. It considers all aspects of a patient’s life, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Holistic medicine treats the whole person and not individual symptoms. The focus of holistic medicine is not on curing the disease but on promoting healing.
Holistic medicine is a combination of preventive measures like exercise and nutrition, as well as treatments for chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes.
There are many forms of holistic medicine.
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Ayurveda
- Chiropractic medicine
- Homeopathy
- Herbalism
- Naturopathy
- Nutrition
- Osteopathic medicine
- Vedic medicine
- Yoga
Statistics
- In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING & TENSION-TYPE HEADADACHE – PubMed
- PubMed: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Effects of Foot Reflexology on Depression and Hospital Anxiety in Older Females: A Randomized Controlled Study – PubMed
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine – A systematic review of randomized controlled trials involving acupuncture for insomnia treatment
cam.cancer.gov
webmd.com
How To
How to deal when your girlfriend trusts an alternative medicine.
The internet offers guidance for those caring for a loved one with a mental illness. The internet isn’t able to provide much help for those who believe in alternative medicines.
It appears that there is a large divide between the two groups. There is a huge divide between those who question conventional medicine and those that are open-minded about its benefits.
What happens when you come across someone who believes in alternative treatments for mental health issues?
Because you don’t know the right way to respond, you might feel confused or frustrated. What can you say to your spouse when he tells him he prefers to see an Acupuncturist over his doctor? Or when he says he’d rather have antidepressants than eat gluten-free.
It’s important to ask questions. It can save you a lot of pain later.
So how can you ask difficult questions of him without offending? What if the man says he doesn’t trust doctors. What if he says he doesn’t trust doctors?
Or what if he says she thinks antidepressants do not work? Should you tell her that she’s wrong?
This is where the conversation gets tricky. It can cause further irritation if you point it out that she is wrong.
Alternativly, you might suggest that she sees an psychiatrist. This could lead to more problems than solutions. You may get mad at her for suggesting this. She might think you are trying to control her mind.
So what are you supposed to do?