In the era of COVID-19, home health tests are becoming ever more popular as families become more concerned about their health. What you may not realize is that a large number of affordable, useful home tests that measure critical health markers are available for purchase on the web or at your local pharmacy. Here is a list of home health tests that the whole family should consider:
Food Sensitivity Tests
Food allergies and food sensitivities can affect the whole family or a single family member. Understanding what foods trigger allergic reactions can potentially be a matter of life or death, as severe allergic reactions can trigger anaphylactic shock when an individual encounters them. The autoimmune system is responsible for triggering allergic reactions to food. Food sensitivity tests typically measure the immune system's response to an array of foods and then provide the results. While some allergic responses to foods are dramatic, others are more subtle and may go unnoticed for years, all the while triggering chronic inflammation in the intestines and elsewhere – a major factor in chronic disease. If an allergy is identified through a home food sensitivity test, the individual can then avoid that food item in the future, armed with greater knowledge about how they respond to various foods.
Ketone Measuring Strip
The reasons why your family might be concerned with ketone levels vary. For some, like patients who suffer from epilepsy, optimizing ketone levels is a medical necessity, as many therapeutic remedies for the condition require constant ketosis (the state of burning fat for fuel rather than sugar). For others, measuring ketone levels might be part of a shift to a ketogenic diet for weight loss or other health reasons. Regardless of the reason for monitoring ketone levels, ketone strips can quickly and accurately provide current ketone levels with a high degree of accuracy.
Urinalysis Strips
Urinalysis is called for in a large variety of contexts, from monitoring pH levels (acidity) to assessing kidney function. You and your family likely perform urinalysis at the doctor's office on a regular or semi-regular basis to gauge overall health or to monitor specific conditions. You can order inexpensive urinalysis strips that offer the same insights into health markers like those used in clinical settings, saving a clinic trip.
DNA Test Kits
Individualized medical treatment based on patients' DNA makeup may represent the final frontier in medicine. Whereas historically, treatment was issued on a one-size-fits-all basis, modern science has now clearly established that personal genetic makeup contributes enormously to the likelihood of developing certain diseases or the response to certain diets. As such, understanding you and your family's DNA composition can offer enormous benefits in terms of prolonging life and warding off illness. In addition, you can also discover your family's ancestral makeup in the process.
STD Tests
A brand called EverlyWell produces a smattering of home health tests that run the gamut of healthcare concerns, from COVID-19 tests to ketone strips for ketogenic dieters. Their product line includes female STD testing, which can be nice to do in the privacy of your own home. The test measures seven of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. EverlyWell delivers the at-home test kit through the mail in discreet packaging. The subject then follows the simple instructions provided with the kit, including vaginal swap and finger prick, then mails the materials back to EverlyWell. From there, a certified physician analyzes the results and sends the results via Everylywell's secure platform.
At-Home HIV Tests
Unfortunately, some diseases like HIV still carry a stigma. Some people might feel uncomfortable talking to a nurse or doctor about their concerns. In such instances, an at-home HIV test might be a good alternative to visiting a clinic. Many of these tests offer near-100% accuracy, with results available in less than an hour.
These are just a few of the many home health tests available for sale on the web. They offer the ability to take charge of you and your family's wellness on your own time in the privacy of your home.
