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BEACON Senior News

How AI and smart gadgets are transforming healthcare and diagnostics

Feb 25, 2025 10:49AM ● By Suzy Cohen

Imagine a world where your smartwatch detects a heart issue before you feel a single symptom, or where artificial intelligence (AI) spots early signs of cancer faster than a human doctor. 

That world isn’t far off—it’s happening now. AI and health gadgets are transforming diagnostics, telehealth and personal health management, making healthcare smarter, faster and more personalized than ever.

FASTER & MORE ACCURATE DIAGNOSES

AI can now analyze X-rays, MRIs and pathology slides with remarkable speed and accuracy, sometimes catching details that even specialists might miss. This technology has also proven revolutionary in detecting early-stage cancers such as breast and lung cancer. 

A study published in “The Lancet Digital Health” found that AI-assisted mammography can detect breast cancer as accurately as human radiologists while reducing false negatives.

WEARABLE TECH & TELEHEALTH

AI goes beyond just scanning images. Devices like KardiaMobile and the Apple Watch can analyze your health data and complex medical history, genetic details and even lifestyle factors to create customized diagnostics. 

They also allow healthcare providers to track key metrics in real time, from blood pressure to heart rate and glucose levels. This means potential health crises—like an irregular heartbeat or a hypertensive episode—can be detected before they escalate.

For managing diabetes, non-invasive glucose monitoring is the next big thing. While Raman spectroscopy-based glucose monitors are still in development, devices like Dexcom G7 and Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 have already revolutionized diabetes care. No more finger pricks—just continuous data sent straight to your smartphone.

Smartwatches like Fitbit also monitor sleep, activity and stress levels. For those managing long COVID or chronic fatigue syndrome, these devices can identify patterns and suggest lifestyle adjustments to optimize energy.

AI-POWERED TREATMENT PLANS 

AI also helps tailor treatment plans for complex conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Apps like MyGIHealth analyze symptoms and dietary habits to recommend personalized lifestyle changes, all while tracking improvements over time.

What does all this mean for you? 

This level of personalization makes healthcare more accessible and accurate than ever before. But as incredible as AI and health gadgets are, they’re not a replacement for the human touch in healthcare. Your doctor, pharmacist and other providers remain your most valuable resources for personalized care. So keep your health in check and your gadgets close!