These Apps Help Me Manage Sickle Cell

The manner in which technological advances have changed the way we live is nothing short of amazing. So many free applications exist to help us with every aspect of life, from shopping to studying, and from cooking to entertainment. If we can use apps for all of this and more, why don’t we use them to help manage our health?

Here are some of the apps I use that have been extremely useful:

Waterlogged. It is recommended that we drink approximately 2 to 4 liters of water a day to stay properly hydrated. Ensuring that we are well-hydrated ultimately promotes better blood flow and reduces the chance of a sickle cell crisis. As beneficial as drinking a lot of water is, it can quickly turn into a chore, and remembering how much water you have had, or just remembering to drink water at all, can be difficult.

Waterlogged allows me to set constant reminders on my phone to drink water throughout the day. The app also allows me to set the total amount of water I plan to drink daily and tailors my notifications to help me achieve the goal.

Flaredown. This app helps me track how I have been feeling. I can enter information about my condition and all the symptoms I experience. Every day, I rate how each symptom affects me and list the treatments I use in response. This allows me to see a pattern with the sickle cell flare-ups I experience. It also helps me to be more aware of the things that may trigger a crisis, which I then can avoid. It helps with doctors’ appointments, too, as I can give a more accurate report about how I have been feeling and am less likely to forget things I want to mention.

Calm. Sickle cell causes me a lot of stress, which is ironic, as stress is one of the biggest triggers of a sickle cell crisis. It’s a pretty unfortunate cycle. Consequently, to help me with this, I downloaded the Calm app. This app has helped me in the past when I experienced a crisis and struggled to rest. I can use it to play calming music or stories to help me fall asleep, or to do breathing exercises and meditation, which help me to reduce the stress I feel each day.

Toon Blast. I think everyone has a game on their phone that they use as a distraction to pass the time. I find that when I am in pain, I frequently play games on my phone. My current favorite is Toon Blast. The game keeps my mind busy, and my focus is shifted from the pain that sickle cell causes.

What are some of the apps you use to help manage your health? Please share in the comments below. 

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Note: Sickle Cell Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sickle Cell Disease News or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sickle cell disease.