With the extra busy schedules people have these days, fitness tracking apps have helped many people time and track their exercise time, calories burnt and the time taken to do so. These apps also remind us to drink water, not exceed our calorie limits for the day, as well as keep exercising. However, sometimes these devices can have an adverse impact on our health. Instead of making us feel better, they can make us feel anxious or stressed. This generally happens when we become too focused on the numbers and start to worry if they aren't perfect. It's important to understand that while these trackers can be helpful, they shouldn't control our mood or make us feel bad about ourselves.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association also found that people with heart problems who used trackers were more worried about their symptoms. With so many people using these devices, it's becoming a common problem. 20% of wearable users felt anxious and always contacted their doctors when they received an irregular rhythm notification. They also found that these devices meant increased monitoring and worrying, higher usage of AFib (atrial fibrillation) specific health care etc. These findings suggest that while wearables can help patients monitor their AFib, they may also lead to increased anxiety and health care use. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of these devices on patients, doctors, and the health care system.

Signs These Apps May Be Getting Too Much For You

We can become too focused on achieving certain goals, like a certain number of steps or a perfect sleep score. This can lead to stress and anxiety when we don't meet those goals, instead of simply using the information to support a healthy lifestyle.

Your Metrics Influence Your Mood

If your happiness or sadness depends on the numbers your fitness tracker shows, it's a sign you might need a break. Getting a low score can make you feel like you've failed, even if you've been making healthy choices. It's normal to feel a little disappointed when you don't reach a goal, but your overall mood shouldn't be affected. If you notice that your mood changes a lot based on your tracker's data, it might be time to step away from it for a while.

You Constantly Try To Interpret Your Numbers

If you find yourself constantly searching online to understand what your tracker's data means, it's a warning sign. Trying to interpret every number can lead to more worry and confusion. You might start to believe you have health problems that don't exist. It's important to remember that these trackers are tools, not medical professionals. Spending too much time trying to decode the data can increase your anxiety instead of helping you.

You Feel Anxious When You Can’t See Your Data

If you feel nervous or anxious when you forget your tracker or it's not working, you might be too dependent on it. You should be able to feel comfortable and relaxed without constant data. If you feel panicky when you can't see your numbers, it's a sign you need to learn to be okay without them. You should be able to trust your body's signals instead of relying only on the tracker.

You’re Ignoring How Your Body Feels

If you rely only on your tracker and ignore what your body is telling you, it's a problem. Your body's signals are important. For example, you might feel well-rested, but if your tracker says your sleep quality is low, you might start to doubt yourself. It's important to listen to your body and not just the numbers. Your body knows when it's tired, hungry, or needs rest. The tracker is a tool to support your health, not replace your body’s signals.

Rebecca King Crews, wife of actor Terry Crews, has opened up about her diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, which was previously dismissed as mere anxiety.

Speaking on the TODAY show, she also revealed a newly-approved procedure that has helped manage her symptoms. After three years, she’s able to write.

"I feel good," King Crews said during the segment. "I’m able to write my name and my dates, and I’m able to write with my right hand for the first time in probably three years."

Parkinson's Dismissed As Anxiety

The symptoms came suddenly and progressed quickly. Rebecca revealed that her first set of symptoms appeared around 2012, which began with numbness in her left foot while working out. It then progressed to a limp.

Then her left arm wasn't swinging as much as her right during certain exercises. Another was experiencing tremors while applying lip gloss, putting on makeup, or brushing her teeth. However, her doctor just thought she was having anxiety, the Today report said.

After three years of confusing symptoms, a Parkinson's specialist in 2015 recognized that she had the condition.

US FDA-approved treatment for Parkinson’s

Also read: Japan Approves First-Ever Stem Cell Therapies For Parkinson’s And Heart Failure

In the hope of a miracle, Rebecca was praying on her knees beside her bed when her husband, Terry Crews, informed her of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) non-invasive surgical procedure for her symptoms.

Last month, she underwent the new procedure called a bilateral focused ultrasound. The 2025 approved procedure uses sound waves directed into the brain to eradicate the debilitating symptoms.

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, primarily affecting people over 60. Apart from motor loss, the disease also causes cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, and swallowing problems.

The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand or sometimes a foot or the jaw. Over time, swinging your arms may become difficult, and your speech may become soft or slurred. The disorder also causes stiffness, slowing of movement, and trouble with balance that raises the risk of falls.

Also read: Is Parkinson's Disease Infectious?

What Is A Focused Ultrasound For Parkinson's?

Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with symptoms secondary to Parkinson’s disease.

This novel technology focuses on beams of ultrasonic energy to targets deep in the brain without damaging surrounding normal tissue.

During the procedure, doctors use a device called Exablate Neuro, developed by a company called Insightec, to deliver ultrasound waves to specific areas on both sides of the brain.

They're guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to target the areas thought to be involved in the movement symptoms in Parkinson's.

The procedure typically produces immediate results and can be a good option for people who can't or don't want to pursue deep-brain stimulation, according to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

A fall at home might look small, but for women older than 65, a broken hip can be a big and serious health problem. In real medical terms, this condition has a 20 to 30 percent chance of being deadly within the first year.

As people get older, their bones get weaker because of osteoporosis, which makes them more likely to break even from small falls. However, the bigger problem starts once the injury happens.

According to World Health organization (WHO), around 60 per cent of people living with osteoarthritis are women, yet awareness remains limited until symptoms begin to interfere with mobility and daily function.

Loss Of Muscles

Reports show that 70 per cent of women will get arthritis and osteoporosis. Most of them had no idea it was coming. HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand the reasons behind the trend.

Dr Gurdeep Avinash Ratra, Consultant - Orthopedics and Joint Replacement, Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram said that the development of these disorders is gradual and closely tied to physiological changes.

“After the age of 30, there is a steady decline in muscle mass, accompanied by a more rapid reduction in strength and power. With menopause, the significant fall in estrogen levels removes natural protection for bone density and joint health. Over time, this leads to increased bone fragility, reduced muscular support, and stress on joints, thereby elevating the risk of fractures and chronic joint conditions,” Ratra told HealthandMe.

Health Coach Prashant Desai in a post on social media platform X, noted that after the age of 30:

• muscle mass starts declining by 1 per cent every year.
• muscle strength declines three times faster.
• muscle power declines eight times faster.

Treatment

Experts said a hip fracture needs to be treated right away as a serious medical problem that requires care from many different medical specialists, not just a doctor who focuses on bones.

Dr Rajesh Kumar Verma, Director – Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali explained that limited movement can cause blood clots, chest infections, pressure sores, and loss of muscle quickly. Many patients also face a quick drop in their ability to take care of themselves, which can impact both their body and mind.

Also read: Suffering From Mid-back Pain? Doctors Say It May Be Spinal TB

“Delayed treatment further increases risk. Early surgery and prompt recovery treatment help increase the chances of surviving and recovering better,” Verma told HealthandMe.

How to Prevent

• Maintaining a healthy waist circumference as an early indicator of metabolic health.
• Engaging in regular strength training to preserve bone density and muscle mass.
• Ensuring adequate protein intake to support muscle maintenance.
• Incorporating sufficient calcium and Vitamin D into the diet.
• Remaining physically active, with exercise beyond low impact activities alone.
• Get medical help right away if you fall or think you might have a broken bone.
• Have surgery as soon as your doctor suggests it, because it can help you recover better.
• Begin physiotherapy as soon as possible after the surgery to help restore movement and avoid any serious issues.
• Make sure to eat well, paying special attention to getting enough protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
• Check for fall risks at home by looking at things like lighting, floor surfaces, and handrails.

What to avoid

• Do not wait to go to the hospital, even if the hip fracture pain feels okay.
• Avoid staying in bed for long because a hip fracture can lead to infections, pressure sores, and blood clots.
• Do not skip osteoporosis treatment for hip fractures because it is very important to stop broken bones from happening again.
• Avoid skipping follow-ups or rehabilitation sessions for hip fractures after the surgery.

World Health Day serves as a reminder that regular preventive health check-ups stand as mandatory health assessments that all women need to undergo for their long-term health.

Many serious conditions, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, often remain silent in their early stages, making regular screening the most effective way to detect them early, when treatment is simpler, less invasive, and more successful.

How Preventive Healthcare Can Help Women

Preventive healthcare enables women to take a proactive role in managing their health rather than responding to illness at an advanced stage. Early detection not only improves clinical outcomes but also effectively decreases treatment difficulties, emotional distress and financial costs while providing superior long-term life quality.

This also helps in identifying risk factors early, allowing timely lifestyle modifications that can prevent disease onset altogether.

Despite this, women often deprioritize their own health due to the multiple roles they juggle, balancing careers, caregiving responsibilities, and family needs. There is also a continued hesitation around discussing reproductive and intimate health concerns, along with a lack of awareness, fear of diagnosis, and social stigma, all of which contribute to delays in seeking timely care.

In many cases, women assume that the absence of symptoms indicates good health, which is a common but risky misconception.

Importance Of Routine Screening

Routine screenings such as Pap smears for cervical health, regular breast examinations, mammography where indicated, thyroid function tests, and basic metabolic screenings like blood sugar and cholesterol levels are critical tools in preventive care.

Periodic health check-ups also provide an opportunity for counselling on nutrition, mental well-being, hormonal health, and lifestyle management, areas that are often overlooked but equally important.

World Health Day serves as a reminder to shift from a reactive to a preventive approach. Prioritizing regular health check-ups, normalizing conversations around women’s health, and encouraging a culture of self-care can significantly improve outcomes. Investing in preventive healthcare is one of the most powerful steps women can take towards leading healthier, longer, and more empowered lives.