The human body is portrayed as a system of small and large gears. It emphasizes that a problem with the smallest wheel can disrupt the overall operation of the system and have a fundamental impact on the body as a whole. In other words, even a small issue can have far-reaching consequences if it is not addressed.
Each person deserves to receive a personalized approach to their health and well-being.
What does personalized medicine mean?
In a single moment of our daily lives, it is clear that each person has their own unique characteristics, even when viewed externally. For instance, the person sitting next to you at work may have curlier hair than you, the manager you see in the office kitchen may be shorter than you, and the employee you encounter in the parking lot may have a different skin tone. In addition to these differences, each person has a different sleep pattern, circadian rhythm, eating habits, and psychological and social characteristics. These differences highlight the need for personalized care that takes into account the unique needs and circumstances of each individual.
At this point, personalized medicine comes into play and refers to the whole approach of individualized diagnosis, treatment, and practice. This approach embraces all of the differences among people, including their unique needs, circumstances, and backgrounds, and considers each person as an individual, rather than simply treating everyone in the same way (Alghamdi ve ark., 2022). By taking this approach, we can provide better care for each person and ensure that they receive the most effective and appropriate treatment for their specific needs (Chan ve Ginsburg, 2011).
To summarize, it advocates that the health sector revolves around individuals, not groups!
Where personalized medicine came from:
Archibald Garrod is an important figure in the history of personalized medicine. The British doctor studied rare diseases, and his research on alkaptonuria showed that some chemical variations can result from similar metabolic disorders. This led him to conclude that people are not the same, either in terms of their physical structure or their chemical processes. This insight was an important step toward the development of personalized medicine, which takes into account the unique needs and characteristics of each individual (Goetz ve Schork, 2018).
(”… just as no two individuals of a species are absolutely identical in bodily structure neither are their chemical processes carried out on exactly the same lines.’’)
As Garrod and other scientists have emphasized, the study of molecular changes underlying diseases played a key role in the early development of personalized medicine. At first glance, this may lead one to think that personalized medicine is limited to the study of epigenetics, genomics, and proteomics (Molina and Suarez, 2018). However, this concept encompasses more than just identifying a disease and applying the correct individualized treatment. It also includes prospective early diagnosis and prevention, which are equally important. In other words, personalized medicine is not just about finding the correct treatment for a specific disease, but also about taking a proactive approach to identifying and preventing health problems before they occur (Goetz ve Schork, 2018).
Therefore, it is crucial to regularly monitor and analyze the data collected by modern technology, such as smartwatches and devices that measure heart rate and oxygen saturation. It helps identify potential health problems and allows for timely intervention. In addition, tracking long-term health trends and monitoring for signs of deterioration is substantial to protect overall health and well-being.
We develop wearable technologies that take a personalized approach to health and wellness. Our devices will collect data from users over a specified period, and our mobile application will analyze this data to provide personalized recommendations and guidance. This approach is design to support the development and maintenance of good health for our users. We believe that personalized care and monitoring are key to improving health outcomes and helping people live healthier lives. With our technology, we aim to play a role in protecting and enhancing your health.
REFERENCES:
> Alghamdi, M. A., Fallica, A. N., Virzì, N., Kesharwani, P., Pittalà, V., & Greish, K. (2022). The Promise of Nanotechnology in Personalized Medicine. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(5), 673.
> Angrist, M. (2017). A BRIEF HISTORY OF EVERYONE WHO EVER LIVED The Human Story Retold Through Our Genes. NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW, 122(47), 29-29.
> Chan, I. S., & Ginsburg, G. S. (2011). Personalized medicine: progress and promise. Annual review of genomics and human genetics, 12, 217-244.
> Goetz, L. H., & Schork, N. J. (2018). Personalized medicine: motivation, challenges, and progress. Fertility and sterility, 109(6), 952-963.
> Molina, C., & Prados-Suarez, B. (2021). Digital Phenotypes for Personalized Medicine. In pHealth 2021 (pp. 141-146). IOS Press.