Five must-have health apps for expats

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Medical translation apps

Why are they useful ?

Explaining your symptoms to a doctor can be challenging if you do not speak the local language well. Miscommunication can reduce the quality of care and lead to misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment.

Medical translation apps are designed to bridge this gap. They help patients and doctors communicate more clearly by translating medical questions, symptoms, and explanations across multiple languages.

Examples of apps :

• Care to Translate is one of the best options for expats and travelers. Its free version includes a wide range of standard medical expressions. Paid subscriptions offer more comprehensive features for complex needs.

• Google Translate, with its conversation and offline modes, remains a reliable tool. It supports instant and voice translation. While it may produce occasional errors, especially between very different languages like French and Arabic, it can still be a valuable aid during a medical appointment abroad.

Personal medical tracking apps

Why are they useful ?

Moving abroad often disrupts daily routines, especially in the early months. Yet, maintaining a regular schedule is critical for those following a treatment plan.

Personal medical tracking apps help expats stay on track. They record medication schedules, send reminders for doses and supplements, and alert users when it is time to refill prescriptions.

Examples of apps :

• MyTherapy sends reminders when it is time to take your medication. It also allows you to log treatments with personal notes and notifies you when a refill is needed.

• Medisafe Pill & Med Reminder is another trusted option. It helps ensure you never miss a dose, making it easier to manage your health while living abroad.

Health monitoring apps

Why are they useful ?

Health monitoring apps can help expats manage their well-being while living abroad. These tools allow you to track key health indicators such as weight, physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and menstrual cycles. Monitoring these factors regularly can help you maintain better overall health and spot potential issues early.

Examples of apps :

• Withings is a free app designed to work with Withings connected devices. It tracks a wide range of health metrics. A premium subscription offers additional features, including health improvement programs, guided workouts, recipes, and more.

• Health Tracker: BP Monitor allows you to track important data such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, weight, and BMI. It is a practical choice for expats who need to monitor chronic conditions or simply want to stay on top of their health.

Wellness and mental health apps

Why are they useful ?

Expat life brings many changes and challenges, often leading to stress, anxiety, or disrupted sleep. Maintaining good mental health is just as important as staying physically healthy.

Wellness and mental health apps can help expats manage stress, improve sleep, and build resilience. Many offer meditation sessions, sleep aids, or journaling tools that support emotional well-being. Apps focused on better sleep are especially useful for dealing with sleep issues or jet lag, common problems when adjusting to a new environment.

Examples of apps :

• Calm offers guided meditations, bedtime stories, and relaxing music to help manage stress and improve sleep quality.

• Daylio is a digital journaling app designed for simplicity and flexibility. It allows you to track your mood and daily habits, helping you spot early signs of emotional distress. Unlike traditional paper journals, it is travel-friendly — ideal for expats who move or travel frequently.

Menstrual cycle and fertility tracking apps

Why are they useful ?

Menstrual tracking apps are valuable tools for anyone who menstruates, whether or not they are living abroad. Tracking your cycle can help you understand how it affects your mood, energy levels, and overall health. It can also help you detect irregularities early and support fertility planning if needed.

Examples of apps :

• Flo allows users to track their menstrual cycle, monitor symptoms, and gain a better understanding of their bodies. It also offers an ovulation calculator for those trying to conceive and provides support throughout pregnancy.

• Clue helps track cycles and spot patterns in physical and emotional health. It focuses on providing clear, science-based insights into menstrual and reproductive health.

These apps are particularly useful for those who have just settled abroad. They help you overcome language barriers, control your treatment plans, monitor key health indicators, and support your mental well-being. While living abroad often disrupts routines and shifts focus away from personal health, these tools can help you stay connected to your body and emotions, even amid the uncertainties of life in a new country.

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