German doctors are increasingly prescribing smartphone health apps alongside pills and therapy to patients, marking a growing trend towards digital healthcare.

Civil servant Mona Noe, 30, has long kept close watch over her diet in order to reduce cramps and bloating caused by irritable bowel syndrome.

Noe managed to persuade her doctor to prescribe her the app Cara Care, where she receives wellness tips and keeps a food diary to identify her pain triggers.

“It is difficult to do it by yourself,” she said, preparing a vegetable stir fry without peppers or tomatoes at her home in Schleiden in western Germany, as per the app’s instructions.

“The app has transformed my cooking by helping me avoid certain foods.”

Applications that help patients quit smoking, fight obesity or improve their

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