Technology plays a huge part in our daily lives, and increasingly so when it comes to health and wellbeing.

But apps, gadgets and wearable tech don't just help inspire us to exercise and monitor fitness, there's some seriously sophisticated - and sometimes life-changing - health technology out there, as the AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards highlight.

Bringing together some of the best innovations, created by a real mix of product designers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and even charities, there are 24 shortlisted entries across six categories, including 'Manage My Condition', 'Signs And Symptoms' and the special category for 2015, 'Fertility, Pregnancy, Birth, Early Years'. The winners are due to be announced on March 18.

Keen to find out more? Pay a visit to the Design Museum (designmuseum.org) in London, where the shortlisted entries will be on display to the public from March 10 until April 26 and in the meantime, here's a sneak peak at six of our favourites...

AWARE

For people with bipolar disorder - which affects around one in every 100 people, according to the Mental Health Foundation - sleep can play an important role in managing the condition. Sleep patterns can be an early indicator for possible relapse. Developed by product designer Megan Harley, Aware is a wristband worn at night to monitor sleep, sending information to an app on users' phones. Alerts can also be sent to other family members, and even the users' care team, so warning signs can be spotted early, monitored and addressed - hopefully helping to prevent relapses occurring.

:: How can I get it?

Not available just yet. Aware is still in early development, but watch this space. For more info, visit www.meganharley.com

BRUISE

Pain is one of the body's ways of alerting us to the fact we're injured - so we can then take any necessary actions to treat that injury, and avoid possible complications. But what if that pain response system fails?

Bruise, a sophisticated piece of wearable tech created by Royal College of Art and Imperial College London graduates Elena Dieckmann, Lucy Jung, Dan Garrett and Ming Kong, is an injury detection suit designed to help disabled athletes with sensation loss, particularly those who participate in high-octane sports with high injury risk. The suit reacts to pressure levels, changing colour to indicate if areas have been injured. The idea was inspired by an interview with Paralympic sit-skier Talan Skeels-Piggins, who talked about the complications of detecting and assessing the severity of injuries he sustained in training and competition. However, there's also potential for the technology to help people with conditions like dementia and diabetes, which can lead to sensation loss.

:: How can I get it?

Not available just yet. Bruise is still undergoing final testing phases, but for more info, visit www.teambruise.com

BABY BUDDY

The web can be an invaluable tool for mums-to-be and new parents. But it can also be overwhelming, as there are so many websites out there, and it's not always easy to tell which ones are safe to listen to. Baby Buddy, developed by the charity Best Beginnings with funding from Big Lottery Fund, promises to be your 'digital best friend', bringing together personalised content approved by doctors and midwives, and supporting mums-to-be through the tricky transition of pregnancy to new parenthood. As well as providing reliable health information, it's designed to make new mums feel confident too, and already has a big thumbs-up in the form of endorsement by the Department of Health.

:: How can I get it?

The app is free to download on Android and iOS devices. For more info, visit www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/babybuddy

QARDIO ARM

High blood pressure is one of the biggest health threats of our times, a major factor in conditions like stroke and heart disease. Because it's largely symptomless, people often only find out they have high blood pressure through routine tests, and keeping a check on it thereafter can be tricky, as traditional home monitoring kits might not always be practical. That's where QuardioArm comes in handy; a sleek, compact arm monitor wirelessly connects with an app on your phone, enabling blood pressure monitoring to fit seamlessly into daily life. Developed by Qardio, Inc., the product comes clinically tested and works with iOS and Android devices.

:: Where can I get it?

Currently reduced from £99 to £84.15, buy online from www.getqardio.com

BRUSH DJ

'An app twice a day keeps the dentist away!' It's a catchy slogan, and might actually deliver on its promise. NHS-approved app Brush DJ plays music, either taken at random or from playlists on your device, for two minutes - the length of time dentists recommend we brush our teeth for, twice a day (and yes, over-brushing can be damaging to teeth too, as well as under-brushing). You can also set reminders to floss, and when you're due a check-up with the hygienist, etc. Developed by dentist Ben Underwood, who was inspired after watching an episode of The Apprentice, where contestants were tasked with designing an app - Underwood knows that brushing twice daily, for two minutes at a time, gives best protection against decay and gum disease.

:: How can I get it?

The app is free to download for Apple and Android devices. For more info, visit www.brushdj.com