Protect Your Health: Research Your Family's Disease History
Tips for Getting Started
- Since some relatives may find it painful or embarrassing to discuss the details of their health, always approach the issue delicately. Avoid the temptation to bring up the topic in idiscreet settings such as family reunions or holiday dinners.
- To ensure that you receive as much detail as possible, develop a written questionnaire with through, open-ended questions.
Diseases to Ask About
The following list shows some of the diseases inquire about:
- Alcoholism and other forms of substance addiction, including smoking
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular problems, such as stroke, high blood pressure or heart diease
- Diabetes
- Eye diseases, such as glaucoma
- Kidney or liver disease
- Psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder
- Reproductive problems such as miscarriage or high-risk pregnancies
- Respiratory problems, such as asthma or cystic fibrosis
- Weight problems
January 2005 — Ever wonder why your doctor asks so many questions about your family when you come in for a routine physical? The answer lies in your genes.
From hair color to eye color to height, many biological tendencies are inherited, including the predisposition to particular diseases. The more you know about the diseases that run in your family, the better informed your doctor will be to prevent or treat those diseases in you.
While most people are well-versed in the health problems of their immediate family, only a few people can describe the health of their more distant relatives. However, the most useful family health histories are the ones that span three generations or more, so it is important to develop a comprehensive health history. This is a dynamic document that should be updated on a regular basis for the benefit of everyone in your family.
Diagnosis and Prognosis
Once you create a list of the various diseases that have occurred in your family, you need to find out the following:
- How old was the relative when the symptoms first appeared?
- How long did the relative have the disease, and was it treated successfully?
- If the relative is deceased, how old was he or she at the time of death? What was the cause of death?
Race and Disease
Because certain diseases are more likely to strike those of a particular race or ethnicity, your questionnaire should take into account the familial origins of every individual. You may, for instance, think of yourself as an Irish American, but once you research your family's genealogy, you may uncover relatives of other nationalities or races.
One example of a disease with a genetic affinity to certain races is Tay-Sachs disease. In the general population, this disease occurs in only one in every 250 people, but for those who are descended from Eastern European Jews, French Canadians and Louisiana Cajuns, the incidence of the disease is statistically greater.
Nature vs. Nurture
What if you or one of your relatives is adopted? Since there are no blood ties, is there any reason to compare the health history of the adopted child to the adoptive family?
To some extent, the answer is yes. Most diseases are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, so even though adopted children may not share the genes of their adoptive families, they may still be affected by "the lifestyle choices made by members of the immediate household," says Rosemarie Garcia, RN, and Nurse Manager of Neuroscience and Orthopaedics at Memorial Regional Hospital.
For example, an adopted child may not harbor a genetic predisposition toward heart disease, but if he or she is raised by a sedentary family on a diet of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, the risk of heart disease becomes greater. This is why an adopted child — or anyone, for that matter — should always be on the lookout for subtle environmental factors or behaviors that may have an adverse effect on the family's health.
Uncovering Patterns
While a detailed health history is an important goal for every family, the knowledge it yields is no substitute for professional medical advice. Whether you learn about five diseases in your family or none at all, be sure to see your doctor regularly and inquire about precautions you can take to safeguard your health.
"The important thing is to seek intervention," says Morton Schwartzman, MD, Medical Director of the Cystic Fibrosis & Pulmonary Center at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and pediatric pulmonary specialist on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital and Memorial Hospital West. "You and your doctor must be proactive and develop preventative measures."
For a referral to a physician, please call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS.