When you think about your family, what comes to your mind? You may think about how much you love them even know they aren’t perfect or even when you’re going to see them next. We know you may not be thinking about their health history. In general, you want your family members to be happy and healthy, but healthy goes beyond what they are doing and dealing with on an everyday basis.
It’s easy to see physically what genetic traits were passed down. If your parents have curly hair and so do you, that’s easy to see. What isn’t so easy to see are conditions and diseases that are passed down.
Many of the most common diseases and conditions are passed down from generation to generation. This is something that many need to think about as you get older. So, when a family member is diagnosed with a disease or told that they have a certain condition, it might come as a surprise, but if you look carefully, someone in the past may have had it.
It’s National Family Health History Day, and we want you to start thinking about your family health history, so let’s get right into it.
What is Family Health History
Let’s start with the basics: what is family health history? According to the CDC, family health history is “the record of the disease and health condition in your family.” Because you and your immediate family members share genes, certain things can and will be passed down. Unfortunately, you don’t have any control over this, but it’s best to know the facts and keep yourself informed. There will surely be factors that affect your health, such as the environment, what you eat, how much you exercise, and more, but some things are hereditary, and that should be taken into consideration
What Do You Know About Your Family History
Every time you visit the doctor, they always ask about your family’s health history because it’s important. So, when it comes to collecting that data, how do you go about doing that? Well, it’s best to start by writing down or drawing your family tree. Start with yourself and work your way up to your grand and great-grandparents. Once you’ve done that, if it’s possible to get their medical records, do just that. Find out the causes of death (if they are deceased), the age of death, and if they had any illnesses or conditions.
The next step would be to have a conversation. Visit your grandparents or call them and ask about your great-grandparents. What was their health like? Did they have any symptoms or conditions that they knew of back then? Then ask your grandparents and parents about their health. Jot all this information down and list all the things that may be hereditary. If you feel that you need to speak to your doctor about any of them, schedule an appointment to see them.
List of questions that you can ask during your conversation
- How old was this relative when they died, and what was the cause of their death?
- Are there any medical problems in the family that I should be aware of?
- What allergies do people have in the family?
- Is there any history of cancer, pregnancy loss, or birth defects in the family?
If you are adopted or don’t know any immediate family, you can always opt for a genetic test. Specific ethnic backgrounds have conditions and diseases that are common. By getting a genetic test, you can identify potential risks you may have inherited.
List of People You Should Ask Questions About
- Birth Mom
- Birth Dad
- Uncles & Aunts
- Siblings
- Grandparents & Great Grandparents
- Adopted Parents (if they have any information)
- Anyone related to you by blood and not married in
Why Should I Know My Family History
Knowing your family health history is important for the benefit of your own health and your children’s health. Many deadly diseases and conditions can be caught and treated on time, especially if there is already a family history. If you don’t know and don’t get checked, you are at a higher risk of getting that disease. So, think about yourself and how you may be able to save yourself from heartache and financial stress if you had your family health history ahead of time.
There may even be some traits that you picked up that can affect your chances of getting certain diseases. You may not be aware of these traits if you don’t ask about them and speak to your doctor. With that being said, make an effort to get in touch with your family and get as much information as you can.
It’s important to note that you may not get all the answers, and that is okay. Just do your best to get as much information as possible.
The Most Common Family Passed Down Conditions and Diseases
There are certain conditions and diseases that are commonly passed down. Here is a list of them, and during your conversation, take the time to ask about them. Older generations may not have known they had it. In that case, you can ask about symptoms and research which symptoms correspond with the conditions or diseases.
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Heart Disease & Blood Clots
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Alzheimer’s & Dementia
- High Blood Pressure & High Cholesterol
- Kidney Disease
- Obesity
Speak To Your Immediate Family Members
In honor is National Family Health History Day, we want you to speak to your immediate family members. Start with the older ones and ask about their health and if there is anything they would like you to know. Make family health history a conversation among your other family members. Encourage them to get tested for any diseases that run in your family or to speak to their doctor about any concerns they have regarding their health.
