Many people today are able to understand the different disease that run in their families and how to act on them. Some diseases that are genetically passed down can be detected early because of this knowledge from family members in the past. A person’s family medical history is extremely important because, it can sometimes predict what diseases are more likely to happen in certain people and their families.
One of the diseases that runs in my family is high blood pressure that then results in strokes. When I was thirteen years old my grandpa passed away after having a stroke when he was sixty-five years old. He had a history of high blood pressure and was on medication for it. This disease can be genetic however, you can also receive it from a poor diet and little exercise. Since this disease runs in my family we have to make sure we are taking care of our bodies and watching what we are eating. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel is completely clogged and blood cannot pace through to get to the brain or other organs. One of the most affected organs during a stroke is the brain. If the brain receives a loss of blood flow it can cause severe neural damage. If someone survives a stroke but has brain damage they may have to relearn things such as how to eat, talk, walk, etc. It also greatly affects other important organs because the blood is not pumping accurately. Some of the risk factors a person may have that could lead to a stroke include: poor diet, high blood pressure, little or no exercise, and several other different factors. To avoid strokes and maintain a healthy life style a person should exercise, eat healthy, have yearly doctor check-ups, and overall, stay healthy. A stroke can be treated if it is caught in the early stage. There are different ways to know if a person is having a stroke. They will show different signs that indicate it. Noticing these signs immediately and calling an ambulance is the first step to saving a person who is having a stroke. If a person then survives the stroke they will receive rehab so they are able relearn those things such as walking, talking, or eating.
Another disease that runs in my family is diabetes. My aunt has Type One Diabetes and was diagnosed as a kid. She has had Type One Diabetes her whole life. Diabetes occurs when a person’s body is not producing any or very little insulin for the body. This can affect all parts of the body especially, if it is not getting the sugars which can result in the body not getting glucose to the cells. This disease is genetic but, can also be received if a person’s diet and health is poor. Overall, this can extremely affect a person’s health. If someone’s body does not produce insulin then the person has to find a treatment or the body will not survive. Most people now a day have insulin pumps that they can wear on their pants. It holds the insulin and is pumped into their body when needed. Also, people with diabetes need to be aware of where their blood sugar is at and how much insulin they need. Another way people with diabetes can receive insulin is with shots. A person who has diabetes has to be extremely aware of their diet and overall health. They are more prone to certain risk factors if they do not take care of their condition. Drinking alcohol or doing drugs can make a diabetic person’s condition worse. A diabetic person must maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain their health more than the average person. If this is not done it can increase a person’s risk factors, and decrease their overall health.
On my mother’s side of the family we also have a risk of dementia that runs in our family. My great grandma has Alzheimer’s and is currently in a memory care facility. She is doing great however, she is very forgetful and remembers more from the past than the present. Luckily, she still remembers all of us in the family. Alzheimer’ is characterized by a person not remembering recent memories such as a phone call or plans for lunch. My grandmother repeats herself several times and sometimes can become very confused. This disease is genetic and can be passed down through many generations. Brain exercises can help improve a person’s memory and brain. The brain is the number one area that is affected by this disease. That is where the disease begins and continues as the disease gets worse. This disease can begin to affect other areas of the body as it continues to get worse. A person with dementia may forget to take their medications, eat, or even shower. This can result in an increase in risk factors in a person’s overall health. If someone forgets to eat they may begin to lose weight and become more fragile. If they forget to take their medication or overdose, it can also greatly affect their body as well. As dementia gets worse it becomes harder for the person to take care of themselves. Usually people with dementia are placed in assisted living so these risk factors do not have to become a serious issue. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s (dementia) but, there are ways to improve a person’s condition such as exercise of the body and mind, and maintaining a good diet and routine.
One of the genetic diseases that runs in family that was passed down to me is anxiety. My dad not only has regular anxiety but, he also has PTSD from an accident at work. There are obviously several different types of anxiety. My family’s anxiety disorder is the basic and generalized anxiety that is common now a day for people, especially my age, to have. Anxiety is the constant fear or worry that something bad could always happen or will happen to a person. A person can receive this disorder if it is in their genetic history. This disorder can mainly affect the brain and how the person may be thinking or feeling emotionally. It is a neurological disorder that can become very serious if not treated appropriately. Sometimes anxiety disorders can also lead to other disorders such as depression, phobias, etc. A person’s overall health can be characterized unhealthy if they are not treated for an anxiety disorder or if it leads to those other neurological disorders. Usually this disorder can be treated with a medication prescribed by a doctor. Other home methods that can help with anxiety could include breathing exercises, meditation, relaxations methods, and much more.
Another disease that runs in my family is colon cancer. My great grandpa passed away after he battled colon cancer for a long time. This disease runs on my dad’s side of the family so instead of every ten years, my dad goes every five years for a colonoscopy. Since the doctors know there is a history of colon cancer in my family, they take precautions and check my dad more often. Colon cancer is cancer that is shown in polyps on the inside of a person’s colon. Colon cancer not only affects the colon but, it can also affect other organs if the cancer were to spread to other areas of the body. Colon cancer can be passed down through genetics in a family. However, a person’s diet, weight, exercise amount, and other factors play a role in this as well. If someone does not take care of their body, they are more likely to get diseases such as cancer. In order to lower the chances of getting cancer a person can exercise, eat healthier, and take care of their body. This condition can be treated in several different ways. If it is removable a doctor can perform a surgery to remove the cancer. Other ways of treatment may include radiation, chemotherapy, and other ways to shrink it and eventually get rid of it.
There are many other diseases that run in my family or have been passed down through the generations. It is our job as humans to take care of our bodies and maintain good health. By doing so we can try to lower our chances of getting different genetic diseases that our ancestors had in the past.