2023-10-09 11:56:26
Oman- Aside from talking about politics and raising social issues at family gatherings, have you ever thought about talking about health, specifically the medical history of anyone related to you by blood, and who could affect your health?
In fact, genetics and habits may play a role. You are more susceptible to diseases and health complications that run in the family, as having at least one first-degree relative with a disease may double your risk of contracting it.
Therefore, knowing your family’s medical history gives you and your doctor a better idea of what may happen to you, according to experts.
Families have similar genetic backgrounds and often similar environments and lifestyles (pixels)
Medical record
For his part, general medicine and surgery specialist Dr. Thamer Al-Sharifin defines family medical history as the medical record of all health information related to the person and his relatives.
The medical history includes medical information from 3 generations of relatives, including children, brothers and sisters, parents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and grandfathers and grandmothers.
He said in an interview with Al Jazeera Net that families have similar genetic backgrounds, environments, and lifestyles in many cases. Together, these factors can provide clues to pathological conditions that may exist in the family, by observing patterns of disorders among relatives and individuals.
Health care professionals can determine whether an individual, family members, or future generations are at increased risk of developing a particular condition, according to the same speaker.
Al-Sharafin: Medical history provides the family with information about the risk of rare conditions resulting from mutations (Al-Jazeera)
The importance of family medical history
The honorable specialist says that the importance of family medical history lies in identifying people who have a higher than usual chance of developing common disorders, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and some types of cancer such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and type 2 hyperglycemia.
He adds that these complex disorders are influenced by a combination of genetic factors, environmental conditions, and lifestyle choices.
Family history can also provide information about the risk of rare conditions caused by variants (mutations) in a single gene, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and bleeding disorders.
Although family medical history provides information about the risks of specific health concerns, having relatives with a condition does not mean that an individual will definitely develop that condition, according to Al-Sharifain.
On the other hand, Al-Sharifain points out that a person who does not have a family history of the disorder may still be at risk of developing the disorder. So knowing your family health history allows a person to take steps to reduce their risks.
Akl: Knowing your medical history before marriage is considered the first line of defense for securing and preserving the family (Al Jazeera)
Frequent checks
For people at increased risk of certain cancers, health care professionals recommend frequent age-specific screenings, such as mammograms or colonoscopies, starting at an early age, Al-Sharifain says.
Health care providers also encourage regular screenings or testing for people with a genetic condition in their family.
In addition, lifestyle changes such as following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and quitting smoking help many people reduce their chances of developing heart disease and other common diseases.
Al-Sharifain stresses that the easiest way to obtain information about a family’s health history is to talk to relatives about their health (did they face any health problems? When did they occur?), and a family gathering may be the appropriate time to discuss these issues.
In addition, obtaining medical records and other documents (such as obituaries and death certificates) can help complete the family’s health history. It is important to keep this information updated and share it with health care professionals regularly.
Your Family Medical History is the Cheapest Genetic Test You Can Get (Pixels)
First line of defense
In turn, family consultant Dr. Mounir Akl says that knowing the medical history is not only to help the person himself, but it can be used to alert other family members to the possibility of them contracting certain diseases, and he confirms that knowing the medical history is invaluable in emergency situations, as it helps the doctor diagnose and treat appropriately. Faster and more accurate.
Aql added, “We must emphasize that knowing the medical history before marriage is considered the first line of defense for securing and preserving the family. If any of its members becomes ill with a disease, it will negatively affect the happiness and stability of this new entity.”
He believes that despite the presence of a family medical history, “it is recommended that the two parties about to marry undergo certain tests, such as tests to detect thalassemia, hepatitis, AIDS, and some genetic and infectious diseases.”
The importance of this type of examination lies in assessing the health status of all parties before marriage, according to Dr. Akl, “Marriage is a state of agreement and harmony between two people in the health, psychological and social aspects, resulting in a healthy family and the birth of healthy children.”
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