Many illnesses are hereditary. Knowing the medical history of your family could save your life or the life of someone you love.
Families share many things such as love, happiness, hope, sorrow and memories but unfortunately they may also share illness. Many diseases are hereditary and can be passed down from parent to child. In some cases, disease may skip a generation and although one's children may not be afflicted, the grandchildren may suffer the effects of illness. According to Diseases of the Human Body, Second Edition, hereditary diseases are the result of a person's genetic makeup and do not always appear at birth. Some conditions may go undetected well into adulthood. A gene is the basic unit of heredity. Diseases of the Human Body, Second Edition, states that changes in the structure of genes called mutations can cause disturbances in the body. Mutations occur when the normal sequence of DNA units is disrupted. The cause of such a disruption is largely unknown although environmental factors are to be considered.

There are several diseases that can be inherited such as cancer, Parkinson's disease, heart disease and diabetes. Many mental and emotional disorders are hereditary also such as schizophrenia, altzheimers and even alcoholism. Although a person may be predisposed to these disorders due to family history, other factors may play a role such as environmental and social effects. Genetic defects that run in families can be responsible for a host of ailments both physical and mental. Both mental retardation and suicidal tendencies are more apt to be a probability in families with a history of such conditions. If a high incidence of an illness runs in the family, children should be tested at the earliest convenience. When seeing a new physician it is required that you fill out a family history form and you should be certain to list any family illnesses that you are aware of. This information could be vital in preventing a hereditary condition from worsening by allowing prompt testing and

It is not always possible to know of health conditions that may exist in a family. For instance, I know that heart disease and diabetes are conditions that affected my mother and other members of her family but because I never knew my father, I have no idea what health problems may have existed in his family. My husband inherited some of the same health conditions his mother had. By the time his health problems were discovered, his body had already sustained irreversible damage. If those health conditions had been detected earlier, a worsening of the problems may have been prevented. With advances in medicine, there are some tests that are fairly accurate in determining who may be at risk or prone to certain health conditions. If hereditary risks are known, preparations can be made to prevent or treat possible future conditions that may be detrimental to one's health and well being.

When my son was in the hospital with appendicitis, his physician had him tested for the conditions of diabetes and heart disease that I had listed on his family history form. These health conditions are found in both mine and his father's family. By being aware of the predisposed health risks, the physician was better able to be prepared to treat his patient for possible complications. People may tend to get irritated when confronted with a small stack of forms to fill out but it really is in the best interest of the patient. Being informed is the first step to being prepared.

About the Author

Darlene Zagata is a freelance writer and poet. Her work has appeared in several electronic and print publications. Darlene is the Editor of the Health department at RITRO.com and she co-authors a column with her son at RaisingASon.com. She is also a Review Editor for MyShelf.com and an Editorial Reviewer for The Writer's Room Magazine. Her book of poetry "Aftertaste" is now available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Her first book of fiction, "The Choosing" is currently in the process of publication.