Family health history is crucial in determining the possible genetic ailments a person could have to deal with. As many studies have shown, the kind of ailments and diseases predominant in a family or line of relatives can also turn up in the following generation. Family members usually have the same kind of habits, similar lifestyle and environment. Since they also share the same kind of genes, families tend to share the same kind of traits. For instance, physical attributes such as hair color and type, body build and even other abilities are passed from parent to the child. The same principle applies for ailments or illnesses predominant in a family. These health complications may be passed onto the offspring given that it is prevalent condition among a number of family members. There are several ailments associated with family health history. Although it’s impossible to prevent the child from inheriting the same type of genes, it’s best to know the kind of ailments that are possible in order to initiate the necessary corrective measures.
There are several vision problems that a child can inherit from their family line. These include nearsightedness, lazy eye and color blindness. Health experts point out that if both parents are nearsighted, there’s a 25 to 50 percent probability that the child will also develop the same condition. On the other hand, it’s the female who carries the gene for color blindness. While they may be transmitters of the gene, only males are known to suffer from such. It is recommended that parents with eye problems have their children checked at an early age. This will help identify the proper solution.
There’s more than a 50 percent probability that children will suffer from migraines if their parents or other relatives do. The probability is still high even if only one parent suffers from the condition. Signs that migraine is inherited appear as early as the age of eight. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and throbbing headache. It’s important to be on the lookout for migraine triggers. These can include several foods such as processed cheese and hot dogs. Overexertion and other physically demanding activities may also trigger migraines.
The probability of eczema developing is the same as with allergies, about 50 percent. However, this kind of inherited disease is not predicted easily. A child can suffer from eczema even though both parents don’t have it. Basically, it’s the allergic tendency that the child inherits, and not the specific allergy. Research points out that familial condition such as divorce may also trigger and enhance the allergy. It’s important to consult with a doctor to develop a prevention routine.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
People are doubly likely to develop IBS if first-degree relatives have the same condition. People with IBS are less apt to tolerate pain than other individuals. Signs that IBS is inherited include colic symptoms, diarrhea and abdominal pain at an early age.
There are other inherited ailments. From heart diseases to kidney conditions, it’s important to be mindful of your family health history to be able to prevent any problems from worsening.