Family Health History
Your genes play an important role in your health, and finding out what medical conditions run in your family is one of the best ways to predict your risk for certain diseases and improve health outcomes for you and your loved ones. If you don’t know a lot about your family’s health history, now is the time to designate yourself as the family historian and start digging! Below are some tips on how to get started:
Begin With You and Your Immediate Family
No one knows your medical history better than you, so start writing down any medical conditions you have or have had, and how old you were when you are diagnosed. Next, gather similar information from your parents and siblings, followed by grandparents, aunts and uncles. Your goal is to go back at least three generations if possible. If your relatives are deceased and their medical history is sketchy or certain records are unavailable, write down the details you can confirm.
If you are adopted, check with the agency or organization that facilitated the adoption to find out what medical records are available. Most domestic adoptions today are open to allow communication between birth and adoptive families, but adoptions prior to the 1980s were more likely to be closed, which may make it difficult for you to obtain your birth information. Genetic testing may shed some light on unanswered questions but make sure to talk with your provider first. Over-the-counter testing kits that use a sample of blood, saliva or a cheek swab to test your DNA are convenient and don’t require a prescription, but the results can be incomplete or confusing to interpret. Your provider may refer you to a genetic counselor for a more comprehensive approach.
Know What Questions to Ask
When talking with family members, it’s important to find out if they or anyone else in the family have (or had) genetic conditions such as down syndrome, cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease, or any chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer. Take note of how old your family members were when they first developed symptoms or were diagnosed. Neurological disorders, mental illness and history of addiction should also be documented. Lastly, record how old your relatives were when they died and their cause of death.
Make Your Family Health History a Living Document
The information you gather should be compiled into a living document that can be updated as needed and is easily accessible to you and other members of your family. The Surgeon General’s online tool, My Family Health Portrait, will help you record your family health history by creating a family tree from the information you enter and giving you the option to download it onto your computer.
Share Your Family History With Your Provider
Filling out medical history forms at the doctor’s office may feel cumbersome and time-consuming, but don’t brush them off. With this information, providers can:
- Identify disease at earlier stages
- Recommend ways to reduce risk, including preventive care and screenings
- Talk with you about genetic predispositions if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, and what that means for your child
Collecting your family history can be a slow process and you may not be able to find all the answers to your questions. Don’t feel discouraged – any information that you can confirm and share with your healthcare provider about your family history is helpful and can make a big difference when it comes to protecting you and your family from future health complications and conditions.
Sources: American Heart Association, National Library of Medicine
Talking about your family history with a trusted primary care clinician can elevate your care and protect your health. Learn more about primary care options with Fairfield Healthcare Professionals.