Understanding Genetic Disorders
When we think about genetic disorders, we often associate them with conditions that people are born with, like Down syndrome. While many genetic disorders are present at birth, many others don’t develop until later in life, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Learning about genetic disorders and their development can help you identify potential signs and risk factors early, which may help you slow or prevent a condition from developing.
What Are Genetic Disorders?
A genetic disorder is a condition that develops because there is an abnormality in a person’s genetic makeup. Abnormalities can include the change of a single cell, having fewer copies of a gene, or having more copies of a gene.
There are three primary categories of genetic disorders based on a person’s gene abnormality: single-cell disorders, chromosomal disorders, and complex disorders.
Single-Cell Disorders
A single-cell disorder is when an abnormality within a single gene causes the disorder. Many single-cell disorders are lifelong, although treatments are available to ease or slow symptoms. Common single-cell disorders include cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.
Chromosomal Disorders
The body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. A chromosomal disorder is a condition that develops because of abnormalities among one of the chromosomes or chromosome pairs. Chromosomal abnormalities are either numerical or structural. Numerical means a person has too many or not enough chromosomes. A structural abnormality is when there is a genomic rearrangement within a chromosome. Common chromosomal disorders include Down syndrome and Turner syndrome.
Complex Disorders
As the name suggests, complex disorders are more complex than other genetic conditions. Typically, these disorders occur because of various genetic abnormalities. Some abnormalities may come from inherited genes, while others may be from environmental factors.
As you age, complex genetic disorders are often the genetic conditions to be aware of. Common complex disorders include arthritis, coronary artery disease (heart disease), diabetes, and cancer.
Screening For Genetic Disorders
If you have a family history of genetic disorders or want to know if you carry any mutant genetics that put you at risk for something, you can request genetic testing from your doctor. Genetic testing examines blood or tissue for any changes in genetic material.
Many genetic tests are provided earlier in life for expecting parents and newborns who have a high likelihood of genetic disorders. However, older adults can get predictive or predispositional genetic testing to identify the risk of a disease before they start experiencing symptoms. Some tests can also help monitor treatment responses after receiving a genetic condition diagnosis.
While genetic testing is available, doctors don’t always recommend it for older adults, especially those worried about a complex condition like heart disease. Complex conditions often have so many genetic changes that a genetic test would have trouble picking them up.
Visiting Angels Home Care For Genetic Disorders
Living with a genetic condition such as heart disease or cancer can put a toll on you. Instead of trying to navigate your condition alone, let the compassionate team at Visiting Angels step in and help. Our caregivers are trained professionals who can assist with various nonmedical tasks like housekeeping, cooking, medication reminders, transportation, mobility, grooming, and more.
Our Grand Junction office works with seniors in Grand Junction and the surrounding communities. Contact our office to learn more about our at-home care services.