Genetic Conditions To Know
How well do you know your family health history? It may not be the easiest conversation, but understanding genetic conditions affecting your loved ones can better prepare you for your future health journey.
What Is A Genetic Condition?
A genetic condition or genetic disorder develops because of an abnormality in someone’s genetic makeup. There are three categories of genetic disorders:
- A single-gene disorder occurs when a mutation affects only one gene. Common single-gene disorders include sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis.
- Chromosomal disorders happen when someone is born with more or less than 23 pairs of chromosomes. Down syndrome is a common chromosomal disorder.
- Complex disorders are genetic mutations caused by a mix of genetics and environmental factors, such as smoking, inactivity, and air pollution. Common complex disorders include various types of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
People are often born with single-gene disorders and chromosomal abnormalities. Complex disorders are the conditions you should be most aware of as you age because they can develop over time and in response to your environment.
Common Genetic Conditions
Most of the time, when we talk about genetic conditions as you age, we talk about complex genetic disorders. Knowing what complex genetic conditions affect your family is essential because being related to someone with a genetic condition increases your risk for that disease. Knowing about potential diseases that could affect your health can help inform you on preventative measures to keep yourself healthy.
- Cancer- Many cancers are complex genetic conditions, including breast, bowel, and prostate.
- Heart Disease- Many forms of heart disease can have genetic markers. Additional risk factors include high blood pressure, previous heart attacks, and smoking.
- Diabetes- Type 2 diabetes is most common to develop with age, in part because of genetics, but also because of inactivity, diet, and high blood sugar.
- Osteoporosis- This condition weakens the bones and is common among people with a family history of osteoporosis. Additional risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol use, diet, and physical inactivity.
- Depression- Genetic conditions can affect your mental health. People with a family history of depression are at high risk for this serious mood disorder.
Talking To A Loved One About Their Health
It’s important to know about genetic conditions within your immediate family because, often, having a relative with a genetic condition increases your risk of that condition. But talking about health concerns can be tricky, especially if someone is not generally open to sharing their vulnerabilities. Consider these tips if you have trouble starting health conversations with your family.
- Express why you want to know. When starting a conversation about a loved one’s health, open the discussion with why it’s important for you to know. Help your loved one understand that knowing about their health conditions can better prepare you to find and treat problems earlier.
- Ask open-ended questions. Open-ended questions help ignite a dialogue. You can ask, “What health conditions run in our family?” or “How have you been feeling about your health?” The questions don’t have to be directly related to genetic conditions but can be general health questions to help your loved one feel comfortable.
- Don’t push them to share more than they’re willing to. If your loved one shares that they have a condition, you may feel inclined to ask follow-up questions. However, if your loved one is uncomfortable, don’t push them to open up about treatments or anything until they're ready.
Help From Visiting Angels
If you’re a senior with a genetic condition that makes it difficult to care for yourself, the team at Visiting Angels is here to help. We offer various at-home care services to help seniors age in place safely. Each care service is customizable to meet the needs of each client and may include assistance with mobility, transportation, medication reminders, personal grooming, and more.
Contact our Portage, Ohio, office to learn more about our at-home care services.