If you knew you were more likely to develop future health problems, would you take preventive measures to lessen the chances of developing the condition or its severity? Although it might seem impossible to predict what our future holds in terms of health, the biggest indicator could be the past.
“Learning about your family’s medical history can help you partner with your path to better health,” said Marc S. Williams, MD, director of the Genomic Medicine Institute at Geisinger Health System.
Determining which health conditions are common in a family line can be difficult and confusing. Geisinger Medical Center recommends the following:
- Talk to your family: Your family is the biggest source of information about health conditions you might be most susceptible to. Your parents are the best place to start. If they are no longer living, older relatives are a great alternative.
- Have the conversation: It can be an uncomfortable talk to have, but it’s important. You can even reach out to family members individually, so you can get multiple sources for determining your family health history. If bringing up family health history in person makes you uncomfortable, you can send surveys for family members to complete.
- Look at family ancestry resources: While it likely will require asking around, your family might already have the information needed for research. A family historian might have family listings or trees that can help trace conditions back to family members.
- Create a family health tree: When gathering information, it is best to create a family tree to keep track of health problems that run in the family. For more information on how to create a family tree, visit My Family Health Portrait, a great, free resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Talk to your health care provider: Your health care provider is the best person with whom to discuss the results of your family health history. A doctor can determine the best course of treatment and preventive measures to offset the chance of developing a condition.