If there are these three diseases in the family, they may be passed on to the children from generation to generation!
On a day full of joy, Xiao Li and her husband welcomed their long-awaited baby. However, this joy was soon shattered by an unexpected diagnosis report – their child was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. What's even more shocking is that the disease was passed down from Xiao Li's grandfather from generation to generation, and before that, no one in the family was aware of the possibility of such inheritance.
This story is not isolated. With the advancement of technology, more and more families are becoming aware of the risks of genetic diseases, especially those that may be passed on from generation to generation. For young people who are about to get married, it's more important than ever to know their and their partner's family medical history. Sometimes, the genetic code hides the health code between future generations, and this information can affect the quality of life of their future children.
This article aims to delve into the conditions that can be passed on to children from generation to generation, so let's demystify genetics together, understand how it affects our lives, and how we can best protect the health and well-being of our future generations by understanding and preparing for it.
The science of intergenerational heredity is revealed
Generational inheritance is a phenomenon that causes diseases to be quietly passed on in families, often catching people off guard. Put simply, intergenerational inheritance means that certain genetic traits or diseases may skip one generation and be passed directly from grandparents to grandchildren. The science behind this involves the inheritance of dominant and recessive genes. The traits of dominant genes can be manifested even if there is only one copy, whereas recessive genes require two copies to be revealed. Thus, if a recessive genetic disorder is recessive in one parent, they may not show symptoms themselves, but it is possible to pass on the recessive gene to the next generation, so that the symptoms will manifest in the grandchildren.
Genetic Disease Observation Glass: Three major diseases that are easily inherited from one generation to the next
The heart is calling: hereditary heart disease
Hereditary heart disease, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is typically a generational inherited disorder. The transmission of these conditions in families may be discontinuous, making prediction more difficult. Genetic testing for family members allows for early identification of risks and preventive measures such as lifestyle changes and regular heart monitoring.
Alarm of abnormal glucose metabolism
Abnormal glucose metabolism, especially type 2 diabetes, shows significant familial clustering. If someone in the family has the disease, the risk of the disease is relatively high. Key preventive measures include maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and regular blood sugar checks, all of which can help reduce the genetic risk of the disease.
Hypertension: insidious familial genetic signals
Elevated blood pressure in the systemic arteries, commonly known as hypertension, is genetically predisposed to run in families. While lifestyle and environmental factors play an important role in the development of hypertension, genetic factors should not be ignored either. If a family history shows a predisposition to hypertension, appropriate lifestyle modifications and regular blood pressure monitoring are important.
Must-do homework before marriage: genetic disease risk assessment
Before planning to get married and start a family, conducting a risk assessment for genetic diseases is a crucial preparation. This involves not only collecting a family health history, but may also include genetic counseling and genetic testing. Knowing your own and your partner's genetic background can help predict the genetic risks that future offspring may face.
Collect a family health history: Keep a detailed record of all health conditions that occur in the family, especially the diseases discussed above.
Professional genetic counseling: If there is a genetic disorder in your family history, it is wise to seek professional advice from a genetic counselor. Genetic counseling can help assess genetic risks and provide advice on how to manage those risks.
Consider genetic testing: Genetic testing can provide more specific information about genetic risk, especially if there is a clear predisposition to genetic disorders in the family.
Practical tips
The collection of family health histories should be carried out not only for immediate family members, but also for the wider family members.
Be open and honest when conducting genetic risk assessments. Understanding the potential genetic risk allows for better preparation for possible future challenges.
Work closely with medical professionals to ensure accurate assessments and appropriate guidance.
In this way, we are not only able to better understand the risk of genetic diseases that may exist in the family, but also be able to take preventive measures to create a healthier future for the next generation.