Heredity, the "code" hidden in our genes, determines many of our physiological traits and also affects our health. Certain diseases of parents are likely to "reappear" in their children through genetic means. However, not everyone is clear about which diseases have a strong genetic predisposition.
Xiao Li, a young teacher, recently noticed that her eyesight had deteriorated dramatically, and her eyes often felt dry and tired. After a detailed examination at the hospital, doctors diagnosed her with glaucoma, an eye condition that causes gradual loss of vision.
When the doctor asked about Xiao Li's family history, Xiao Li suddenly realized. It turned out that her father had also been diagnosed with glaucoma many years ago, but she didn't pay much attention to it at the time.
The doctor explained: "Glaucoma is very hereditary. If one of the parents has the disease, the risk of the child is greatly increased. "
Xiao Li asked, "Then what should I do now? Will I go blind? Will my child get this disease in the future?"
"Don't worry too much, although glaucoma is not curable, with early detection and aggressive treatment, we can manage the condition well and delay vision loss," the doctor comforted her. As for genetic problems, although the risk increases, it is not 100%. The most important thing is to have regular check-ups, early detection and early treatment. "
Clinically, we often see diseases that run in families from generation to generation. This reminds us that genetic factors play a non-negligible role in the occurrence and development of many diseases.
In addition to glaucoma, what other diseases can be inherited?
1. Diabetes, if one parent has diabetes, the risk of the child increases. If both parents have the disease, the risk for the child is higher. This is mainly closely related to genes that control blood sugar, insulin secretion, etc.
2. Heart disease also has a clear tendency to cluster in families. If there is a case of early-onset myocardial infarction in the family, the risk of the offspring is significantly increased. This may be related to dyslipidemia, coagulation disorders, etc., caused by certain gene mutations.
3. Some cancers, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, etc., also often show familial clustering. This is often associated with certain hereditary cancer syndromes, such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome caused by mutations in the BRCA gene.
4. Many mental illnesses, such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc., also have a strong genetic predisposition. This may be related to variants in related genes such as neurotransmitters, brain development, and so on.
Of course, we also need to recognize that genetics is only one of the influencing factors of disease. External factors such as environment, lifestyle, and genetic factors interact to determine a person's health.
Just because you're at genetic risk doesn't mean you're going to get it. A reasonable lifestyle, such as a healthy diet, moderate exercise, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, and psychological balance, can greatly reduce the risk of disease.
How do we deal with the genetic risk of disease?
First, understand your family history. If a parent or other close relative suffers from certain diseases, we should be vigilant and have regular check-ups to achieve early detection and early intervention.
Second, we must develop healthy living habits. Many diseases are the result of a combination of genetic factors and poor lifestyle. Even if there is a genetic risk, through a healthy lifestyle, the likelihood of developing the disease can be reduced to a large extent.
Third, we should actively cooperate with the treatment. Once a problem is found, it is necessary to actively treat it under the guidance of a professional doctor to control the progression of the disease. The prognosis of many genetic disorders can be greatly improved if detected early and treated appropriately.
Fourth, for some high-risk groups, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis can be considered. This helps us better understand our genetic risk, make informed reproductive decisions, and reduce the impact of genetic diseases on future generations.
In short, certain diseases of parents may indeed affect the health of their children through hereditary means. This reminds us that we should pay close attention to family medical history and have regular check-ups to detect problems as early as possible. At the same time, we need to recognize that heredity is not fate.
Through a healthy lifestyle, active treatment and prevention, we can fully minimize the risk of disease and enjoy a healthy life.
What do you think about this?