Introduction
Family members have numerous factors in common including lifestyle, environment, and genes. The understanding of all these factors can present a reliable clue on any medical condition that could be running down the family. Family medical history is a record of health information regarding individuals and their family. A comprehensive family medical history must contain health information from at least three generations. The history must as well include health information from other family members including cousins, grandparents, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, sisters, parents, brothers, and children (Qureshi, Bethea, Modell, Brennan, Papageorgiou, Raeburn, Hapgood and Modell, 2005). The understanding of the family genetic history is also incredibly essential in determining the most affective measure to take in protecting the spread of the identified disease. In order to understand the role and importance of family genetic history, the subsequent study will analyse the family genetic history of YT and present appropriate intervention measures of protecting the trend.
Family member description
Evaluation of the family genetic history
In the light of the above analysis of the family genetic history, it is clear that some health complications are transferrable from one generation to the other. The family under study has been suffering from severe heart complications. These complications are spread throughout the family tree and from one generation to another. The adult participant grandfather died because of hypertension. At present, the participant is suffering from severe hypertension. The adult participant child is also suffering from same healthcare complication. Almost everyone in the family is also suffering from either major or minor lung infections or heart complications.
It is therefore factual to conclude that although some health complications are as a result of various internal and environmental factors, genes plays a very essential role in facilitating the transfer of healthcare complications from one generation to another. Family medical history also helps in the identifications of individuals who have higher chances of having the identified common disorder. These complex disorders are therefore due to a combination of various environmental factors, genetic factors, and individuals’ lifestyles. In addition, genetic family history is also essential in providing information on unique family conditions.
Planning for future wellness
The understanding of family medical history gives an opportunity for an individual to take the most effective measures in reducing the identified health complications. In the case under study, family members should ensure that they submit themselves to consistent screening and diagnosis for hypertension and other lung and heart complications (McIntosh, et al., 2004). Children at this family should therefore start screening at an early stage to protect serious health complications. Regular checks up on family especially amongst family members with serious health complications are also very essential and critical. Change of lifestyles such as adopting healthier lifestyles, quitting smoking, and regular exercises may help in lowering the development of lung and heart diseases. New born should also be informed on the important of engaging in consistent talks with relatives in order to understand the family health condition. Family gathering can also be very essential in the prevention of family related health complications. Evaluation of family medical history can also assist in the reduction of genetic health complications.
References
McIntosh A, Shaw C, Evans G, Turnball N, Bahar N, Barclay M. (2004). Clinical Guidelines and Evidence Review for the Classification and Care of Women at Risk of Familial Breast Cancer. National Institute for Clinical Excellence Clinical Guideline 14. London: National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care/University of Sheffield; 2004.
Qureshi N, Bethea J, Modell B, Brennan P, Papageorgiou A, Raeburn JA, Hapgood R and Modell M.(2005) Collecting genetic information in primary care: evaluating a new family history tool. Family Practice, 2, 22: 663–669.
