Monday, 18 March 2019 15:50

Taking Precautions: 4 Medical Conditions to Research in Your Family History

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If you want to enjoy a good life, it’s imperative to take care of your health first. That said, you must take into consideration how likely you are to suffer from a certain condition.

One of the first steps is to look at your family history. It can show whether you have a high chance of developing a specific ailment. Conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, and coronary heart disease can be passed down through generations, and if your parents have them, chances are you are at risk.

Being at risk doesn’t mean you will experience them, but it’s a sign to take the precautions to prevent them from diminishing the quality of your life.

Keeping Diabetes Under Control

You might be familiar with diabetes, which is a condition that is characterized by high blood sugar. The unusually elevated blood sugar levels result from the pancreas not being able to produce enough insulin to transport sugar inside the cells to be used for energy. Physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, race, and genetics are elements that increase the probability of developing diabetes. If your parents or siblings have it, it’s time for you to do something about it. To keep this condition from taking over your life, which may cause kidney damage and blindness, follow a healthy diet plan that may include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and water. Avoiding sugary drinks and foods is a must.

Managing Glaucoma with Care

Glaucoma is an ailment that may cause blindness if it’s left unchecked. Without early treatment, it can damage the optic nerve if the intraocular pressure increases too much. Accidents, certain diseases, old age, race and family history are risk factors that may lead to suffering from this debilitating condition. What can be done to prevent glaucoma from stealing your eyesight? Know your family history and make an appointment to an eye care center if needed. Then, get an eye exam, which is an effective way to detect the problem in its early stages. If you are at high risk, you can get prescription drops.

Treating Hypertension Early

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a dangerous disease that affects many people. The condition characterized by elevated blood pressure can cause strokes, heart attacks, and even kidney disease. Being overweight, old age, genetics, and family history are among the many factors that contribute to the appearance of the health problem. If your parents have it, you are likely to develop it. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to prevent hypertension from undermining your health. Reducing alcohol and salt intake, doing aerobic exercises, and eating a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables are effective ways to keep that pressure from getting too high.

Paying Attention to Coronary Artery Disease

The blockage of the major blood vessels of the body as a result of plaque deposits is commonly known as coronary artery disease. As you may imagine, it can lead to heart attacks and heart failure. Even though people with a genetic predisposition have a high chance of experiencing the illness, it is commonly related to a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and eating unhealthy food. If you have any of the risk factors, visit your doctor, and ask him about any lifestyle changes that might help you to improve your health.

Checking your family’s history is the first step towards getting back control of your health, not only for you for your children as well. Most conditions can be managed if you take preventive measures. Don’t leave it for later. Do your research and enjoy better health.