Genealogy and Health: Hereditary Genetic Disorders

Did you know discovering your roots can greatly assist in your present day health? Many conditions are hereditary and/or psychosomatic. Knowing and understanding your genealogy can help you diagnose, treat and even avoid these conditions in ourselves and our children. Additionally, knowing your regional heritage and lifestyles is a great help in consuming the proper foods and exercise, and avoiding those that are harmful.

There are many diseases themselves — not just the predisposition — that can be passed on to a child. In addition, because of race, sex or other factors, you may be more likely to have this gene. Many, if not most, of these diseases, such as Tay-Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia and Huntington’s Disease, are terrible, debilitating conditions that no parent would knowingly want to pass on to a child. While most manifest themselves at birth or soon thereafter, Huntington’s Disease does not develop until midlife when a person has already passed the gene on to a child. Woody Guthrie was a victim of the disease as was his mother and two of his daughters.

Knowing our ancestor health, and particularly their cause of death can help us enjoy a healthier,longer and more functional life. Knowing the tendencies and weaker area of our past family, can alert us to areas to improve and habits to avoid.

Worst Things You Can Do for Your Health

Drinking heavily

Eating processed food

Forgoing sunscreen

Having unsafe sex

Leading a sedentary lifestyle

Not flossing

Over medicating

Overuse of antibiotics

Skipping health practitioner’s visit

Smoking

Stressing out

REFERENCE: Worst Things You Can Do for Your Health, 11 Worst Health Hazards, Laura Colarusso, aol body, www.aol.com, March 2008; Source: Tracing Your Health History, It’s In Your Genes, by Donna Przecha, http://www.genealogy.com; Fitness Book of Lists, Marc D Thompson, www.marqthompson.com