Learning your family’s full medical history can be your wellness secret weapon. This is exactly what you need to know—and why.
When doctors chat you up about the health of your relatives, they’re seeking clues about how they should treat you today—and in the future. We asked six MDs what perks up their ears—and what you can do if you discover you have a family history of any of the following diseases. Here, an ob-gyn, dermatologist, cardiologist, internist, osteoporosis specialist, and GI doctor each weigh in on the family health issues they recommend their patients be aware of.
Must-know family history: Osteoporosis and hip fractures. If Mom or Dad had a hip fracture, your risk of having a broken bone increases by up to 50 percent, and your risk of having a hip fracture doubles. Bone density is largely genetic, so if your family has “weak” bones, you may, too.
What you can do: Make sure you’re consuming enough calcium and vitamin D. Maintain a strength-training regimen, which bolsters bones and helps you avoid falls later. All women age 65 or older should have a bone density screening, but go earlier (at menopause) if you’re in a high-risk family.
Must-know family history: Inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, as well as colon polyps and cancer. Up to 20 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer have a family history.
What you can do: Take digestive symptoms seriously and bring them up with your doctor. For example, if you notice blood in your stool, it’s likely hemorrhoids, but you’ll be evaluated more closely if you have relatives with colon cancer. Beyond that, keep your gut healthy by eating more plants, boosting your fiber intake, and limiting red meat, and get your exercise.
Must-know family history: Strokes or heart attacks, particularly if a relative died prematurely of heart disease(before age 65 for women and before 55 for men). Also, know exactly what the condition was—there’s a difference between a heart attack and sudden cardiac death, for example. High blood pressure and high cholesterol, both heart disease risk factors, also run in families.