The Importance of a Family Medical History Tree

[Sheldon Hudson]

Few people have medical knowledge about their parents and siblings'
health conditions, much less their past or present treatment.
Clinicians are more interested in family medical histories now than in
the past as medical science continues to discover the genetic links to
various diseases.
The more complete your personal and family medical history, the more
clues you provide to your clinicians as you help them piece together
your story in order to make diagnoses.
A Medical History Family Tree will assist you and your health care
team in the following ways:
' Helping to make a diagnosis (most obvious) ' Assessing your risk of
developing conditions other family members have ' Determining
important tests to monitor for those conditions ' Determining
lifestyle habits that are right for you. ' Identifying risk factors of
other family members ' Determining your risk of passing a condition(s)
to your offspring
By talking with your siblings and parents, you can share information
you've learned about conditions you all have in common. You may even
discover symptoms you've ignored that need attention. If your family
is not used to sharing health-related information, as you initiate the
conversation, be sensitive in your approach. Explain what you are
doing and why - that sharing information could lead to timelier and
more accurate diagnoses. Offer to share the compiled information with
them once it is completed. Ask how they'd lie to share their
information - in a discussion in person or on the phone or in answer
to questions much like a survey.
Include the following in your discussion or survey: ' Diseases and
illnesses, both physical and psychological - the age each occurred '
Birth-related problems, such as infertility, birth defects, infant
deaths, physical and mental disabilities ' Headaches, asthma,
allergies and other respiratory conditions ' Diet, exercise, smoking
and drinking habit (realizing these may be sensitive subjects they may
choose not to discuss)
Get in touch with family members and learn about each other's health.
You owe it to yourself and your family.