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Family history is by far the most important piece of information that you can give to your family doctor. It should be remembered that each of us have two sides to our family and that the genes we have are coming not just from our parents but also from both sets of Grandparents.

A Major problem here is the fact the most people are not aware of their family history never mind their family medical history. This is a problem even if you are from the city or the country - in my part of the world medical problems are just not talked about - and these are just the physical problems. God forbid that there should be a history of mental illness or depression that will never be spoken about again. It is a taboo subject and will not be mentioned even between spouses or between the patient and Doctor ever again after the first time. Not ever. This information will never be passed on to children or siblings.

My husband did not have any idea about his family medical history and to tell the truth he did not want to know either. However, when we were first married I had a number of chats with his Mum and talked about various times family members were hospitalised etc., I learned a lot about both sides of his families history. Those chats were over 32 years ago but they have saved my husband a heart attack and possible death.

Now because we have two Sons we can pass on the new medical history from their Dad with evidence that his condition has plagued his Mothers family for generations. They can now initiate consultations with Specialists and take the best advise on how to handle their potential problem.

While they both face a series of tests and a possible chance of repeated tests as they get older, they are glad to have the opporunity to come to terms with the possibility, that in the future they will face the exact same problem that their Dad is dealing with today. On the other hand they may (as my Son pointed out have the genes from the other side of the family) and never have a need to worry.

However, my Husbands siblings now face the possibility that they are all potential canditates for the same Surgery and they face a number of weeks or months or worry.

I would recommend to all new Parents - First find out about your family medical history and also about your spouse's family medical history - let it be the good, the bad and the ugly - becuase you need it all.

Learn more about this author, Joy Sunday.
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