How to understand your genetic predisposition to common diseases

What is the genetic predisposition to suffer from diseases?

The genetic predisposition is that one probability of suffering from a disease , or a specific one, in an individual. The truth is that, traditionally, these types of relationships were established empirically, by observing how the phenotype between parents and offspring or collaterals had common elements.

And the same thing happened with diseases. When a family had an exceptionally high incidence of heart disease, diabetes, or breast cancer, a relationship could obviously be inferred. What happens now is that, with the genetic studies , a can be given a much more accurate figure . And this, obviously, improves diagnoses, but also possible treatments.

Now, we must make it clear that predisposition does not necessarily equate to suffer from the disease . There is, indeed, a higher probability, but these are not considered congenital diseases. This is a very important nuance, given that, with healthy habits and early detection, the consequences and incidence can be reduced.

Genetic predispositions are, therefore, an interesting guideline for understanding our conditions. Obviously, the earlier the tests are done, the better, and it could also be done at the supervised childhood .

How can you know your genetic predisposition to diseases?

First of all, you have to apply common sense: if in your family There is a history of certain diseases such as diabetes type 1, breast or ovarian cancer, or hypertension, your chances of having them increase significantly. Therefore, it would be time to take a look if there is hereditary patterns .

Now, and this is very important, the predisposition is not only hereditary . And, at this point, you should know that you can have it for multitude of factors different, At this point, it will be a good idea to know them well because there are many that you may not be aware of.

The solution, in this case, is a genetic test. It must be applied to the individual if one wants to know their predisposition. There is also the possibility of taking a genetic test. genetic compatibility Preventive, if you plan to have children. It's essential to decide which trusted laboratory can adapt to your needs and guarantee traceability.

In any case, there are several types of genetic tests that allow us to determine if there is a genetic predisposition to diseases. For example, a marker test serves as a reference. We'll tell you how to do it:

Sampling

The taking of the sample It can be of blood or saliva , depending on the type of test and the laboratory. Although in both cases it should work perfectly, if you opt for the buccal smear (saliva), you have to do it with enough force for the sample to be useful. And, either way, you also have to make sure the sample is safe to ship and that it won't degrade.

Markers to be studied

Most genetic predisposition tests study Numerous markers . However, in most cases, they are grouped by disease type. For example, certain fungal infectious diseases can be detected globally; the same is true for different types of cancer ( 17 hereditary ) or viral infections. More generic tests also exist.

Shipping time

He shipping time This is another factor to consider, and it will depend on the case. Obviously, the more urgent the situation, the more important the deadline will be. It should be noted that deadlines can range from 3 days for the simplest to 8 weeks for the most complex. However, an approximate guideline is between 4 and 6 weeks for most cases.

Cost of the test

He cost of the test This is another element to consider. And here we must say that prices vary substantially depending on the complexity of the test. For example, the simplest tests cost approximately 129 euros, while the most expensive ones cost 900 euros. It is true, however, that prices have recently dropped significantly.

What should I do if I have a genetic predisposition to diseases?

A genetic predisposition isn't a curse; that's something to be clear about. And when you take this test, you should approach it in a positive way. That said, there are some guidelines you can follow to avoid major problems:

• Medical follow-up: A predisposition to illness is a warning light that tells you to be more careful. And getting regular medical tests to monitor certain variables is the right thing to do. This applies to blood tests, but also to routine exams. It's a good idea to share this information with your doctor so you can have regular, specific follow-up care tailored to your circumstances.
• Healthy habits: Healthy habits are always good and recommended, but here they take on a broader dimension. Avoiding alcohol, exercising aerobically, eating healthy, and avoiding fats are all elements that will help you. Also, reducing exposure to pollutants as much as possible is vital. All of these elements are vital to reducing the likelihood of disease occurring.
• Adapt your pace of life: Stress is one of the biggest illnesses in our daily lives, because abnormally high cortisol levels are harmful to our bodies. A calm and happy life, or at least one without more shocks than necessary, will also help.

With all of this, you can reduce your chances of developing these diseases, or minimize their effects if you do. What's more, you'll live with greater peace of mind. Although we can't control everything 100%, we can do something to improve our quality of life.

In summary…

Genetic predisposition contributes to the likelihood of developing diseases, yes, but since it's not a determining factor, environmental factors can influence this. And, obviously, the more information you have, the easier it will be for you to make decisions. At Genotica, we offer numerous genetic tests for a multitude of diseases, so you can compare and purchase the one you prefer. Contact us . to find out more!