It is important to know what information to include in a family health history when you go to the doctor in order to assess your health risks.
Health conditions that go back three generations should be known as much as possible. Parents, siblings, and grandparents should be the most important to understand, but cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces should also be understood. The family health history will contain information about diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Make sure to also catch information about mental health conditions and substance misuse disorders.
Ask at least these three questions next time you visit Woodlands Diagnostic Clinic for a more in-depth look into your health options:
- Does family health history affect my health risks in the future?
Although your family’s health history is extremely helpful to doctors, this doesn’t always mean you will fall under the same category or diagnosis as other family members. Family health history helps in future care for yourself and your immediate family as well. Discuss any present or future health risks with your doctor based on your health history. - How can I go about lowering any future health risks?
Doctors at Woodlands Diagnostics Clinic will give personalized guidance on how one can help lower their health risks. In many cases, chronic disease prevention and health risk reduction can be guided by the health history of the family. - When should I schedule a follow-up appointment?
It’s easier to follow up with a doctor when one knows about the health risks that exist. Learn how to recognize certain health conditions by their signs and symptoms. People can have peace of mind by being informed and prepared, especially if there is a history of significant health conditions within the family.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Doctor
The health benefits of making regular appointments with your physician – and not only when you are feeling under the weather – cannot be overstated. Annual physicals and screening appointments are crucial for identifying life-altering medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease early when treatment is more likely to succeed. The screening tests your physician orders will vary depending on your age, gender, and overall health.
Woodlands Diagnostic Clinic is an internal and family medicine practice providing compassionate, high-quality patient-centered care at our conveniently located medical clinic in Shenandoah, Texas. Our physicians are committed to optimizing the health and well-being of patients through preventive care and diagnostic care. To schedule a checkup or another appointment, please contact us today!
