Family history (medicine)
Family history (medicine)
Family history in medicine refers to the medical history of the patient's biological relatives. It is an essential part of a patient's medical history and is used by medical professionals to assess the risk of certain diseases.
Pronunciation
Family history: /ˈfæmɪli ˈhɪstəri/
Etymology
The term "family history" comes from the Latin words "familia" meaning household and "historia" meaning history. In the medical context, it was first used in the late 19th century to refer to the medical histories of a patient's relatives.
Related Terms
- Genetic disorder: A disease caused by abnormalities in an individual's genome. Family history is often used to assess the risk of genetic disorders.
- Heredity: The passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another. Family history is a practical application of the principles of heredity in medicine.
- Pedigree chart: A diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance of phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors from one generation to the next. It is often used to track family history in medical genetics.
Importance of Family History in Medicine
Family history is important in medicine because it can provide clues about how likely it is that a patient will develop certain conditions. For example, if a patient's family history includes multiple relatives with heart disease, the patient may be at a higher risk of developing heart disease themselves. Similarly, a family history of certain types of cancer can indicate a higher risk of those cancers.
Family history can also be important in diagnosing conditions that may not have obvious symptoms. For example, some genetic disorders can be difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone, but if a patient has a family history of the disorder, it can help guide the diagnosis.
Limitations of Family History in Medicine
While family history is a valuable tool in medicine, it also has limitations. Not all diseases are hereditary, and a clean family history does not guarantee that a patient will not develop a disease. Additionally, family history relies on accurate reporting by the patient, which may not always be possible.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Family history (medicine)
- Wikipedia's article - Family history (medicine)
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