Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is an age-related disease in which bone density is reduced and there is a risk of fractures. This disease affects mainly women, and heredity is one of the important risk factors. Osteoporosis begins to appear after menopause; the bones lose calcium and become brittle during this period.
Disease Prevention:
High calcium foods should be present in your daily diet, but remember that vitamin D is necessary for its absorption, and it is produced in sunlight. Consult with your doctor and ask him to pick vitamin supplements, and do not forget about fresh air and exercise. Do not smoke, it is a bad habit that reduces the body's ability to absorb calcium and leads to a decrease in bone density. Refuse sweet soda: these drinks increase the risk of hip fracture by 14%. Keep track of weight and exercise. People from 19 to 64 years are recommended aerobic exercise for 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 min) of per week and muscle exercises to strengthen all major muscle groups: legs, hips, back, stomach, chest, arms, and shoulders - twice a week.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The causes of the disease are unknown, but scientists suggest that joint damage is due to impaired immune systems in people with a hereditary predisposition.
Disease Prevention:
Give up smoking, excessive consumption of coffee and red meat.
Take a good care of your oral cavity and do not miss scheduled dentist examinations. Periodontal gum disease may play a role in the rheumatoid arthritis development.
Include foods that are high in vitamin C. This antioxidant reduces the inflammatory condition risk in the body.
Premature aging
Scientists have discovered a set of genes that are responsible for our youth. They are maternally passed from generation to generation. There is a chance to inherit damaged DNA; in this case the aging process will occur faster. The scientists have not figured out how to turn back the clock yet, but it is necessary to develop the habit of using creams with high SPF protection, because susceptibility to sunlight also depends on heredity.
Depression
More than 300 million people a year suffer from depression, and scientists have found the gene Slc6a15 that is the main culprit and inherited. This disease occurs in women 2 times more often than in men and goes into a chronic form. Post-natal depression is also genetically transmitted.
Disease Prevention:
Be mindful to your physical condition: a good sleep, balanced diet and regular exercise.
Do not be left alone with the problem, seek help from relatives. Sometimes it is enough just to talk.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma in women is much more common than in men, and the genetic mutations that carry this disease, are inherited.
Disease Prevention:
Have regular medical examinations. It is necessary to see ophthalmologist every 2–4 years before the age of 40, every 1-3 years – at 40–54, every 1-2 years – at 55–64, and every 6–12 months - after 65. Regular moderate physical activity, walking or jogging, should be 3 or more times a week. You can also do yoga, but avoid inverted poses where the load falls on neck and shoulders.
Cardiovascular diseases
In women, fat tissue accumulation sites are determined genetically, and if the highest concentration of fat cells is in the abdomen, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases by 2 times. An excess cholesterol settled on the blood vessel walls is also inherited and can block the coronary arteries leading to a stroke or heart attack.
Disease Prevention:
Overweight increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, hypertension, and diabetes. Find the type of physical activity you like and exercise 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes.
Review your diet: give up salty, sweet and fatty foods, eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grain products.
Quit smoking; it will significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.
Have medical checkups regularly; monitor the level of blood pressure and cholesterol, in particular.
Migraine
Women suffer from migraines 3 times more often than men. The disease is also passed genetically, but it is possible to alleviate your condition and reduce the frequency of attacks.
Disease Prevention:
Reduce alcohol, chocolate, cheese, coffee, and citrus fruit consumption; all of these foods cause migraines.
Avoid places with strong odors and too bright lighting.
Drink plenty of water.
Give yourself time to relax and rest every day.
Insomnia
Scientists have discovered not only the genes that cause insomnia, but also its strong connection with other indicants signs such as anxiety disorder, depression and neuroticism that are inherited. These diseases go along with insomnia, and this means that they have one genetic basis.
Disease Prevention:
Do not go to bed with negative thoughts.
Do not drink coffee, do not smoke, or eat heavy food at the end of the day.
Do not play sports late in the evening; it is better to finish the workout 4 hours before bedtime.
Try to keep regular hours.
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and it is much more common in women than in men. The cure for this disease has not yet been invented, but the risks can be reduced significantly if you lead a healthy lifestyle.
Disease Prevention:
Watch your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Quit smoking; this bad habit increases the risk of dementia.
Go in for sports, it will saturate your brain with oxygen.
Limit your intake of sugar and saturated fat, add fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Breast and ovarian cancer
The famous actress Angelina Jolie decided on a mastectomy (removal of the mammary glands) in 2013 and a laparoscopic oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) in 2015. The reason being was the desire to minimize the oncology risk, which her mother and grandmother died from. Jolie is the BRCA1 gene carrier, which greatly increases the likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The scientists, however, warn that the gene mutation does not always turn into a disease and there is no need to rush into the decision of such prevention.
Disease Prevention:
Minimize alcohol consumption.
Plan childbirth before the age of 30; the study has shown that the first child under 30 years of age reduces the risk of breast cancer.
Do not smoke.
Have a checkup regularly.
Photos are from open sources.
