Some illnesses are fatal. However, when detected early, your doctor can adequately manage the illness to ensure that you live a long healthy life. Some serious illnesses that can be fatal if detected later in life include cancer and diabetes. For example, the longer a disease like cancer goes undetected, the more it progresses. Cancer will spread and make it hard for doctors to surgically remove the tumor when detected in a later stage, like during stage 4 cancer.
The progression also increases the fatality of the disease by damaging other body organs other than that initially affected by cancer. In most cases, serious illnesses are hereditary. This implies that the disease can be passed in the family when a relative or parent has the disease. For example, if your mother had breast cancer, you are also at risk of having breast cancer. Therefore, you will need to have a mammogram at an early stage of your life, preferably when you reach your 20s, to check for early warnings of breast cancer. Genetic testing has, however, made the early detection of serious illnesses easier. Doctors rely on genetic testing to detect serious illnesses before they progress to a severe stage. Therefore, genetic testing can tell you if you are a carrier of a serious illness.
Genetic testing.
You can describe genetic testing from the two words that make the term. It simply involves performing medical tests on genes. The doctor will draw a sample of blood from your body from which he or she will retrieve your DNA for testing. Genetic testing also involves performing tests on chromosomes and proteins to identify any changes that set them apart from normal genes, proteins, or chromosomes. These changes can affect your body function and make you at risk of developing a serious illness. Depending on the sample used, genetic testing can be molecular, chromosomal, or biochemical.
Molecular genetic testing involves performing tests on single genes. On the other hand, chromosomal genetic testing involves performing tests on chromosomes, while biochemical testing involves tests on proteins. All of these tests are equally effective in identifying an illness. They can also be carried out in different stages of life depending on the predisposing factors you have been exposed to that might cause a disease. For example, genetic testing can be done before birth to determine any abnormalities present in your baby’s genes, such as Down’s Syndrome. When the disease is detected early, treatment can start early for proper management of the condition. Genetic testing is increasing popularity in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases in the medical field. This is because if the test turns out positive, your doctor will advise you on the available options in preventing and managing the disease. Genetic testing can also predict the chances of passing a genetic disease to the next of kin or developing the genetic disease. Through genetic testing, your genetic counsellor can help you reduce the chances of developing or passing a serious illness to your family.
Can genetic testing tell if I’m a carrier of a serious illness?
Yes, genetic testing can tell if you are a carrier of a serious illness. If the test is positive, it implies that you are likely to develop the serious illness. However, the test does not guarantee that you will develop the disease. With proper lifestyle changes and prevention measures, you can decrease your chances of developing the disease. If the test is negative, it provides you with relief. However, it does not guarantee that you will not develop a particular disease. Therefore, the surest way of preventing serious illnesses after genetic testing is to live a healthy life. A combination of physical exercise and a nutritional diet are some of the ways in which you can prevent serious illnesses.
Our IV clinic at Birmingham, Alabama offers genetic testing for those who have a history of any serious illness in the family. Our genetic counsellor has years of experience in the field to guarantee effective testing, prevention, and management of any serious illness. After conducting the test, we offer preventive measures to live a healthy life. It usually involves a change of diet and starting physical exercise for those who do not exercise. Start your journey to healthy living by visiting our clinic at Birmingham, Alabama or calling us on (205) 352-9141 to schedule your appointment. Our customer line is open 24 hours because we consider our patients a priority. Our patients are usually from the Alabama area, but we are open to patients all over the United States.
