This is a paper of my family tree of diseases.
Every family has some type of disease that is common among the members of their family. My family has many different diseases that are within our family genes; the most common ones are depression, heart disease, and obesity. We also have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cancer of many different types, and diabetes. Depression, heart disease, and obesity are very common right now in the United States. Heart disease is the number one killer among all people in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). Depression and obesity don’t top the list of major leading causes of death, but they do kill a lot of people not only in the United States but all over the world. Being obese and having depression can inhibit your lifestyle in many ways.
In this day and age, depression has become widespread. Many people suffer from depression and it seems to run in my family. “Depression is a "whole-body" illness, involving your body, mood, and thoughts” (Donald J. Franklin, 2002). It affects everything that you do in your life like eating, sleeping, or just being your everyday self. Depression is not when people feel down on their luck for a couple of days; it last for weeks, months, and even years. Some people may feel like it’s just a black hole that they are not able to get out of. Symptoms of depression include all of the following: difficulty concentrating, fatigue, loss of energy, feeling worthless or guilty, having insomnia or sleeping too much, very irritable, thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts, overeating or loss of appetite, and sad/empty thoughts (Depression Guide, 2005-2010). Some causes of this disease may be genetic. It can also be brought on by high levels of stress in ones life. Someone who is very pessimistic about everything in their life is at risk of depression, as well as those who are terminally ill. Ways to prevent depression can include talking to a psychologist. It can help with stress which, as discussed above, is a major factor in depression. Keeping your body healthy through exercising five days a week for at least thirty minutes a day is another way to help prevent depression.
Heart Disease has also plagued my family over the generations. It is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It is defined as “a group of problems that occur when the heart and blood vessels aren't working the way they should” (The Nemours Foundation, 1995-2010). There are many different types of heart disease like heart attack, stroke, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, and angina. The type that runs in my family the most is heart attack. A heart attack can be defined as a blood clot/blockage that stops blood flow to the heart (The Nemours Foundation, 1995-2010). A heart attack is not a sudden occurrence. It starts off slow with usually mild pains in the chest region near the heart. You may have shortness of breath, discomfort in your upper body, nausea, light headed, or you may break out in a cold sweat. Risk factors of heart attacks can increase as you get older. According to the American Heart Association, 83% of the people that suffer from heart attacks are at or above the age of 65. They also say that men are more likely than women to have a heart attack and that your race can play a major role in determining whether or not you will have one (American Heart Association, 2010). Ways to help prevent the suffering of a heart attack is to try to stay active and exercise regularly. If you are a smoker or a drinker, one should cut back and not do it as often as that may contribute to a heart attack. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can also be factors that contribute to heart attacks as well but can be controlled by taking medicine and watching what you eat every day.
Obesity is a major problem in the United States, and my family is no exception. Most of my family is overweight; not all are obese but most are overweight. Obesity and being overweight can be jointly defined as having too much fat in your body relative to your height. Being obese or overweight can contribute to many health problems later on in life including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease (American Heart Association 1, 2010). Signs and symptoms of being overweight may include clothes not fitting well or getting tighter, scale showing a higher weight, and having more fat around your waist (Diseases and Conditions Index, 2010). Over eating and stress can lead to someone becoming overweight. To prevent yourself from becoming overweight and to ease stress levels, exercise everyday or at least five days a week and at least thirty minutes each day. Finding ways to stay active and monitoring calorie intake are crucial steps in preventing the onset of obesity.
Depression, Heart Disease, and obesity are all common diseases within my family. Depression comes in all sorts of ways and is caused by many different factors like stress, and may be inherited from your relatives. It affects your whole lifestyle because you are not able to be as happy as you otherwise could be. Heart Disease is the leading cause of death and is very common in my family. It can contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and may end in a heart attack or stroke. Obesity is a huge problem in the United States as well and very common in my family. Most of my family is overweight but some more than others. Everything that is stated above can be inherited. I have a high chance of getting some kind of heart disease because of how many people in my family have it. I have a healthy lifestyle which includes exercising everyday and following a healthy diet. I try to live a healthy lifestyle so I don’t suffer from what my family members had to suffer from. I know some diseases are inevitable but others you can prevent by seeking a healthy lifestyle and being active.
Bibliography
American Heart Association 1. (2010). Obesity and Overweight. Retrieved June 15, 2010, from American Heart Association Learn and Live: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4639
American Heart Association. (2010). Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease. Retrieved June 15, 2010, from American Heart Association Learn and Live: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4726
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009, December 31). Fast Facts. Retrieved June 2010, 15, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm
Depression Guide. (2005-2010). Retrieved June 15, 2010, from WebMD Better Information. Better Health: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression
Diseases and Conditions Index. (2010). Retrieved June 15, 2010, from National Heart Lung and Blood Institue: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/obe/obe_signsandsymptoms.html
Donald J. Franklin, P. (2002). Psychology Information Online . Retrieved June 15, 2010, from Psychology Information Online : http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/description.html
The Nemours Foundation. (1995-2010). Heart Disease. Retrieved June 15, 2010, from Kids Health for Nemours: http://kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/conditions/heart_disease.html
