A poster
seen at the office of my Ophthalmologists set me thinking on how much these words of
advice apply to us as Caribbean people. And I quote, “If you suffer from an eye
disease, there’s a chance your children will too. Talk to your family about
their risks.”
Our generation should now
be more aware than the generation before us of the importance of family history
in the process of medical diagnosis. How many of us know what ailments our
grandparents and Aunts and Uncles meet their demise from. In the past these
were carefully guarded family secrets that went to the graves with those who
suffered from them. Now, on any visit to
a medical practitioner the first question you are asked is about family history
because that plays a significant role in what your medical practitioner is
thinking, what he or she will be looking for, narrow the possibilities in terms
of what to look for and in some cases preventing them from undertaking
unnecessary test if the information was readily available.
There are
so many medical issues where genetics and family history plays a great part
such as eye disease – glaucoma; heart disease - angina, depression, mental
illness, cancer, asthma, allergies, lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
My message here is, let us communicate such information to our family members as
this knowledge could make a difference in the quality of care that they
receive. We do not go out and purchase
illnesses. Illness is no respecter of
persons in fact it can be considered the great equalizer. Regardless of where
you come from your family background, economic circumstances, geographic
location we are all susceptible to falling ill. Let us give the next generation a better chance
by keeping them informed. That
information would allow them to take preventative action, watch their diets, adjust
their lifestyles and in some instances take better care of themselves
physically and mentally. Knowledge is power; let us give them that
power.
Thecla C. Deterville
