What Is My Medical History?

 

Your medical history includes both your personal health history and your family health history. Your personal health history has details about any health problems you’ve ever had. A family health history has details about health problems your blood relatives have had during their lifetimes.

This information gives your doctor all kinds of important clues about what’s going on with your health, because many diseases run in families. The history also tells your doctor what health issues you may be at risk for in the future. If your doctor learns, for example, that both of your parents have heart disease, they may focus on your heart health when you’re much younger than other patients who don’t have a family history of heart disease. If it’s possible, every adult should know their family health history. You may or may not already know some information about conditions that affected different family members. Even if you think you do, double-check what you know. Find out even more about as many blood relatives as you can, and remember to include half-sisters and brothers.

You should not include people who are not blood relatives, such as:

•       Your spouse
•       Your adopted children or adoptive parents/siblings
•        Your stepchildren or step-siblings
•        Your relatives who married into the family

 Make sure to write down what you learn, in case you forget details over time. You’ll also be able to add to the information you already have.

 How Your History Keeps You Healthy:

Once you find out your medical history, you can make powerful choices for yourself. If you learn, for example, that heart disease runs in your family, you may decide to make lifestyle changes that could lower your risk, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, or getting more exercise.

 Your doctor may also use the information to give you screening tests, which might catch a disease, such as cancer, early. There are lots of ways your medical history can put you and your doctor in better control of your health.

 Conclusion:

Medical history is important because when GPs have more information about a patient’s medical history,  health professionals can deliver the most appropriate and effective treatment or support for their concerns. It can also help diagnose possible illnesses, understand hereditary and likely diseases in your family, as well as allergies, your past and current medication, and vaccination records.