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Compiling your medical family tree Your family medical history, sometimes called a medical family tree, is a record of illnesses and medical conditions affecting your family members. Here's why a family medical history can come in handy and how to create a family medical history of your own. How is a family medical history used?You inherit half of your genetic profile from each parent. Along with the genetic information that determines your appearance, you also inherit genes that might cause or increase your risk of certain medical conditions. A family medical history can reveal the history of disease in your family and allow you to identify patterns that might be relevant to your own health. Assess your risk of certain diseasesRecommend treatments or changes in diet or other lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of diseaseDetermine which diagnostic tests to orderDetermine the type and frequency of screening testsDetermine whether you or family members should get a specific genetic testIdentify a condition that might not otherwise be consideredIdentify other family members who are at risk of developing a certain diseaseAssess your risk of passing conditions on to your childrenA family medical history can't predict your future health. It only provides information about risk. Other factors such as your diet, weight, exercise routine and exposure to environmental factors also affect your risk of developing certain diseases. What's the best way to gather family medical information?Your family might want to work together to develop a family medical history. Consider kicking off the project at a family gathering, such as a holiday or reunion. Keep in mind, however, that some loved ones might be uncomfortable disclosing personal medical information. Surgeon General has created a computerized tool called My Family Health Portrait to help you create a family medical history. Or, you can compile your family's health history on your computer or in a paper file. If you encounter reluctance from your family, consider these strategies: Share your purpose. Explain that you're creating a record to help you determine whether you and your relatives have a family history of certain diseases or health conditions. Some people might be more willing to share health information in a face to face conversation. An incorrect guess can result in a poor interpretation of your medical history. Don't worry if some details are missing. What other sources of information may be beneficial?You might want to consult family documents, such as existing family trees, baby books, old letters, obituaries or records from places of worship. Public records birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates are usually available in county record offices. If you or your family members maintain electronic personal health records, use them. If you're adopted, ask your adoptive parents if they received any medical information about your biological parents at the time of your adoption. Adoption agencies also might have family medical information on file. If you were adopted through an open adoption process, you might be able to discuss your family's medical history directly with members of your biological family. What information should be included in a family medical history?If possible, your family medical history should include at least three generations. Compile information about your grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, siblings, cousins, children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. For each person, try to gather the following information: SexDate of birthEthnicityMedical conditionsMental health conditions, including alcoholism or other substance abusePregnancy complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects or infertilityAge when each condition was diagnosedLifestyle habits, including diet, exercise and tobacco useFor deceased relatives, age at the time of death and cause of deathPay special attention to conditions that develop earlier than usual, such as high blood pressure in early adulthood, or conditions that affect multiple relatives. Include information about where your mother's and your father's family members came from for example, Germany, Africa, China and so on. This information can be helpful because some health problems occur more often in specific ethnic groups. What should I do after compiling the information?Give your doctor a copy of your family medical history and ask him or her to review it with you. Your doctor might ask you questions for clarification and can help you interpret the relevance of certain patterns in your medical history, including the need for preventive measures or screening tests. As children are born and family members develop illnesses, update your family medical history. Share relevant updates with your doctor. It might take time and effort, but this tool can help improve the health of your family for generations to come.