Genetic Counselling

Genetic Counselling

Genetic counseling helps in studying the family history into details, thus asserting the probability of contracting a genetic disorder in future. The risks are calculated so that the potential severity of the genetic condition is affirmed and the patient is adviced accordingly. For example, in our family tree, hypertension is a big problem which has affected both my grandfather and uncle at the same age in their lives.

Potential Reactions

The patient may become so afraid because there are no prevention blueprints when it comes to genetic conditions. However, genetic disorders do not affect all members of the family hence further tests can help in asserting whether he or she is affected. Therefore, the patient has to go through screening, diagnostics and prognostics to affirm that the or she is affected. Secondly, the patient is likely to rejoice at the fact that healthy living can help in reducing the severity in the long run. Hence, the patient can advice members of his family to live healthy through dieting and exercise so that they are not grossly affected. Thirdly, the patient is likely to look deep into the family history to assert where the problem has come from. For example, in our family tree the problem came from the paternal side because of my grandfather who was affected by hypertension at 64 years old.

1.Health

The health of the patient is strongly tied to the family tree hence he or she should solicit for the medical history of the parents. Moreover, the patient can be suffering from a condition which is linked to the paternal or maternal relatives. For example in our paternal family tree hypertension is flowing and my grandfather had the same diseases at 64 which my uncle had at the same age. Therefore, the patient should evaluate the medical history of the parents and come up with reasons why he or she is suffering from the condition.

2.Prevention

The medical condition cannot be prevented because it is tied to the genetics of the family. However, the patient can try living a healthy life so that the effect of the condition cannot be as severe as it was in other family members. A genetric condition cannot be prevented because it comes automatically and it is tied to the genetics in the long run. For example, in our family tree my uncle was not able to prevent the hypertension from coming to him when he was 64 years old.
3.Screening

The patient can go through a screening test to determine whether he or she is likely to inherit the genetic disorder. It is imperative to note that screening tests helps in asserting members of the family who are highly susceptible to the genetic condition. Moreover, the condition does not affect all members of the family equally, it is selective. Therefore, a screening test is in order especially where the patient is showing signs of contracting the genetic disorder.
4.Diagnostics

Diagnostic testing is used to either rule out or confirm a genetic disorder after the patient shows signs of being affected. Therefore, the patient must go through the process to confirm whether he or she is really affected by the genetic disorder. The process is used to either confirm or rule out the condition. The patient should embrace the condition to control the type of treatment administered in the long run.
5.Prognostics

Prognostics are used to determine the exact time the patient is likely to suffer from a genetic disorder and the expected consequences. For example in our family tree, hypertension affected my paternal uncles a 64 years which is the same time the condition affected my grandfather. Hence the patient should solicit for the prognostics so that he or she can be ready.
6.Selection of treatment

Selection of treatment will depend on the assertion that the patient has already contracted the genetic disorder. For example, in the case of hypertension, my uncle was exposed to a diet and instructed to work out continually. Dieting and healthy living might help in reducing the severity of the genetic disease. The patient can be exposed to the same healthy living regimen or he can be asked to use specific medication. The medication should be clearly aligned with the genetic disorder that he or she is suffering from in the long run.
7.Monitoring of treatment effectiveness

The patient can be exposed to constant testing and check ups to monitor whether he or she is responding to treatment. For instance, heart rates can be checked and blood pressure to assert whether the treatment is working. Also, the severity of the diseases can be checked and the effects on the patient in the long run. Patients who appear to be receiving gross effects regardless of their treatment regimen should be exposed to further treatment. Monitoring of the treatment effectiveness should be done continually to ensure that the patent is responding as expected in the long run.