7 Unexpected Diseases You Can Inherit From Your Parents

on November 29, 2016

Do you often look at yourself in the mirror and feel that you have your mother's nose or your father's eyes? Well, did you know that it is not just the looks that you can inherit from your parents, but certain diseases too?

Yes, as we know, we can acquire a lot of physical and personality traits from our parents and even other family members due to the DNA transfer that occurs between the parent and offspring.

Similarly, there are certain disorders and ailments that can be caused by heredity. For instance, if one of your parents is suffering from diabetes, chances are you can also be affected with that disease at some point in your life.

Many research studies have claimed that the genetic makeup of an individual can be a lot similar to that of his/her parents or close relatives, even when it comes to certain diseases.

So, it is extremely important to learn about the medical history of your family.

Here is a list of unexpected diseases that can be inherited from your parents or family members, have a look.

1. High Cholesterol

We know that high cholesterol can be the result of an unhealthy lifestyle; however, in some cases, this condition can also be genetic and it is known as familial hypercholesterolemia.

2. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is another disease that can be inherited from either parent (even the father!) due to certain gene mutations that occur in their DNA, which is passed on to the female offspring.

3. Male Pattern Baldness

This hair-related ailment, commonly faced by many middle-aged men, can also be a result of certain inherited genes, even from the mothers! However, environmental factors also play a major role when it comes to male pattern baldness.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes is another common ailment that is genetic in nature. In many cases, if both parents are diabetic, the offspring can also develop early-onset diabetes.

5. Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance can be a genetic condition because there may be an absence of the gene that is responsible for the digestion of lactose by the body, in the parents, so the gene cannot be transferred to the offspring.

6. Depression

Many research studies have noted that depression can also be caused by heredity, as certain genes responsible for the healthy production of serotonin and dopamine may be absent in the offspring.

7. Alcoholism

Heredity can also be one of the causes of alcoholism, along with various other factors caused by a genetic mutation responsible for the addictive behaviour.