Whether it’s her frizzy hair, pear-shaped figure or freaky toe, there’s no escaping it, some things in life you inherit from your mother. but the inheritance runs much deeper than we think. “We not only look like our mothers, but how we age and the health conditions we’re most susceptible to can be passed down through generations just like an heirloom,” explains Dr Marilyn Glenville PhD, author of The Natural Health Bible for Women (Dhs60, Duncan Baird, amazon.co.uk). however, the good news is that by asking your mum some key questions, and making some simple lifestyle choices, you can start combating these issues now. so get the kettle on, and get your mum ready for a grilling.
1 Is it me or have you got shorter as you’ve got older?And we’re not referring to whether she’s given up the heels for sensible fl ats here. “Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to lose their density and become more fragile, and if your mum suffers from it, as you age you’re more likely to suffer from it too,” warns Dr Glenville. It’s worth having a look at your family history because research is increasingly emphasising the link between heredity and osteoporosis and as much as 85 per cent of bone development may be down to genetics. “You might be able piece together clues by asking your mother whether any relatives had a dowager’s hump (where the spine curves outwards) or lost height as they got older (a sure sign that the bones are weaker),” adds Dr Glenville. She also mentions that with the lifestyle choices, for example reducing your alcohol intake, stopping smoking, stocking up on calcium and Vitamin D and doing ‘weight bearing exercises’ such as dancing or running, you can strengthen your bones and alleviate the potential symptoms. Log onto nos.org.uk for more details.
2 can you see me pulling faces at you from here?If your mum wears glasses then it might be worth giving your eyes the once-over as bad eyesight doesn’t just come with age, it can be inherited, too. have difficulty focusing on distant objects? Then you’re among the most common group of people who suffer from eye conditions, which is generally caused by an enlarged eyeball, and usually begins in childhood. fear not though, because a group of scientists in London have discovered the gene that causes short sightedness and are developing a treatment involving ‘solution drops’ – meaning glasses and contact lenses could become a thing of the past. You may have to wait a few years before the solution is available though, so until then pack in a diet full of antioxidents and Omega 3, which have been proven to protect eye health. also try to fit in some brisk walking, which the American Academy of Ophthalmology found can reduce age-related eye degeneration by 70 per cent. (Contact Moorfields Hospital Dubai on 04 429 7888.)3 Has anyone in our family ever experienced breast cancer?No one wants to think about cancer, but the ‘big C’ is mostly caused by a genetic abnormality that can be inherited. “The likelihood of developing breast cancer increases when a single or multiple family member is known to have suffered, particularly if the family member is your mother (known as a ‘first degree relative’),” says Nagi Khouri MD, from the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. “A second degree relative such as a grandmother or aunt is slightly less of a risk,” he adds. While previously, it was more women in their 40s and above who were most affected by breast cancer, according to Dr Moza Al Hattawi, senior health officer and member of the breast diagnosis team at Rashid hospital, Dubai, an increasing number of women in their early 30s now suffer. Studies by the World Cancer Research Fund have shown that 40 per cent of all cancers, including breast cancer, could be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle and that early detection increases the chances of survival by up to 98 per cent. Log onto breastcancercare.org.uk for tips and how to check your breasts for warning signs.
4 have you been filling up on fatty burgers behind my back?With the hot weather approaching you could be forgiven for whacking up the air-con and laying down on the sofa with a takeaway. we all know that such behaviour is going to play havoc on your waistline, but it could lead to diabetes (where the glucose in your blood is too high), too. according to the World Health Organisation, a staggering 13.5 per cent of the UAE population is diabetic, the second highest rate in the world and is set to rise another 20 per cent by 2030. Of the national population, it’s also estimated that half of all men and women in the UAE are overweight or obese. One side effect of obesity is Type II diabetes (when the body can’t make insulin to release the glucose in your blood), which is the result of an unhealthy diet and too many sofa-bound hours, rather than genetic disposition. If obesity runs in your family, then ask your mum and find out whether there’s a strong history of Type II Diabetes too. If so, you need to see your doctor asap. The good news is that staying active and following a healthy diet, including carbs to keep your glucose levels stable, reducing fat, sugar and salt levels to 6g a day, can help. Log onto diabetes.org.uk for info.
5 Is your sad mood a sign of something more serious?Low on energy? Teary? Feeling sad for weeks at a time? Depression is a serious condition and affects twice as many women as men and around 120 million people worldwide. more worryingly, “there’s a 23 per cent chance of you suffering from depression if your mother ever has,” says Dr Suliman Al Habib at the Medical Center in Dubai Healthcare City. Classed as a chronic illness, treatment for depression is available and can involve prescription medication, as well as various counselling services proven to help. “Ask your mother if she’s ever been prescribed antidepressants,” suggests Dr Suliman who says that “the best advice if you’re concerned about inheriting any genetic conditions from your mother is to visit your doctor and provide them with a family history so he can assess the risk factors.”
6 have you been slouching around on the sofa too much?“Having a family history of Alzheimer’s is the strongest risk factor for developing the condition,” says Dr Glenville. Undoubtedly you’ll know if a parent or grandparent has suffered from this disease, which is a form of dementia and includes memory loss, confusion and mood swings, but what you might not know is that research has found that an exercise routine of just 30 minutes a day will increase the oxygen to your brain and keep you mentally agile. No matter what your lifestyle, if you smoke, drink or have a family history of Alzheimer’s, a simple adjustment to your daily routine can lower your risk by more than 52 per cent. “The message is that it’s never too late to start exercising,” says Dr Glenville. “Whatever you do will give you a benefit.” Time to start hitting that treadmill…
7 When did your time-of the-month come to an end?Okay, so the menopause sounds like something from Victorian times and indeed seems like light years away, but while most women experience it between the ages of 40 to 58, for an unlucky few (one to five per cent) it can make an early appearance. ask your mum about her experience, especially at what age she went through hers, as it may give you clues as to what your body has in store for you. The one thing that’s certain is that smoking will accelerate the onset of menopause by up to two years, so there’s an extra reason to give up. On the opposite end of the scale, being overweight can delay your menopause, bringing with it a higher risk of developing breast cancer and uterine or ovarian cancer. have regular health checks with your doctor including a yearly smear test to ensure you catch any symptoms early. Log onto menopause.org for more info.