Moms and Dads

5 Ways of How Not Knowing Health Issues Can Destroy A Family’s Happiness

Diseases tend to pop out of nowhere which can really destroy the “happily ever after” of our families.

Health issues, especially underlying ones, can take a toll on our families. We’ve seen how cancer can break even the most resilient of people. And most of the time, we ignore these health issues because they’re not a pressing concern yet. We’re too busy handling everything that life throws at our faces. And we tend to forget about the doctor’s appointment we made six months ago.

1. Genetic diseases are manageable but not curable.

Nobody really knows who controls the genetic roulette. While some genetic diseases may not take away a child’s chances to have a full life, not knowing about it early on can stress out families. It can drain and disillusion families into thinking they’ll never be happy. It’s why Makati Med’s Dr. Puzon encourages couples to at least know each other’s general family health history. “Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer screenings, and other pre-existing health conditions can be detected through routine blood tests and medical examinations. The sooner you know these things, the easier it is to fix it before it gets worse.”

2. Acknowledging that your partner has a life-changing disease can mess things up.

Some life-changing diseases like gout or diabetes are easier to accept. But diseases like HIV and STD have a bigger stigma. HIV not only makes people more immunocompromised but these are the kind of diseases that can be passed to one’s children and partner. “Getting an HIV or STD test is the best practice and detecting them early gives doctors a better chance of treating it,” explains Dr. Puzon.

3. One’s definition of a family may not match.

Some partners are okay with not having kids. But others dream of having their own and subject themselves to a battery of fertility tests to make sure. “Fertility tests help couples plan and deal with any health issues that may prevent them from having kids,” Dr. Puzon explains. “Sadly, a lot of couples end up struggling to conceive—not knowing there was an issue, to begin with.”

4. Physiological problems are one thing but mental health problems are another.

Mental health plays a big role in having a happy family. However, some mental disorders do manage to slip by because they’re late-onset. Some don’t even know they had the gene for it to begin with. “Some mental health conditions can lead to domestic violence which affects kids, too,” explains Dr. Puzon. “Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder—all these are treatable and people who have them can still have long, healthy, and happy lives—especially when there’s the right amount of medical and emotional support.”

5. Not knowing causes more room for error.

While they say ignorance is bliss, it’s not in this case. Some physiological problems get worse over time and possibly, even fatal. When scared and confused about these things, it can cause rifts in the relationship because both are unable to validate their fears and their problems. Also, it can hurt the financial pool that you have. It’s better to get tested, despite the stigma. Not every medical visit is a death sentence. It might even be life-saving!

A lot of fights can be avoided by knowing your health history.

Knowing one’s comprehensive health history from physiological to mental can spare families and couples from stress. It can give us a view of what the future holds so that we won’t get stressed from the shock and surprise. Makati Medical Center holds a variety of tests that can easily answer anyone’s questions about their health to help others live a long, happy, and fulfilling life.

More health-related stuff? Check these out!

7 Celebrity Moms Who Opened Up About Their Mental Health
Candy Drilon-Dalman on The Importance of Health and Wellness and Making Things Grow
Homelab PH Gives Our Families Easy Access to Healthcare Assistance

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