The genes inherited from parents are the seeds of nearly all diseases. If a person has a family history of hypertension or diabetes, their risk of developing these diseases is quite high. But does this risk decrease with advancing age?

Genetic Diseases

Genetic codes are an inheritance passed from parents to children. These genetic structures, passed from generation to generation, consist of DNA chains. From the moment a person is born, all information about how they will live is present in their DNA structure. Babies born without any genetic disease in their parents develop healthily and continue their lives. However, if parents carry any genetic disorder, disease, or abnormality in their genes or chromosomes, their babies' DNA structures can undergo changes called mutations. These mutations in DNA structure are the primary actors in the development of genetic diseases.

Genetic diseases can appear in some individuals at birth and in others at different stages of their lives. Research shows that 1 in 30 people is born with a genetic disorder.

Does the Risk of Genetic Diseases Decrease as Age Progresses?

Research conducted at Oxford University shows that while people become more prone to illness as they age, the risk of illness from genetic causes gradually decreases.

The genes inherited from parents are the seeds of nearly all diseases. If a person has a family history of hypertension or diabetes, their risk of developing these diseases is quite high. The study conducted at Oxford University examined whether the likelihood of developing a disease caused by carrying certain genes changes as a person ages. In this context, research conducted using genomic data from 500,000 people found that individuals' risk of genetic disease is highest in the early stages of their lives, and decreases in later stages for many diseases such as hypertension, skin cancer, and low-active thyroid.

Nevertheless, it is not an established fact that the risk of disease created by a person's genes decreases with age. Scientists suspect that there may be other unknown variations between a person's genes and environment that could cause disease.

What Are Genetic Diseases?

Genetic diseases develop based on mutations in DNA caused by chromosome disorders or gene differences originating from parents. While there are many types of genetic diseases, these diseases sometimes appear congenitally in individuals and sometimes later in life.

Some diseases known to be genetically transmitted include:

Down Syndrome

It is a condition resulting from the presence of an extra chromosome. Individuals with this condition have below-average intelligence levels. Learning difficulties and speech disorders are observed. Down Syndrome is particularly more common in children born to older mothers.

Colorblindness (Color Blindness)

It is the inability to perceive certain color tones and confusion between them. Individuals with this condition have difficulty distinguishing between the tones of red, blue, and green colors. The number of completely color blind people who see the entire world in black and white is extremely small.

Hemophilia

It is a condition in which blood cannot clot. The body produces certain proteins for blood clotting. The non-production of these proteins leads to blood not clotting. When hemophilia patients are injured, their bleeding can usually only be stopped with medical intervention.

Alzheimer's

It is a disease characterized by memory loss, dementia, and reduced cognitive function resulting from the gradual death of brain cells. This condition, which manifests as simple forgetfulness, eventually causes the person to become unable to meet even their basic needs independently.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

SMA is one of the most common genetic diseases. By affecting motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, it eliminates the ability to move. It is the number one inherited cause of death, particularly in infants.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy, known as seizure disorder among the general population, develops as a result of sudden and uncontrolled discharge of neurons in the brain. It causes involuntary muscle contractions and changes in consciousness. As it affects the brain system, it can also impair many functions controlled by the brain.

Other diseases known to be genetically transmitted include:

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Osteoporosis
• Anemia
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• Jaundice
• AIDS
• HIV
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies