HEREDITARY DISEASE Meaning and
Definition
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A hereditary disease, also known as a genetic disorder, is a medical condition or disorder that is passed down from one generation to the next through genetic material or inherited genetic mutations. These diseases are caused by abnormalities or alterations in specific genes or chromosomes within an individual's DNA. The key characteristic of hereditary diseases is their ability to be transmitted from parents to their offspring.
Hereditary diseases may present at birth or develop later in life due to changes in gene expression. They can manifest in various ways, affecting different body systems or organs. These disorders can be single gene disorders, caused by a mutation in a single gene, or they may be multifactorial, resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
The inheritance patterns of hereditary diseases can vary. They may be autosomal dominant, meaning that an individual only needs to inherit the mutated gene from one parent to develop the disease. Alternatively, they may be autosomal recessive, requiring two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent, for the disease to occur. Some hereditary diseases are also X-linked, affecting genes on the X chromosome, and may impact males more severely than females.
Diagnosis and treatment of hereditary diseases often involve genetic testing, as well as specialized medical care tailored to managing the specific symptoms or complications associated with the disorder. Depending on the disease, treatment options may include medication, surgery, or other interventions aimed at improving quality of life and managing the condition. Additionally, genetic counseling is frequently offered to individuals and families affected by hereditary diseases to provide information, support, and guidance in understanding the genetic aspects of the disorder and making informed decisions.
Common Misspellings for HEREDITARY DISEASE
- gereditary disease
- bereditary disease
- nereditary disease
- jereditary disease
- uereditary disease
- yereditary disease
- hwreditary disease
- hsreditary disease
- hdreditary disease
- hrreditary disease
- h4reditary disease
- h3reditary disease
- heeeditary disease
- hededitary disease
- hefeditary disease
- heteditary disease
- he5editary disease
- he4editary disease
- herwditary disease
Etymology of HEREDITARY DISEASE
The word "hereditary" comes from the Latin word "hereditarius", which means "relating to inheritance". It is derived from the Latin word "hereditas", meaning "inheritance" or "succession".
The term "disease" originates from the Old French word "desaise", which also came from the Latin word "dis-" meaning "without" and "aestimare" meaning "to estimate". Therefore, "disease" initially referred to a condition in which the body functions were not properly estimated or atypical.
When combined, "hereditary disease" refers to a medical condition or disorder that is passed down from one generation to the next through genetic inheritance.
Similar spelling words for HEREDITARY DISEASE
