Is It in Your Genes? The Influence of Genes on Common Disorders and Diseases that Affect You and Your Family

by Reilly, Philip R.

• ISBN13: 9780879697211
• ISBN10: 0879697210
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-05
• Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press

Summary

It is now clear that our risk of developing almost any disease is influenced by the genes with which we are born. One of the most important dividends of the Human Genome Project will be a much greater understanding of the influence of genes on disease and disorders in children (from asthma to autism) and adults (including heart disease, virtually all cancers, and Alzheimer's disease). The nature of genetic risks in families is becoming clearer and this book is written to help people understand them. Philip Reilly, a physician#x13;geneticist, who has given hundreds of lectures on this subject, takes a user#x13;friendly approach. Drawing on the many questions he has been asked (for example, #x1C;My sister has multiple sclerosis. Am I at an increased risk?#x1D;), Reilly discusses over 90 common conditions, diseases, and disorders, arranged from conception to old age. In frank, non#x13;technical terms, he makes clear what is known and not known about the genetic factors and, if your risk is elevated, what you might be able to do about it. This book is a uniquely valuable resource for anyone seeking more information about a family#x19;s disease heritage.

Author Biography

Dr. Philip Reilly is the author of four other books

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xiv
A Note about Technical Terminology	xv
Is It in Your Genes? Companion Web Site	xvi
Introduction: Genetic Medicine	1	(6)
Genes and Mutations	7	(6)
PART 1 PREGNANCY
Infertility	13	(3)
Endometriosis	16	(2)
Uterine Fibroids	18	(2)
Consanguinity	20	(2)
Race and Ethnicity	22	(2)
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss	24	(3)
Preeclampsia	27	(1)
Twinning	28	(2)
Premature Births	30	(3)
PART 2 INFANCY
Congenital Malformations (Birth Defects)	33	(6)
Down Syndrome	34	(1)
Spina Bifida	35	(1)
Congenital Heart Defects	36	(1)
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate	37	(1)
Pyloric Stenosis	38	(1)
Clubfoot	39	(1)
Newborn Genetic Screening	39	(3)
Deafness	42	(3)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome	45	(2)
PART 3 CHILDHOOD
Cerebral Palsy	47	(2)
Mental Retardation	49	(4)
Autism	53	(3)
Developmental Disabilities	56	(8)
Specific Reading Disability (Dyslexia)	56	(2)
Specific Language Impairment	58	(2)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder	60	(2)
Stuttering	62	(2)
Epilepsy (Seizures)	64	(4)
Juvenile Diabetes	68	(3)
Asthma	71	(2)
Eczema	73	(1)
Scoliosis	74	(1)
Stature	75	(2)
Strabismus	77	(1)
Eye Color	78	(1)
Handedness	79	(2)
PART 4 ADULTHOOD
Heart Diseases	81	(25)
Coronary Artery Disease (Atherosclerosis)	81	(5)
High Cholesterol	86	(1)
High Blood Pressure	87	(3)
Cardiomyopathy	90	(3)
Pulmonary Embolism	93	(2)
Sudden Death	95	(2)
Aortic Aneurysms	97	(2)
Atrial Fibrillation	99	(2)
Mitral Valve Prolapse	101	(1)
Longevity	102	(4)
Lung Diseases	106	(4)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD, Emphysema)	106	(2)
Sarcoidosis	108	(2)
Gastrointestinal Diseases	110	(15)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease	110	(4)
Peptic Ulcer Disease	114	(2)
Celiac Disease (Gluten-sensitive Enteropathy)	116	(2)
Pancreatitis	118	(2)
Lactose Intolerance (Lactase Deficiency)	120	(1)
Appendicitis	121	(2)
Gallstones (Cholecystitis, Gallbladder Disease)	123	(2)
Endocrine Disorders	125	(14)
Adult-onset Diabetes (NIDDM, Diabetes Type II)	125	(3)
Obesity	128	(5)
Osteoporosis	133	(4)
Thyroid Diseases	137	(2)
Infectious Diseases	139	(7)
Susceptibility to Infection	139	(6)
HIV/AIDS	145	(1)
Rheumatological Disorders	146	(12)
Rheumatoid Arthritis	146	(3)
Osteoarthritis	149	(2)
Gout	151	(2)
Lupus	153	(4)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome	157	(1)
Skin Disorders	158	(4)
Atopic Dermatitis	158	(1)
Psoriasis	159	(1)
Baldness	160	(2)
Cancer	162	(35)
Breast Cancer	162	(7)
Ovarian Cancer	169	(3)
Endometrial Cancer	172	(1)
Colon Cancer	173	(4)
Prostate Cancer	177	(3)
Kidney Cancer	180	(1)
Bladder Cancer	181	(2)
Stomach Cancer	183	(2)
Cancer of the Pancreas	185	(3)
Leukemia	188	(2)
Lymphoma	190	(3)
Hodgkin's Disease	190	(1)
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma	191	(2)
Melanoma	193	(2)
Lung Cancer	195	(2)
Brain Disorders	197	(17)
Stroke	197	(4)
Alzheimer's Disease	201	(3)
Migraine Headaches	204	(2)
Multiple Sclerosis	206	(2)
Parkinson's Disease	208	(4)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)	212	(2)
Eye Disorders	214	(5)
Glaucoma	214	(3)
Macular Degeneration	217	(2)
Mental Illness	219	(14)
Schizophrenia	219	(4)
Affective Disorder (Major Depression, Bipolar Illness)	223	(5)
Panic Disorder	228	(2)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder	230	(2)
Anorexia Nervosa	232	(1)
Human Behavior	233	(8)
Alcoholism	233	(3)
Drug Addiction	236	(2)
Homosexuality	238	(3)
Conclusion	241	(4)
For Further Information	245	(34)
Index	279