Diathesis refers to a natural tendency or susceptibility to disease due to genetic or environmental factors. Genetic conditions can predispose people to medical problems, and treatments are available to address a predisposition or tendency to disease. The diathesis-stress behavior model argues that behavioral disorders are the result of a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.
Diathesis is a medical term meaning “predisposition”. It refers to a natural tendency or susceptibility to disease as a result of genetic or environmental factors. Someone with a diathesis for a condition is at a higher risk of developing the condition or experiencing complications from the condition. Bleeding diathesis, usually caused by genetic blood disorders, is one example; people with blood disorders are more likely to have problems related to clotting and circulation. Similarly, people in heavily polluted areas may have a predisposition for environmental diseases.
Genetic conditions can predispose people to a wide variety of medical problems, and researchers are constantly discovering new genetic links to disease. For example, metabolic disorders can interfere with your ability to absorb and utilize nutrients, leading to health problems. People with metabolic disorders may be at risk of malnutrition and other complications because their bodies cannot use nutrients effectively or at all. Likewise, some genetic diseases can create a predisposition for the development of allergies or autoimmune diseases.
A person with a diathesis for certain medical conditions may have noted this in a medical record to inform healthcare professionals. Some natural tendencies can become concerns during medical procedures or the development of treatment plans. Someone with a bleeding disorder might be a poor candidate for surgery due to the increased risks, and if surgery becomes necessary, special measures must be taken to protect the patient’s well-being. Knowing about this issue in advance allows healthcare professionals to make plans.
Treatments are sometimes available to address a predisposition or tendency to disease. These can include condoms designed to prevent the onset of the disease, as well as treatments to manage the disease. A person who does not produce a particular digestive enzyme might, for example, take an enzyme supplement to replace the missing enzyme or avoid certain foods that the body cannot digest. Gene therapy researchers are interested in eventually developing treatments to correct the underlying problem so that patients do not require lifelong supportive care.
This term can also be seen used in the diathesis-stress behavior model. This behavioral model argues that behavioral disorders are the result of a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Someone may have a genetic predisposition to depression or other conditions that interacts poorly with environmental factors known to cause behavior problems. By themselves, genetic and environmental factors may not be sufficient to lead to the development of a disorder, but when combined they can influence the outcome of a person’s behavioral development.
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