Have you joined “Dr Oz’s Transformation Nation: Million Dollar You” program yet? Dr. Oz is calling on every American to put themselves first and finally take control of their health, and you could walk away with $1 million for doing so!Sign up for the challenge here, and tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” today to lean about the next step: Tracing your family history of disease. Get a jumpstart on the competition by checking out our helpful tips below for talking to your doctor.While you’re celebrating the holidays with your loved ones, you may be feeling a lot of gratitude for your health. This time also gives you a chance to figure out how you’ll preserve your good health into the new year.“At your family gatherings over the holidays, sit down with your relatives and record their health,” YouBeauty co-founder Michael Roizen, M.D. says. “Knowing their history will make you more aware of and attuned to prevention efforts, and help you make sure you get screened for any diseases early on,” he adds.What do you ask?1) Consider first: is your relative with the disease an “immediate, full-blood relative” (meaning a mother, father or sibling)?Here are the five remaining yes/no questions to ask your relative (or your know-it-all aunt):2) Did the relative get this disease before age 65?3) Did the relative die from this disease before age 65?“Early onset indicates the disease is much more likely to be familial (genetic) than a disease that strikes much later in life, which may be more related to lifestyle factors,” Dr. Roizen says.4) Was the disease likely caused by a genetic link rather than lifestyle?Lifestyle habits that could’ve contributed to the disease are wide ranging, and include smoking or drinking in excess, being in a toxic work environment and being in an obese BMI range.QUIZ: Is Your Lifestyle Hindering Your Health?5) Is there at least one other relative who had or has the same disease?6) Do you look like the relative, inside or out? (Or, have a similar body type, cholesterol problem, demeanor.)All in all, knowing these six answers ahead of time will help your doctor decide which tests you should receive, if any. If you answered yes to one or two, you may be at risk for inheriting the condition. If you answered yes to more than that, you’re likely at a greater risk for inheriting the disease.The United States Surgeon General also offers a convenient way for you to organize your family health history, using their “My Family Health Portrait” tool.
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