Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), anxiety is “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”
Though we all go through anxiety multiple times in our lives, experiencing persistent and overwhelming anxiety can be debilitating.
When anxiety interferes with your daily activities or causes distress, you may have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders are mental health disorders, and their cause may be complicated.
Some possible causes:
Studies have shown that anxiety runs in families.
Children of parents with anxiety disorder are seven times more likely to develop the condition.
Though genetics is only 30-40% responsible for anxiety disorder, a recent study on twins showed a direct transmission of anxiety genes from the parent to the child.
Studies also show that over-controlling and anxious parental behavior can promote anxiety in children.
Though genetics play an essential role in the transmission of anxiety in families, environment and parenting also have a significant impact.
A new study found that brain function resulting from anxiety and depression is inherited.
In a research study, young rhesus monkeys were exposed to mildly stressful situations.
It was found that monkeys stopped moving or vocalizing while their stress hormones shot up.
Shy human children show similar behavior.
In another study, researchers found that nearly 30% variation in early anxiety has been credited to family history.
Further, children with highly anxious temperaments are at a 50% risk of developing mental health disorders later in life.
Researchers have found three brain regions involved in anxiety that were heritable. These include:
It is, therefore, believed that the overactivity of the brain that causes anxiety is inherited from our parents.
Parents with anxiety disorders may have no control over the genes they transfer to their children.
However, since environmental and lifestyle factors play a role in anxiety, early intervention can help prevent anxiety in an individual.
Here are some effective ways to break the cycle of anxiety:
Learn to recognize anxiety in your child
As parents with anxiety, it is important to recognize signs of anxiety and nervousness in your child.
You must also teach your child to identify thoughts that scare them.
Apart from recognizing the fear, children must be taught how to deal with their scary or fearful thoughts.
Share your stories
To alleviate fear and anxiety in children, parents must create a safe and trusted environment.
An effective way to do so is to share your stories of vulnerability, anxiety, or depression. Your child may find comfort in knowing that you understand these feelings.
Create smooth communication channels
An essential pillar of support when a child is going through anxiety is knowing whom to speak to when they feel low or anxious.
Keeping communication channels open with your child and initiating conversations about how they are feeling or how their day went can help reduce their anxiety.
Build their confidence
As parents, fixing a problem for your child is an instinct. However, doing so steals from them an opportunity to use and practice their competence.
An excellent way to alleviate your child’s anxiety is to build their confidence by guiding them in problem-solving.
Genetic test
A genetic test can help understand the risk for anxiety and provide personalized recommendations to help prevent it.
Gene therapy is a medical approach that treats and prevents genetic and inherited conditions.
Using gene therapy, doctors can treat a condition by altering an individual’s genetic makeup with surgery or medications.
The earliest forms of gene therapy used gene transfer or gene addition, where a new gene or a non-faulty copy of a gene was introduced into the cell to fight disease.
The latest technology revolutionizing gene therapy is CRISPR-Cas9 or genome editing.
Several advanced molecular tools are used in gene-editing and are currently being studied to:
Today, gene therapies are used to treat a few diseases, including Leber congenital amaurosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and autism.
The use of gene therapies for several other conditions is underway.
The main focus of gene therapy is still treating conditions caused by mutations in a single gene.
However, since ASD is not associated with a single gene, using gene therapy to prevent and treat the condition or spectrum of disorders is challenging.
There are two types of ASD:
Caused by abnormal changes or mutations in a single gene and is considered a neurological condition like Fragile X syndrome.
Caused by unknown genetic or environmental factors.
Syndromic ASD is usually more severe, and since mutations of only one gene (monogenic) are responsible for this condition; gene therapy is most promising in these conditions.
Currently, gene therapies that permanently alter the genome are being developed for over 11 monogenic autism syndromes.
Gene therapies for autism depend upon the genetic cause and structural variants of the gene causing the condition.
Accurate diagnosis and precise prediction of the sequence in a mutation will enable the safe application of gene therapy in the future.
A gene called the UBE3A is considered a risk gene for autism.
The UBE3A gene is vital for learning.
When the nerve cells in the brain fire impulses, the activity of the UBE3A gene rises and switches off by itself.
It is this activity that enables us to learn.
When a region in the UBE3A gene is lost or in excess, the learning cycle is affected, resulting in learning difficulties characteristic of people with ASD.
Scientists Zylka and Yi demonstrated that the drug Rolipram suppresses the overactive UBE3A gene.
So, by screening individuals with increased UBE3A gene activity, targeted treatments can be given to alleviate ASD symptoms.
This way, genetic research, and testing can help treat diseases like ASD.
Genetic Testing For Autism: Use Your DNA Raw Data
https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/can-genetics-find-cure-autism/
https://www.science.org/content/article/gene-therapy-ready-treat-some-forms-autism
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4000534/
Autism is a part of a spectrum of disorders and is a complex, life-long developmental condition that affects the brain.
Autism impacts how an individual perceives and socializes with others, often resulting in interaction and communication.
The signs and symptoms of autism usually show up in early infancy or childhood.
Each child with autism shows a unique pattern of symptoms and behavior.
The exact cause of autism is still unknown.
However, studies suggest that genetics and environmental factors can affect one’s risk of developing the condition.
Few risk factors associated with an increased likelihood of one developing autism are:
Studies have also suggested that autism is four times more common in males and females due to genetics.
The effect of genetics on autism has been known since the 1970s. Several studies on twins suggest that autism is inheritable.
Though genetics cannot be solely blamed for autism and ASD, it is a combination of environmental factors that activate the autism gene, resulting in the condition.
For example, environmental factors like exposure to the maternal immune response in the womb or complications at birth may cause autism or intensify its traits.
Abnormal changes in the genes or mutations are known to cause autism. These mutations may be passed directly from the parents or may develop in the individual.
There is no single gene or mutation responsible for autism.
Several genes have been studied concerning autism, including PTEN, ACTL6B, and others.
No single gene can be directly blamed for the development of autism.
In fact, over 100 genes have been studied so far to have strong links to autism and ASD.
Most of these genes are involved in communication between neurons and controlling the expression of other genes.
Several conditions associated with autism arise from mutations in a single gene, including the Fragile X syndrome.
A few autistic individuals show macrocephaly or a larger than normal head for their age.
Extreme macrocephaly in individuals with ASD has been associated with the PTEN or Phosphate and Tensin Homolog gene.
Individuals show overlapping symptoms with PTEN-Hamartoma Tumor Syndromes like polydactyly and pigmented macules on the penis.
The PTEN gene gives instructions for the production of an enzyme that acts as a tumor suppressor (it prevents abnormal and uncontrolled growth and multiplication observed in cancer)
So, autistic individuals with macrocephaly are recommended to undergo PTEN sequencing.
Studies have shown that around 10% to 20% of autistic individuals with macrocephaly show mutations in the PTEN gene.
This gene plays a role in regulating the structure of DNA.
CHD8 is the closest to being an “autism” gene.
It is active both in the brain and in the nerve cells of the gut and contributes to intellectual and gastrointestinal issues in autism.
Prenatal screening of congenital and hereditary conditions is common in most countries worldwide.
Since no single gene is associated with autism, genetic testing for autism and related disorders can be challenging.
However, a few standard genetic tests for syndromes associated with autism, such as the fragile X syndrome, detect if an unborn baby is likely to develop autism in the future.
A new study by Azrieli National Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research researchers in February 2022 stated that a routine ultrasound might help identify the early signs of ASD.
Genetic Testing For Autism: Use Your DNA Raw Data
Have you ever entered a damp, musty room that has been closed for a while or has an earthy smell and instantly began sneezing?
It may be due to a mold allergy!
Mold is a type of tiny fungi found indoors and outdoors.
The most common places to find molds are on dead, decomposing plants, in damp areas indoors, in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or attics.
Fungi release spores as a means of reproduction.
When mold releases its spores into the air, it can trigger an allergy in sensitive people or those prone to allergies.
Sometimes, disturbing a mold can release its spores into the air.
Since molds can be found practically anywhere and in most weather types, mold allergies can occur throughout the year.
Due to this, many people experience aggravated allergies during the rainy months or early spring.
Mold allergy is caused when one inhales airborne spores.
The spores enter the airways and trigger an immune reaction.
The body’s immune system cells produce certain chemicals to neutralize or kill these spores.
This results in allergic reactions.
Mold allergies are also more common in people who are allergic to other substances like dust, pollen, mites, and pet dander or have a family history of allergies.
Molds are of different types, and being allergic to one type does not mean you will be allergic to all molds or fungi.
People in some occupations are more likely to develop a mold allergy.
These include:
The symptoms of mold allergy are similar to those of other allergies.
You can experience symptoms of mold allergy indoors and outdoors.
Some common symptoms include:
Your allergy symptoms may appear immediately or may be delayed.
Like most other allergies, the duration in which mold allergy subsides depends upon your sensitivity to molds.
If you are not sensitive to mold, an allergy might not be long-lasting.
Moving away from a mold-ridden area can prevent aggravation of symptoms.
Medications prescribed by your doctor can also help alleviate symptoms.
Mold allergy can trigger an asthma attack.
Though a high concentration of fungal spores almost always causes asthma in susceptible individuals, studies are still underway to prove the same.
It is important to note that asthma is usually triggered or aggravated in people who have a history of asthma.
Genes can be a factor in susceptibility to mold toxicity leading to serious health challenges.
Those who carry specific changes in certain genes associated with immune responses are at increased risk for mold allergy.
Adenosine deaminase domain-containing protein 1 or ADAD1 gene is located on chromosome 4 and is associated with celiac disease, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.
rs17388568 is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the ADAD1 gene.
People with the A allele of this SNP are at an increased risk of developing allergies to different substances like pollen, dust, cats, mite, etc.
Interleukin 2 or IL2 gene gives instructions to produce a protein that promotes the growth and proliferation of T and B lymphocytes.
rs2069772 is an SNP in the IL2 gene.
People with the C allele of this SNP have a greater risk of developing mold allergy than those with the normal T allele.
Integrin subunit beta 3 or ITGB3 gene gives instructions for producing integrins, a type of protein that regulates cell growth proliferation and signaling.
These proteins are also critical for processes related to inflammation and infection.
rs2056131 is an SNP in the ITGB3 gene.
According to a study, people with the A allele had a lesser risk of developing mold-induced allergy than those with the G allele.
Several factors can increase your risk of developing or aggravating mold allergy. These include:
Allergies can make one miserable.
However, sometimes mold allergies can be severe.
Some common complications that can occur if mold allergy is not treated in time include:
If you experience frequent bouts of allergic symptoms, consult your doctor.
Your doctor may refer you to an allergist or an immunologist who specializes in determining the cause of your allergy symptoms.
After reviewing your medical and symptomatic history, the allergist will recommend blood and skin prick tests.
These tests are routinely used to diagnose mold allergy.
A blood test for mold allergy includes an IgE test that verifies your allergic symptoms.
Skin prick tests are extremely accurate and give results in just a few minutes.
During this test, the allergist will use different types of mold or prick your skin to elicit a skin reaction.
They will determine a treatment plan for you based on the results of this test.
It may also be helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms and monitor what substances are triggering an allergic reaction.
If you suspect you are allergic to mold, the best way to prevent mold allergy is to prevent or reduce exposure.
Here are some ways to reduce your and your family’s exposure to mold:
After evaluating and diagnosing your mold allergy, your doctor will most likely recommend antihistamines and decongestants to help control your symptoms.
You will be advised to wear a mask to avoid the aggravation of your symptoms or if you need to go back to an area with a higher risk of mold exposure.
If you are expecting mold exposure during your work or profession, taking your allergy medication in advance may help.
If you have been to an indoor or outdoor area with greater exposure to mold, it may help to rinse your nose with saline solution.
Get Insights On Common Allergies From Your 23andMe, AncestryDNA Raw Data!
Peaches are stone fruits available in different varieties with white, yellow, or red flesh.
Packed with antioxidants like vitamins C, peaches are a nutritious fruit to include in your diet unless you are allergic to them.
Peach allergy is common and may develop in people either as a true allergy to the fruit or birch-pollen allergy.
Many people who are allergic to birch pollen may develop allergic symptoms on eating peaches due to the similarity in the protein found in both.
True peach allergy arises from the Pru p 3 protein that cross-reacts with birch tree pollen.
When you develop an allergy to two or more unrelated foods because your immune system identifies them as biologically or structurally similar substances, it is called cross-reactivity.
If you are prone to an allergic reaction to peaches or other related fruits and vegetables, you may have oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen food allergy symptoms (PFAS).
This condition is common in around 25% of children with allergic rhinitis.
Stone fruits have a hard seed or pit in the center, surrounded by the juicy or fleshy part of the fruit. These fruits are also called drupes and include:
An allergic reaction to stone foods occurs when your body’s immune system identifies the proteins or other components in the fruits as harmful substances and launches an attack.
During this immune response, the histamine released is responsible for allergy symptoms.
If you are allergic to peach, the chances are that you may be allergic to all members of the Rosaceae family or the stone fruits.
Peaches contain different proteins, each of which can trigger allergic reactions of varying degrees of severity.
Some people are allergic to raw peaches but can eat the fruit when cooked at high temperatures as heating breaks down the allergy-causing proteins.
If you are allergic to the proteins present in the peach skin, peeling will allow you to eat the fruit without developing an allergy.
Understanding what part of the peach triggers an allergic reaction can help you prevent an allergic reaction.
Undergoing a specific IgE test can help you know more about your peach allergy.
Symptoms of peach allergy are similar to allergies to other foods. You may experience:
If you have a severe allergic reaction to peaches, you may develop anaphylaxis, characterized by a rapid drop in blood pressure, constriction of your airways that makes it difficult to breathe, and loss of consciousness.
Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention.
Why we develop allergies to some foods is unknown.
However, genetics is said to play a role in developing a peach allergy.
The Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) system of genes on chromosome 6 gives instructions to produce proteins that regulate the immune system.
There are three classes of HLA genes, namely HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP.
rs2858880 is a single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP in the HLA-DR/DQ gene region.
According to a genome-wide association study (GWAS), people having the A allele of this SNP are at a greater risk of developing peach allergy than those with the T allele.
rs1057149 is also an SNP in the HLA-DRB1 gene region.
People with the T allele of this SNP are at a greater risk of peach allergy than those having the G allele.
| SNP | Risk Allele | Implication |
| rs2858880 | A | Increased risk for peach allergy |
| rs1057149 | T | Increased risk for peach allergy |
If you have been diagnosed with a peach allergy, your doctor will devise a plan to help you manage your symptoms better and prevent a flare-up.
This includes:
If you are allergic to peaches, your doctor may recommend one of the following symptom relief options:
As with most allergies, there is no cure for food allergies.
The treatment for a peach allergy depends on the presenting signs and symptoms.
The best way to prevent peach allergy is to avoid consuming peaches in any form or foods that may contain peaches or other stone fruits.
Cat allergy is a condition that causes allergic symptoms on exposure to cats.
This is a very common problem affecting people all over the world.
About 10-20% of the American population could be allergic to cats and dogs.
Cat allergies seem to be twice more common than dog allergies in the American population.
The immune system is designed to fight harmful substances that come in contact with the body.
In some cases, the immune system may overreact to harmless external substances, triggering allergic reactions.
In the case of cat allergies, it is substances produced in cats' bodies like saliva, dander (skin flakes), and urine that trigger allergies.
These bodily substances contain proteins that the human immune system assumes are dangerous and triggers allergic reactions.
These proteins are called cat allergens.
According to the World Health Organization, there are eight cat allergens identified.
The most important of these allergens is Fel d 1.
This is a secretoglobin protein found in the skin and saliva of cats.
According to experts, this protein is airborne and can remain in the atmosphere even after the cat has left the room.
Two other common allergens are Fel d 4 and Fel d 7.
Both these are lipocalin proteins found in cat saliva.
Here are some of the common symptoms of cat allergy.
The IL1 gene produces a protein called interleukin-1 alpha.
These proteins are found in the immune system and play a role in inflammation and protection from harmful invaders.
The Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) rs10189629 is located within the IL18R1–IL1RL2 gene region.
The A allele of this SNP is considered beneficial/protective against developing cat allergies.
| Allele | Implications |
| A | Lesser chances of developing cat allergies on exposure to cats |
| C | Normal chances of developing cat allergies on exposure to cats |
According to a 2020 study, the males are at an increased risk of producing immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to normal environmental and airborne allergens compared to the females.
This means that sensitization risk is higher in men than in women.
Sensitization is the process of becoming hypersensitive to a stimulus.
In this case, it is the development of allergic symptoms on exposure to cats.
A 2002 study tried to understand the relationship between childhood exposure to cats or dogs and the risk of allergic sensitization.
According to this study, children exposed to two or more cats or dogs within the first year of their life may have a reduced risk of allergy sensitization to multiple allergens produced by these pets.
A 2012 study analyzed the effects of getting a cat for the first time in adults.
This study analyzed 4468 adults who either didn’t own a cat or had bought home a cat for the first time as adults.
According to the study, in people who haven’t been exposed to cats much in their childhood, getting a cat home for the first time in adulthood may double the risk of developing cat sensitization.
There are different ways of diagnosing cat allergies.
In fact, since about 96% of the patients react to only the major cat allergen - the Fel d 1, diagnosing cat allergies is straightforward when compared to diagnosing dog allergies.
Below are ways to diagnose cat allergies.
An allergy prick test is done by pricking a small portion of the skin using a needle and placing a small amount of allergen on that area.
If you are allergic to cats, the area starts showing symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching.
The intradermal test is also similar to a prick test.
However, here, the allergens are deposited under the skin.
This is slightly more sensitive than a prick test to diagnose cat allergy.
The patient’s blood is drawn and sent to the lab for testing.
People whose bodies react to cat allergens develop immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which can be detected in the blood.
This is safer for those worried about developing extreme skin sensitivities from the first two methods.
However, these should not be used frequently and without consulting your doctor.
Prescription antihistamines and corticosteroid sprays can both be given in combination to deal with chronic allergy symptoms.
Allergy shots contain very small amounts of the allergens and slowly help desensitize the immune system to prevent allergy triggers.
The easiest way to prevent an allergic trigger is to avoid exposure.
If you don’t have cats yet, do not bring them home.
Avoid visiting homes that have cats.
If you must, wear protective masks and avoid touching the pets.
Upholstery is padded textiles that cover furniture to make them soft and comfortable.
These trap cat allergens very easily, and when you sit on or use such upholstery in houses with cats, your risk of exposure increases.
Low-lying carpets and rugs also trap cat allergens and retain them.
If you own cats, avoid using carpets and rugs.
If you must, then make sure these are cleaned regularly to bring down exposure.
You could try and restrict your cat’s movement to specific rooms.
This way, you will have safer spaces to be in during an allergic trigger.
If you are allergic to cats, avoid having them in your bedroom.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles in the atmosphere.
In families with both cats and cat allergic individuals, using these filters may help reduce the frequency of allergic triggers.
If you love cats but are allergic to them, wear masks and protective gloves while petting them.
Also, make sure you change your clothes once you are done petting.
Do avoid bringing the cat close to the face while playing with them.
Cats have to be groomed regularly to prevent the risk of allergic exposure.
Grooming includes:
https://www.aafa.org/pet-dog-cat-allergies/
https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/cats#treatment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5891966/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5809771/
https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219821011429
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26220530/
