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For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.

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"Fatty Liver Disease" in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points A condition previously called fatty liver disease, now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is a liver condition in which excess fat accumulates

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Ulcers in the Esophagus, Stomach, and Small Intestine in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Ulcers are open sores in the gastrointestinal tract. They are commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection but anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen) may also contribu

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Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is any bleeding that occurs in the digestive or GI tract. Medical problems in the GI tract can cause GI bleeding. Medical problems that start in other parts o

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of a group of disorders related to the interaction between the gut and the brain (nervous system). IBS is probably more common in people with Down synd

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Use of Probiotics by People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms (e.g., bacteria). Probiotics can be ingested by eating certain foods (e.g., yogurt) or by taking a supplement. While the

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Gastrointestinal Health of People with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (May 2025)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD, Medical Director of the Adult Down Syndrome Center.  Description: People with Down syndrome have several differenc

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Constipation in Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Constipation is a decrease in the normal volume of bowel movements (poop).  Constipation is more common in people with Down syndrome. There are several means of reducing constipati

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Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Swallowing is a complex function that consists of some steps that require us to think about them and other steps that do not require us to think about them. Normal swallowing of food and dr

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Adapting Activities for Older Adults with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (3/13/2025)

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Senior Occupational Therapist, Adult Down Syndrome Center

The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L, Senior Occupational Therapist at the Adult Down Syndrome Center.  Description: As adults with Down syndrome a

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Life Expectancy, Aging, and the Down Syndrome Population

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome is between 50 and 60 years of age.  The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome increased dramatically during the 20th century

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Healthy Aging in Adults with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (10/24/2024)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD and Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD, and Hannah Graham, MD, on October 24, 2024. Description:  Individuals with Down syndrome are living longer and hea

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Celiac Disease Visuals

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center - Resource List

What is Celiac Disease?     Gluten-Free Foods     Eating Gluten-Free at Parties     Eating Gluten-Free at Restaurants     Additi

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Gallstones in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points The gallbladder is an important organ for the digestion of food. Stones in the gallbladder (gallstones) are more common in people with Down syndrome. While the stones often do not cause sym

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Hernias

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Hernias are defects in the connective tissue of the abdominal wall which allow tissue within the abdominal cavity to protrude. Often hernias do not require treatment. They can be monitored,

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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? RSV is a virus that causes a common respiratory infection. The infection is usually mild and causes cold-like symptoms. People usually recover in a week or t

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Information on COVID-19 Booster Shots from the Adult Down Syndrome Center

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD, Erin Dominiak, MD, Hannah Graham, MD, and Farah Chaus, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

UPDATED MAY 2024 Recommendation The physicians at the Adult Down Syndrome Center recommend that individuals with Down syndrome ages 12 years and older who do not have a contraindication follo

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Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening for Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Breast cancer is less common in women with Down syndrome compared to women without Down syndrome. Currently, the recommendations for breast cancer screening are the same for women with and

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Measles and Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Measles is a highly contagious infection. It can have very serious complications. There has been a recent increase in measles infections.  Little is known about measles infection s

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Increased Need for Services and Support

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points For people with and without Down syndrome, our needs may change as we age and/or develop health issues. The change in the needs may be temporary or permanent. There are a variety of ways to

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Prostate Cancer Screening in Men with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points on Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. There is uncertainty about the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening for men.&nb

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Dysgerminomas in Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points A dysgerminoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs in a woman's ovary. There is limited research on dysgerminomas in women with Down syndrome. It is not clear if dysgerminomas a

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Activities You Can Do at Home

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center - Resource List

Are you looking for suggestions of activities you can do at home? We have compiled a list of some ideas below! There are ideas for arts and crafts , cooking , education/learning , fitness and physical

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Advance Directives - Forms for Illinois Residents

Author: Illinois Department of Public Health - Link

An advance directive is a written statement you prepare that expresses how you want medical decisions made in the future should you not be able to make them yourself. Illinois law allows you

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Author: Allison Schnitzler, MD and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Key Points Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is also known as heartburn or reflux. GERD is common in people with Down syndrome (DS). There are a variety of things that can be done at home to redu

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Please note: The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for a medical, psychiatric, mental health, or behavioral evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment plan by a qualified professional. We recommend you review the educational material with your health providers regarding the specifics of your health care needs.

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