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

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Duration: 8 ms, Number of Results: 60

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Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

Author: Ima V. Jonkheer, DO and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Key Points  The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system. It is a gland that is in the neck. Thyroid function affects or has an impact on many body functions and, therefore, abnormal thy

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Tremors in People with Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Tremors are repetitive involuntary movements. Tremors can be mild and cause limited disruption or more severe and restricting. There are many causes for tremors. An evaluation by a health p

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Reducing Risk of Getting Alzheimer's Disease

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

Key Points Alzheimer's disease is more common in people with Down syndrome. Presently, we do not know how to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease. We may lower the risk of developing Al

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Support Groups for Caregivers of Individuals with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease

Author: Various Organizations - Resource List

Alzheimer’s disease not only impacts the individual with the disease but also the individual’s family, friends, and caregivers. Several organizations provide in-person, online, and

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Common Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Decline in a Longitudinal Down Syndrome Cohort

Author: Idris et al. - BJPsych Open (2023)

Abstract Background:  Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and Alzheimer's disease. In the general population, common mental disorders (CMDs), inc

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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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Celiac Disease

Author: Robert Campbell, DO and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Key Points Celiac disease is caused by a sensitivity to gluten. It is more common in people with Down syndrome. It can be diagnosed through an assessment including a history, physical, blood work, and

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Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures or Fake Seizures

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

We periodically get asked questions about “fake seizures.” They have also been called “pseudo-seizures” but are now more accurately called non-epileptic seizure

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Getting an EEG Visual

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

This Getting an EEG visual  explains what happens when we have an electroencephalogram (EEG) done. It can help individuals with Down syndrome know what to expect when going for an EEG. Additi

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Weight Loss and Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome

Author: Fleming et al. - Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2023)

Abstract Background:  Virtually all adults with Down syndrome (DS) develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, but research gaps remain in understanding early signs of AD in DS. Objec

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Agitated or Challenging Behavior in People with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease

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

Agitated or challenging behavior can be a symptom that people with Down syndrome (DS) who have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can have. When it occurs, careful assessment is important. An evaluati

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Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

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

What is hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar or low glucose. Blood sugar or glucose levels can be measured with a blood test. Healthcare providers make the diagnosis of h

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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD, and Dennis McGuire, PhD, LCSW - Adult Down Syndrome Center

*This article was adapted from  Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges, 2nd Edition . What is attention-deficit/hyperactivi

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Alzheimer's Disease Story

Author: Abby Rowley, LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Adult Down Syndrome Center

The stories linked below were developed to help individuals with Down syndrome understand what Alzheimer's disease is and how Alzheimer's disease may affect someone i

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Taking My Thyroid Medication Visual

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

Several endocrine conditions, including hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), are more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Tirosint,

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Constipation in Down Syndrome

Author: Samantha Ghanayem-Bouikidis, MD and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Video Watch a video clip about constipation  from our webinar At-Home Treatments for Common Health Conditions.   Constipation is a common problem in people with Down syndrom

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Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Healthy Aging in People with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (5/18/2022)

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

Title:  Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Healthy Aging in People with Down Syndrome Date:  May 18, 2022 Presenter:  Brian Chicoine, MD Host Organization:  

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cerebrovascular Disease, and Amyloid in Older Adults with Down Syndrome Across the Alzheimer's Continuum

Author: Lao et al. - Sleep Advances: A Journal of the Sleep Research Society (2022)

Abstract We determined the extent to which obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cerebrovascular disease and amyloid burden, and the relation of the two processes across clinical

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Association of Alzheimer Disease with Life Expectancy in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Iulita et al. - JAMA Network Open (2022)

Abstract Importance:  People with Down syndrome have a high risk of developing Alzheimer disease dementia. However, penetrance and age at onset are considered variable, and the association of

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Loss of Skills and Alzheimer's Disease

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - "Ask Dr. Chicoine" LuMind IDSC Foundation

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of cognitive impairment and decline in skills that is more common in people with Down syndrome. It is one, but not the only, type of cognitive impairment. In fa

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a health issue in the intestines (bowels). It is not clear how common it is in people with Down syndrome (DS).  However, we suspect that IBS is more common i

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How is Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosed in a Person with Down Syndrome?

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

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological condition. It is a type of dementia (more information about dementia is available on the National Institute on Aging website &n

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Prevalence of Endocrine Disorders Among 6078 Individuals with Down Syndrome in the United States

Author: Rivelli et al. - Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Abstract Findings from a recent study describing prevalence of common disease conditions in the largest documented cohort of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) in the United States strongly suggested

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Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia)

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

Swallowing problems (dysphagia) are common in people with Down syndrome (DS). In our large cohort study that reviewed health data from people cared for within Advocate Health, swallowing problems were

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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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