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

Duration: 8 ms, Number of Results: 31

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Urinary Retention

Author: Agni Vlahos, MD and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine

Key Points Urinary retention is the build-up of excessive urine in the bladder. It appears to be more common in people with Down syndrome. A common reason for urinary retention in people with Down syn

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

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

Key Points Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and/or kidneys. People with Down syndrome have risk factors for getting a UTI due to issues related to not e

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

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

Keratoconus in People with Down Syndrome

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

We received a question about treatment of keratoconus in people with Down syndrome.  What is keratoconus? Keratoconus is an eye condition in which the cornea (the clear part in the front of t

Diagnostic Overshadowing: "All Is Not Down Syndrome"

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

Many families have reported that, when they have told a health care provider about a symptom their loved one with Down syndrome is experiencing, the provider has, in effect, said, “It is jus

Considering Dignity of Risk in the Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Clinical Perspective

Author: Chicoine & Kirschner - Perspectives in Biology and Medicine (2022)

Abstract The dignity of risk implies respect for individuals' right to make their own decisions, to participate in a broad range of desired activities, even if those activities have risk, and

Menopause in Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

What is menopause? Menopause is the point in a woman’s life when she no longer has menstrual cycles. It typically occurs when a woman is in her late 40s to 50s and is diagnosed afte

Common Symptoms Associated with Menstruation (Periods)

Author: Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

Many women with Down syndrome experience symptoms associated with their period. When those symptoms are consistent or more severe, women are sometimes diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or pre

PMS and PMDD in Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are psychological and physical symptoms which are related to hormone changes that occur during a woman's menstrual cycle.

Down Syndrome EyeWiki

Author: American Academy of Ophthalmology - Eye Encyclopedia

EyeWiki is an Eye Encyclopedia developed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology with content contributed by ophthalmologists (eye physicians and surgeons). There is a Down syndrome page wit

Birth Control in Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

Birth control encompasses a wide range of strategies and medications used to prevent pregnancy. Besides preventing pregnancy, some of the medications may be used to treat other common symptoms of mens

Menstrual Hygiene

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L and Hannah Graham, MD - Adult Down Syndrome Center

One topic that comes up frequently at the Adult Down Syndrome Center is menstrual hygiene. Women with Down syndrome and their caregivers often ask us about strategies to make periods easier or even to

Surgery to Correct Eye Crossing (Strabismus)

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

We were asked about recurrence of strabismus that had been corrected by surgery in childhood. Strabismus is crossing of the eyes. The eyes of an individual with strabismus are not lined up properly an

Kidney Function in People with Down Syndrome

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

We frequently see that the lab values of kidney function of people with Down syndrome (DS) we evaluate at our Center are mildly abnormal. The kidney function is slightly decreased compared to what is

Pelvic Exam Social Story

Author: PA ASERT and SexEdVA - Resource List

The social stories linked below are intended to help individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental or intellectual disabilities prepare for and feel more comfortable with getting a pelvic exa

Benefits and Harms of Mammography Screening for Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Alagoz et al. - Journal of General Internal Medicine (2019)

Abstract Background:  Women with Down syndrome have a lower breast cancer risk and significantly lower life expectancies than women without Down syndrome. Therefore, it is not clear whether m

Effect of Menopause on Cognition in Women with Down Syndrome?

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

What is the effect of menopause on cognition in women with Down syndrome? Menopause , defined as the cessation of menses (periods) for 12 months, occurs at a slightly younger age in women with Down sy

Vision in Adults with Down Syndrome

Author: Lalithasree Chintam, MD - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

People with Down syndrome (DS) experience many of the common eye problems that people without DS experience. Some people with DS experience these common eye problems more frequently and/or at an earli

Mammograms

Author: Sravanthi Paritala, MD - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

What is a mammogram? A mammogram is a special type of x-ray that looks for breast cancer, which is the most common cancer among women. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recomme

Osteoporosis and Osteopenia: Low Bone Density

Author: Kevin Conley, MD - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are conditions where bones become more brittle and prone to breaking. Osteopenia is the less severe form and a signal to work on improving bone health. Anyone can develop t

Breast Cancer Screening for Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Chicoine et al. - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2015)

Abstract This study examined mammogram reports of women with Down syndrome (DS) treated in the largest medical facility specifically serving adults with DS in the United States. Records of 684 women a

Rate of Urinary Retention in Adults with Down Syndrome

Author: Chicoine & Sulo - Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (2015)

Abstract Purpose:  Down syndrome (DS) is associated with a higher incidence of many medical conditions, but little information regarding urinary retention exists. We assessed the urinary rete

Modeling, Imitation, and Mutual Participation

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

Observing someone demonstrate appropriate behavior, watching a parent or friend model healthy activity, or having a mentor to observe and imitate are all ways we learn a variety of healthy behaviors i

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