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

Duration: 7 ms, Number of Results: 27

Showing 1 - 24 of 27
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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

Hypertension and Hypotension

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

Key Points  The blood pressure of people with Down syndrome tends to be on the lower side. High blood pressure (hypertension) is much less common in people with Down syndrome. Blood pressures

Changes in Gait (Ambulation, Walking)

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

Key Points A change in gait (walking) is a change seen in many people with Down syndrome. There are many possible causes for those changes. Family or other observers can play a critical role in assess

Regression in Persons with Down Syndrome

Author: Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group - USA - Current Consensus Update for Families

Regression in Persons with Down Syndrome: Current Consensus Update for Families   The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group - USA (DSMIG-USA) developed a consensus update for families on Down

Regression & Down Syndrome

Author: National Down Syndrome Society - Website

The Regression & Down Syndrome page  on the National Down Syndrome Society's website has information about Down syndrome regression disorder including symptoms, treatment, and

Mann Method PT Exercises

Author: Mann et al. - Mann Method Physical Therapy and Fitness

The Mann Method PT Exercise Program - Prescription Chart    contains a list of exercises developed for people with Down syndrome. The list includes foundational exercises, hip streng

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

Acrocyanosis

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

What is acrocyanosis? Acrocyanosis is the bluish discoloration of the extremities (usually the hands and/or feet) due to decreased oxygen being delivered to those areas. The small blood vessels in the

Decline in Skills and Regression in Adolescents and Adults with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (8/31/2022)

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

The video below is a recording of a webinar presented by Brian Chicoine, MD of the Adult Down Syndrome Center. Individuals with Down syndrome may experience decline in skills for many reasons

Electroconvulsive Therapy, Catatonia, and Regression in People with Down Syndrome

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

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment that involves sedating an individual with anesthesia and then inducing a seizure with a short electrical stimulation of the brain (more information can b

Warning Signs a Person with Down Syndrome is Getting Overheated

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

Exercise is important for people with Down syndrome just as it is for all people. For all people, care must be taken to avoid overdoing it with exercise. Excessive sweating can be a sign to ease back,

When Veins Don't Work

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

What is the vascular system? Our vascular system includes blood vessels (including veins, arteries, and smaller blood vessels) as well as the heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart towards th

Gout in People with Down Syndrome

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

Gout is more common in people with Down syndrome (DS) (as indicated by the studies at this link  and this link ). Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by

Possible Causes of Regression in People with Down Syndrome during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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

We received a question about a man with Down syndrome in his late 30s. His family shared that he developed catatonia, was hearing people speaking in his head, and lost a significant amount of weight.

Regression in Down Syndrome Support Group

Author: Eileen Quinn, MD - Moderator

The link below takes you to a closed Facebook page for families, caregivers, and professionals who support individuals with Down syndrome who have experienced or are experiencing regression. If you cl

Does TSH tell the whole story?

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

Thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are more common in people with Down syndrome. Current guidelines for adults with Down syndrome

Refusal to Eat Solid Foods

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

We received a question about a person with Down syndrome who was refusing to eat solids. He was found to have dental disease. He needed several fillings and had a couple baby teeth removed. The dentis

Vasovagal Syncope (Fainting)

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

What is vasovagal syncope?  Vasovagal syncope is what we commonly think of as fainting in response to emotional upset or pain. Chen-Scarabelli and Scarabelli (2004) define it as “a

Use of Aspirin to Prevent Heart Attacks

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

We were sent a question about the use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks in people with Down syndrome. We have provided some information below. Please note that this information is for educational pu

Strength Training in Adults with Down Syndrome

Author: Maura Fitzpatrick-Kissick, DO - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Before starting an exercise program, we recommend discussing it with your health care provider. Strength is one part of fitness that helps keep you healthy and strong. Strength can h

Diabetes in Adults with Down Syndrome

Author: Chuan-Li Fan, DO - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease marked by the inability of the body to regulate sugars through insulin. Either the body does not produce enough insulin in the pancreas to help the body absorb suga

Exercise in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Kyle Yost, DO - Family Medicine Resident, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

In the United States, obesity is on the rise. This is also true for individuals with Down syndrome. Individuals with Down syndrome are at a higher risk of becoming obese compared to the general popula

Thyroid, Weight, and Metabolism

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

We were sent a question about thyroid, weight, and metabolism in people with Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome more commonly have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), one symptom of which is w

Down Syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, and Bicuspid Aortic Valve

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

We were sent a question about Down syndrome and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and Bicuspid Aortic Valve. WPW is a heart condition in which there is an extra electrical pathway in the heart. The

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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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