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

Duration: 16 ms, Number of Results: 29

Showing 1 - 24 of 29
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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

Urinary Incontinence

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

Key Points Urinary incontinence or urinary "accidents" are more common in people with Down syndrome. There are many potential causes.  The inability to empty the bladder com

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

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

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

Supporting Healthy Sexuality for Individuals with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (11/16/2022)

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

This is a recording of a webinar presented by Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L of the Adult Down Syndrome Center in Park Ridge, IL. We know that having healthy relationships benefits the physical, mental, and

Planet Puberty

Author: Family Planning NSW - Digital Resource (Australia)

Planet Puberty is a resource designed to guide parents of individuals with intellectual disabilities through their child's puberty journey. Topics include the body, feeling good, relationships

Supporting Healthy Sexuality for Your Loved One with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (6/15/2022)

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - North Carolina Down Syndrome Virtual Speaker Series

On June 15, 2022, the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance hosted a webinar called "Supporting Healthy Sexuality for Your Loved One with Down Syndrome" presented by Katie Frank, PhD

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.

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

An Introduction to Benefits: Federal and State Programs Available in Illinois

Author: Suzanne Aaron, Information & Outreach Specialist - The Arc of Illinois, Illinois Life Span Program

In January 2022, Suzanne Aaron, an information & outreach specialist from the Illinois Life Span Program of the Arc of Illinois, presented a webinar called "An Introduction t

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

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

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

An Introduction to Developmental Disability Resources, Organizations, and Terms - Webinar Slides

Author: The Arc of Illinois - Presentation

In May 2021, the Arc of Illinois hosted a webinar called, "An Introduction to Developmental Disability Resources, Organizations, and Terms." It was a webinar for family members and c

Resource List for Sexual Assault and/or Abuse

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center

This is a list of resources primarily for individuals in the Chicagoland area.

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

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

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

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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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