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Duration: 13 ms, Number of Results: 29

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Pneumonia in People with Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Lungs are vital organs in the movement of oxygen into the body and the removal of carbon dioxide. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Pneumonia is more common in people with Down syndro

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Elevated Red Blood Cell Count (Polycythemia)

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

Key Points Red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.  An elevated red blood cell count (polycythemia) occurs when there is an excess of red blood cells in the bloods

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Iron Deficiency and Down Syndrome

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

Key Points Iron deficiency occurs when a person does not have enough iron in their body. Iron deficiency anemia is the low red blood cell count that results from that deficiency. A complete blood coun

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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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Cerumen Impaction (Ear Wax Buildup)

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

Key Points Cerumen impaction is obstruction of the ear canal with ear wax. It is a problem that is more common in people with Down syndrome. There are treatments that can be done at home to prevent an

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Hearing Loss in Adults with Down Syndrome

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

Overview of hearing loss Hearing involves several steps as the sound passes from the ear to the brain. The ear is divided into three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ear. Hearing impairment, which

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Cholesteatomas

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

What are cholesteatomas? A  cholesteatoma is a collection of skin cells that become more fibrous and build up in the middle ear (where the small bones are that are part of our hearing mechani

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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

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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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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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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

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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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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

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Use of Probiotics by People with Down Syndrome

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center - Resource

What are probiotics? Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms (e.g., bacteria). Foods with labels that say "live and active cultures" contain probiotics.

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Liver Fibrosis

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

Fibrosis of the liver can be thought of as a "scar" in the liver that results from chronic liver injury. It is similar to scarring that may form on the skin or in the lung or other o

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Treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease with Surgery

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

We were asked about surgical options for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD occurs when stomach contents, including acid, go "backwards" from the stomach up into t

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Lactose Intolerance

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

People with Down syndrome can experience a variety of gastrointestinal issues. One of them is intolerance to foods containing lactose. Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products like milk and ice crea

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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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Low White Blood Cell Count

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

What is the significance of a low white blood cell count (neutropenia)? We commonly find that our adult patients with Down syndrome have a mildly reduced white blood cell count. What does it mean? Wha

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Elevated Globulin

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

Globulins are antibodies (found and measured in the blood) that are elevated in inflammatory conditions, infections, and some cancers. We often find the globulin level to be elevated in people with Do

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People First

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

When we started the clinic, families spoke to us about what they needed as well as what they expected and what was most likely to help us connect with families and people with Down syndrome. One of th

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MCH and MCV

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

We received a question about MCH and MCV. The question concerned an individual with Down syndrome who had a high MCH and MCV. MCH is mean corpuscular hemoglobin (the average amount of hemoglobin in th

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Memorial/Life Celebration

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

I spoke at a patient’s memorial/life celebration a few days ago and I would like to share some of my words. I would like to go back to 1954, the year Don was born. Life expectancy of a perso

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