Why do people with Down syndrome have dysphagia?
Factors contributing to the risk for swallowing problems in this population include hypotonia, oral motor and oral sensory dysfunction, and airway and GI anomalies such as laryngeal cleft and esophageal stenosis.
What do adults with Down syndrome struggle with?
As adults with Down syndrome grow older, there is increased risk of experiencing certain common mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and behavioral disturbances. A sudden or abrupt change in mood or behavior patterns warrants further investigation.
What are the symptoms of Down syndrome in adults?
Some common physical features of Down syndrome include:
- A flattened face, especially the bridge of the nose.
- Almond-shaped eyes that slant up.
- A short neck.
- Small ears.
- A tongue that tends to stick out of the mouth.
- Tiny white spots on the iris (colored part) of the eye.
- Small hands and feet.
Why does Down syndrome cause weight gain?
Summary: Children with Down syndrome are more likely than their unaffected siblings to have higher levels of a hormone associated with obesity, according to pediatric researchers. The hormone, leptin, may contribute to the known higher risk of obesity among children and adults with Down syndrome.
Is dysphagia common in Down syndrome?
Research shows that more than 50 percent of children with down syndrome who are referred for a swallow study are identified with swallowing problems, also known as dysphagia.
Can people with Down’s syndrome live independently?
Misconception: Adults who have Down syndrome cannot live independently or get jobs. Reality: An increasing number of adults with Down syndrome in the U.S. are living independently with limited assistance from family members or the state. A small percentage are able to live entirely independently.
How does a person with Down syndrome act?
Down syndrome also affects a person’s ability to think, reason, understand, and be social. The effects range from mild to moderate. Children with Down syndrome often take longer to reach important goals like crawling, walking, and talking.
What diseases cause swallowing problems?
A wide range of diseases can cause swallowing problems, which your doctor may call dysphagia. These include: Disturbances of the brain such as those caused by Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig ‘s disease) Oral or pharynx muscle dysfunction from a stroke.
How is dysphagia diagnosed?
Tests to diagnose Dysphagia. There are several endoscopic tests used to diagnose dysphagia, including an upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD), esophageal manometry, esophagram (barium swallow test), and imaging scans.
What is the treatment for difficulty swallowing?
Some of the best natural treatments for difficulty swallowing include acupuncture, diet changes, oral-motor exercises, postural adjustments, thickened liquids, and swallow maneuvers. If these therapies aren’t helping, a feeding tube may become the best course of action.
