People with Down’s syndrome live longer, but still die young

Janet Chachuk is aware that her diagnosis of Down’s syndrome means that she is more at risk of contracting Alzheimer’s disease at a younger age than the average.

I worry all the timeshe said in an interview with her home in Alberton, on the Prince Edward Island. Consequently, But she does everything as possible to try to warn such a scenario. Nevertheless, I am a diet, I sleep, I do the exerciseshe continues.

I spend time with friends and I do brain exercisesshe said. Similarly, His favorite is the search for words. Furthermore, It also remains active by working on a ranch offering therapeutic riding, among others.

At 42, Ms. Meanwhile, Chachuk is part of a growing group of people with Down’s syndrome that survive to adulthood. Moreover, A recent people down’s syndrome live longer, study determined that 22,367 people in Canada lived with a development disorder in 2020. Meanwhile, 30 % of them were over 40 years old, like Janet Chachuk.

In Canada, The life expectancy of a person with Down’s syndrome (or Down syndrome) is around 60 yearsexplains Dr. Nevertheless, Brian Skotko, one of the main authors of the study published in the journal Genetics in Medicine.

This is a significant increase compared to the average of 53 years in 1970. but at 60 years old, the average life expectancy of people with Down’s syndrome is much lower than that of the rest of the population, which is 82 years.

For people with Down’s syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease is the main responsible for this shortest life expectancy, says Dr. Brian Skotko. The disease can cause falls, memory losses and suffocation.

An additional people down’s syndrome live longer, chromosome

People with Down’s syndrome have an additional chromosome to the 21st pair. which is also a chromosome associated with the amyloid plaque, which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease, explains Dr. Brian Skotko, director of the Downy 21 program at the General Hospital of Massachusetts, in Boston.

The study is part of an effort carried out by the doctor in order to better understand the. position of the population affected by syndrome. The co-author of the study. Laura Lachance, Director General of the Canadian Society of Down Syndrome, notes that researchers notably want to understand how to support people with Down’s syndrome.

Since people with Down’s syndrome did not have a long life expectancy before. the system still deals with developmental disorder as a pediatric issue.

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Some doctors. activists seek to reverse the steam by educating health professionals more, who offer primary care about the links between people down’s syndrome live longer, Down’s syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions with people with Down’s syndrome may be confronted.

Adults with Down’s syndrome may not communicate their symptoms clearly. visit a doctor quickly, so prevention care is very importantnote Heidi Diepstra, who directs the primary care program for people with developmental disorders to the organization Surrey Place of Toronto.

Although annual health assessments are no longer recommended for the general population in several provinces. they are essential for people with Down syndrome, says Heidi Diepstra.

Care that has improved

DRE LIZ GRIER. a family doctor and medical director of Ongwanada Developmental Services, in Kingston, notes that physical and emotional care for adults with Down’s syndrome have improved over time, which has increased life expectancy.

But she also believes that the care offered to people with development disorder can still improve. people down’s syndrome live longer, which could prolong their life expectancy. Family members. caregivers must therefore be on the lookout for the physical and psychological symptoms of people with Down’s syndrome, such as primary care providers.

Even the risk of Alzheimer’s disease can be treated to a certain extent, explains the Dr. Liz Grier. Sufficient consumption of vitamin B12 as well as treatment for sleep apnea can help, she says.

Offer people with Down’s syndrome fulfilled and stimulating is also a crucial element to prevent dementia, she says. Keep your brain active. healthy thanks to the vitamins and nutrients required and remain active: all these elements contributeshe said.