20 Things About Down Syndrome You Wish You Knew Sooner

Down Syndrome is a serious health condition that affects only approximately 0.1% of the world population. In most cases, Down Syndrome is considered to be a genetic disorder that takes place due to an extra chromosome 21, although sometimes this mutation can happen without any genetic factors being present at all.

Symptoms of the condition are varied, although generally include some mental disability, occasionally a lowered IQ that measures around 50 points.

It’s believed that there are no external factors that can increase the probability of developing Down’s Syndrome or not, and that it’s a genetic gamble – although sometimes, children from an older mother closer to menopause can be a factor that can trigger the genetic mutation that causes Down Syndrome to happen.

Here are the essential 8 things about Down Syndrome you might wish you knew sooner.

1. Sleep Apnea Occurs in Half of Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome is characterized by a range of outward physical symptoms that can include flattening of the head as well as narrowing of the eyes; the physical symptoms of Down Syndrome can also include a range of others, such as an enlarged tongue or cleft lip.

It’s the enlarged tongue and smaller mouth that presents one of the biggest dangers for those who suffer from Down Syndrome; this makes people diagnosed with the syndrome far more likely to experience sleep apnea.

This is more commonly known as the ceasing of breathing during sleep, something which requires the therapeutic use of a C-PAP machine in order to assist with breathing – if not, sleep apnea can be an unfortunately fatal symptom.

This is something that requires consistent monitoring to ensure that it doesn’t turn into a larger problem that goes hand in hand with Down Syndrome and some types of breathing disorders.