Family Health History

My paternal and maternal grandparents’ health history has provided me a knowledgeable background of my family and health history. I have learned some interesting information about my family’s health history from the family tree I created. Chong Nhia Vang, my paternal grandfather, was born healthy and now he has dementia/Alzheimer’s due to aging. He also has hearing loss. It is likely not a coincidence that one of my paternal uncles, Rauj Vang, also has dementia/Alzheimer’s at a younger age than my grandpa. Moreover, my dad’s youngest brother, Ger Vang, was the only one born with Down syndrome (DS), which is rare in the family tree. Now he was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. Next, my maternal grandparents had no health issues at birth, but they
Symptoms of Down syndrome vary, but the most common symptoms are decreased muscle tone and loose joints, upward slant of the eyes, flattened face, and depressed nasal bridge with smaller nose. It also includes mental retardation, small mouth, and abnormally-shaped ears (Christianson). Other features include big toes (a wide space between the big and the second toes), abnormal pattern of fingerprint and short fingers (Asim). Some children with Down syndrome also have visual, hearing, heart, and gastrointestinal problems. Down syndrome is associated with a high risk of stroke, expressed across all ages. “[For instance,] Ischemic stroke risk in [children with] DS appears mostly driven by cardio embolic risk. The greater risk of hemorrhagic stroke and lower risk of coronary events (in males) in DS remain unexplained” Sobey points out. Nonetheless, doctors are uncertain with exact statistics to illustrate their point in regards to their findings. Even though there are many diseases and conditions associated with individuals born with Down syndrome, there are ways to treat and prevent these conditions. Asim adds, “Down syndrome is one of the most leading causes of intellectual disability and millions of these patients face various health issues including learning and memory…” Many of these diseases and conditions can be corrected and treated through medical
Each year, about 6,000 babies born in the United States have Down syndrome. This means that Down syndrome occurs in about 1 out of every 700 babies. While the likelihood of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome increases with maternal age, 80% of babies with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age, as women in that age group give birth to more babies overall. There is a wide variation in cognitive abilities, behavior, and physical development in individuals with Down syndrome. Each individual has his/her own unique personality, capabilities and talents. Although, Down syndrome is a lifelong condition, there are services available to help babies and children with Down syndrome improve their physical and intellectual abilities. Individuals with Down syndrome benefit from numerous things such as loving homes, wide-range education, and positive public attitudes. In adulthood, with social support, some people with Down syndrome hold jobs, live independently and enjoy recreational opportunities in their