People with EDS have a defect in their connective tissue, the tissue that provides support to many body parts such as the skin, muscles and ligaments. The fragile skin and unstable joints found in EDS are the result of faulty collagen. Collagen is a protein, which acts as a glue in the body, adding strength and elasticity to connective tissue. 80% of the body is collagen. EDS affects every system in the body.
EDS is a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders, characterized by joint hypermobility, skin extensibility and tissue fragility.
Features of EDS
Joints
joint hypermobility; loose/unstable joints which are prone to frequent dislocations and/or subluxations; joint pain; hyperextensible joints (they move beyond the joint's normal range); very early onset of osteoarthritis.
Skin
soft velvety-like skin; variable skin hyper-extensibility; fragile skin that tears or bruises easily (bruising may be severe); severe scarring; slow and poor wound healing
Miscellaneous
chronic, early onset, debilitating musculoskeletal pain, arterial/intestinal/uterine fragility or rupture,scleral fragility, poor muscle tone, mitral valve prolapse, and gum disease.
Other Complications
Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Dysautonomia, Gastrointestinal problems, IBS, Bleeding Problems,
Blood Pressure problems, Organ prolapse, Headaches, Dizziness, Vertigo, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Chiari,
Problems with EDS seem vague and UN-related. Doctors and patients rarely make the connection that many different complaints are coming from one problem. Many doctors have never heard of EDS and most who have don't understand it, they think it only makes you flexible or gives you strechy skin. Most sufferers go years and even entire lifetimes with no proper diagnosis. It is important to see a geneticist who is educated in conective tissue disorders & Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
For more information please visit EDNF.ORG
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connective tissue also includes blood, muscle fascia and lymph BTW in addition to what they list here