What is elhers danlos sydrome?

Answer 1

What Is It?

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (A-lerz-DAN-los SIN-drome) describes a group of hereditary disorders which mainly affect the skin and joints, but may affect other organs. EDS affects the connective tissues -- the tissues that support various parts of the body such as skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. In EDS, the fibrous protein collagen is faulty, causing the connective tissue to not be elastic or strong.

What Are the Symptoms?

There are 9 types of EDS and symptoms differ depending on the type of EDS. Type I and III have the following:

Skin problems, include fragile skin that bruises or tears; soft skin, and slow-healing wounds.
Joint problems, including loose, unstable joints; "double-jointed" or overextension of the joints; arthritis-like problems.
Other types may have these symptoms:

Lung problems; weak blood vessels; eye problems; curvature of the spine; gum diseases; problems with blood clotting.
How Is It Diagnosed?

A review of family and medical history.
Physical exam, checking for joint overextension.
Skin biopsy may be performed to study chemical makeup of connective tissue.
Treatment Options

Diet - to reduce weight
Vitamin C
Exercise
Eye treatments
Joint protection
Protection from the sun
Surgery to correct fractures or dislocated joints

Answer 2

Individuals 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.

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders, characterized by articular (joint) hypermobility, skin extensibility and tissue fragility. There are six major types of EDS. The different types of EDS are classified according to their manifestations of signs and symptoms. Each type of EDS is a distinct disorder that "runs true" in a family. This means that an individual with Vascular Type EDS will not have a child with Classical Type EDS.

Answer 3

I was diagnosed with EDS when I was a kid. It affects connective tissues and joints. I often get achy joints and my joints can sublux and dislocate easily. It is not infectious but is usually genetic. Both my maternal grandparents have it and my mum has it and all of her children have it. My son may have it but it is too early to tell yet (he is only 14 months old). I think it is usually inherited from the mother.
There is no cure for it but, depending on which type you have, you can usually live with it pretty easily, as long as you take care of yourself.