Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited conditions. These conditions affect the body's connective tissues. Connective tissues are like the "glue" that holds everything together, providing strength and flexibility to skin, joints, and blood vessels. Think of it like a strong, stretchy fabric that supports your body. People with EDS often have overly flexible joints and skin that is very stretchy and easily damaged.

This flexible skin can be a problem if you need stitches. The skin might not be strong enough to hold the stitches, causing them to come undone.

Some forms of EDS, like vascular EDS, are more serious. In these cases, the blood vessel walls, intestines, or uterus can become weak and have a higher risk of tearing or rupturing. This can be very dangerous. Because of the potential for complications during pregnancy with vascular EDS, it's a good idea to talk to a genetic counselor before trying to have children. This can help you understand the risks and plan for a healthy pregnancy.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic conditions that affect connective tissue. This tissue holds your body together, supporting your joints, skin, and organs. Different types of EDS have varying effects. However, some common signs and symptoms include:

Joint Problems: EDS often causes joints to be unusually flexible. The tissue connecting the joints is looser than usual, allowing your joints to move beyond their normal range. This can lead to pain and, sometimes, dislocations.

Stretchy Skin: The weaker connective tissue in EDS makes the skin more elastic than normal. You might be able to pinch up a section of skin, and although it moves easily, it will return to its place when you release it. The skin may also feel particularly soft and smooth.

Fragile Skin: Skin injuries in EDS often heal poorly. For example, stitches used to close a wound might tear out, leaving a noticeable, sometimes thin and crinkled scar.

Variations in Symptoms: The severity of these symptoms can differ from person to person. It depends on the specific type of EDS they have. One common type is called hypermobile EDS.

Vascular EDS: A different type, called vascular EDS, has some unique features. People with vascular EDS often have distinct facial features, such as a thin nose, upper lip, and earlobes, and prominent eyes. Their skin is often thin and translucent, making blood vessels more visible. This thin skin bruises easily. A particularly serious concern with vascular EDS is that it can weaken major blood vessels, like the aorta (the largest artery in the body) and arteries in other parts of the body. If these blood vessels rupture, it can be life-threatening. Vascular EDS can also weaken the walls of the uterus or large intestine, potentially causing them to rupture as well.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) comes in several types, each with different genetic causes. Some of these genes are passed down from parents to their children. For example, if you have the most common type, called hypermobile EDS, there's a 50% chance that you'll pass on the specific gene linked to this type to each of your children. This means that if a parent has hypermobile EDS, there's a 50% chance their child will inherit the gene that causes it. It's important to note that having the gene doesn't automatically mean the child will develop the condition. Other factors might also play a role.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) can lead to various health problems, depending on the specific type. Some people with EDS have overly flexible joints. This can make them more prone to joint problems like dislocations and early arthritis. Imagine a joint that's too loose; it's easier for it to pop out of place or wear down faster.

EDS can also affect the skin, making it fragile. This means the skin might tear or bruise more easily and heal with noticeable scars.

In some forms of EDS, there's a higher risk of problems with blood vessels. This is called vascular EDS. People with vascular EDS can have dangerously weak blood vessels, which can burst (rupture). These ruptures can be life-threatening. The ruptures can happen in major blood vessels throughout the body. Even organs like the uterus and intestines can be affected. If you have vascular EDS, pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of a uterine rupture, which is a very serious complication.