About Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

According to the Ehlers Danlos Society website, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome(s) is defined as:

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​"a group of connective tissue disorders that can be inherited and are varied both in how they affect the body and in their genetic causes. They are generally characterized by joint hypermobility (joints that stretch further than normal), skin hyperextensibility (skin that can be stretched further than normal), and tissue fragility.​"

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The most common of the thirteen sub-types of EDS is hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). While genetic testing is often used to diagnosed EDS, hEDS is currently a "clinical" diagnosis. This means that we do not yet know the genetic component associated with this specific subtype, and the diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation. Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is usually characterized by generalized joint hypermobility, skin fragility, and multisystem dysfunction.

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A diagnosis of hEDS is usually associated with several comorbidities. Some of the more common include: 

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• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

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• Cranio-Cervical Instability (CCI)

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• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

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• Anxiety/Depression