What is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. There are several different types of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which have a variety of symptoms. Most people with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome have hypermobile joints and stretchy skin. According to the Ehlers Danlos National Foundation, 1 in 5,000 people are diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - Hypermobility Type

The main symptom of Ehlers Danlos Hypermobility type is obvious; hypermobile joints. This means that a person who has this type of Ehlers Danlos Symdrome could have recurrent dislocations and subloxations of their joints. Other symptoms of this type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome include hyperextendible skin that may be smooth or velvety and bruises easily.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - Classical

People with this type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome have skin that is stretchy with atrophic scarring. Joint hypermobility is also found in this type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. This type also causes easy bruising. Scarring often appears on pressure points such as the elbows.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - Vascular

This is the most severe form of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. A person who has this type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome has thin, translucent skin with easily seen veins. According to the Ehlers Danlos National Foundation, people with Vascular Type often have, "large eyes, thin nose, lobeless ears, short stature, and thin scalp hair." Rupture of the arteries, intestine or uterus is possible.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - Kyphoscoliosis

Symptoms of this type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome include weak muscle tone, joint laxity, and scoliosis that is progressive at birth. Atrophic scars and easy bruising are also symptoms of Kyphoscoliosis type Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Arterial rupture can also occur.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - Arthrochalasia

A hallmark symptom of this type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is congenital hip dislocation. Severe generalized joint hypermobility is also found. In Arthrochalasia type Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, the skin is hyperexdendible with easy bruising and atrophic scarring.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - Dermatosparaxis

Only a small number of people have this type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Symptoms include severe skin fragility and bruising. Sagging skin is another symptom of Dermatosparaxis type Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

Disorders Related to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

There are other connective tissue disorders similar to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. These include Marfan Syndrome and Stickler Syndrome.

Sources

http://www.ednf.org/