Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS)
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of rare inherited conditions that affect connective tissue.
There are several types of EDS that may share some symptoms, these include joint hypermobility, stretchy skin and fragile skin that breaks or bruises easily.
EDS can affect people in different ways. For some, the condition is relatively mild, while for others their symptoms can be disabling.
The different types of EDS are caused by faults in certain genes that make connective tissue weaker.
Depending on the type of EDS, the faulty gene may have been inherited from 1 parent or both parents. Sometimes the faulty gene is not inherited, but occurs in the person for the first time.
There are 13 types of EDS, most of which are very rare.
Hypermobile EDS (hEDS) is the most common type and the person may have:
– Joint hypermobility (loose, unstable joints that dislocate easily).
– Joint pain and clicking joints.
– Extreme tiredness (fatigue).
– Skin that bruises easily.
– Digestive problems.
– Dizziness and an increased heart rate after standing up.
– Problems with internal organs, such as mitral valve prolapse.
The echo lady; Lorena De Vanna, is a cardiac and respiratory physiologist graduated from the Central University of Venezuela.
She currently holds British Society of Echocardiography accreditation and works as a Chief cardiac Scenographer in England.