Symptoms range from mild to very severe, and vary with which type of EDS you have. Milder forms of EDS are often not diagnosed until early adulthood, as it can take some time before the symptoms and signs become noticeable. The more severe types, however, are diagnosed mainly in childhood.
Moreover, can a blood test detect Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Extremely loose joints, fragile or stretchy skin, and a family history of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are often enough to make a diagnosis. Genetic tests on a sample of your blood can confirm the diagnosis in rarer forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and help rule out other problems.
In this way, can you be diagnosed with EDS later in life?
Although Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a condition you are born with, it may take many years (or decades) before you are diagnosed.
Can you have EDS without knowing?
Many of those suffering from EDS are never diagnosed during their lifetimes. They suffer in pain for many years and die – still not knowing why they had the pain. EDS Awareness is critical! Only 5% of EDS patients are correctly diagnosed.
Does EDS affect teeth?
In addition people with EDS, like any other individual, are at risk of some periodontal disease that can ultimately lead to bad breath, gum bleeding, tooth mobility or tooth loss. Good oral hygiene will reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
How did you know you had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
With EDS-HT, the first place to look is at the joints, which in childhood will be loose. Signs of joint laxity, sometimes called “double-jointed” include being able to: Bend your little fingers back beyond 90 degrees. Push each thumb to the front of your forearm.
How do I know if I’m hypermobile?
Common signs of hypermobile EDS include: Joint hypermobility in your pelvis, hips, shoulders, elbows, knees, fingers, and toes. Stretchy skin. Tendency to bruise easily.
How does Ehlers-Danlos affect hair?
The defects of the collagen previously reported in EDS account for the increased extensibility of the skin (1, 2). It is possible that the altered skin structure results in increased pliability of the skin which may allow the hair follicles to expand.
Is Ehlers-Danlos autoimmune?
In the United States, two million people live with rheumatoid arthritis, and another 1.5 million live with lupus. A much rarer group of connective tissue disorders is called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Unlike the diseases noted above, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is not an autoimmune condition, it’s an inherited disorder.
What does EDS pain feel like?
I was asked recently to describe what my body feels with EDS. I described the feeling of being tenderized with a mallet all over my body. Not enough to break bones, but hard enough to leave bruises. This is my daily experience even with the aid of pain meds.
What mimics Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
Marfan syndrome (MFS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) are connective tissue disorders with multisystem manifestations. Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a connective tissue disorder that primarily affects the musculoskeletal system.