Is EDS an autoimmune disease?

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

connective tissue disorders

A connective tissue disease (collagenosis) is any disease that has the connective tissues of the body as a target of pathology. Connective tissue is any type of biological tissue with an extensive extracellular matrix that supports, binds together, and protects organs.

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Connective tissue disease - Wikipedia

is called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Unlike the diseases noted above, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is not an autoimmune condition, it's an inherited disorder.

Does EDS compromise your immune system?

People with EDS often have a lowered immune system. Part of this is probably related to being generally unwell for a long time, but there also seems to be a specific deficiency in IgG-3, which is one of the antibodies that fights infection.

Is EDS a disability or a chronic illness?

While EDS is a chronic illness by definition, many of its symptoms result in temporary or long-term disablement; thus, within the body of the paper the terms chronic illness and disability are both used.

Is EDS a rheumatic disease?

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type is associated with rheumatic diseases.

Does a rheumatologist treat Ehlers-Danlos?

The accurate diagnosis of EDS can allow specific management, family screening and prenatal diagnosis. The rheumatologist can play an important role in the diagnosis of EDS and is central to the ongoing management of many EDS patients.

Can We Cure Autoimmune Diseases?

Does Ehlers-Danlos get worse with age?

Many of the problems associated with EDS are progressive, meaning that they get worse over time. Kyphoscoliosis EDS (kyphosis and scoliosis) is a form of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome that is noted for severe, progressive curvature of the spine.

What triggers EDS?

Causes. EDS happens when your body doesn't make a protein called collagen in the right way. Collagen helps form the connections that hold your body's bones, skin, and organs together. If there's a problem with it, those structures can be weak and more likely to have problems.

What kind of doctor manages Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

Successful treatment of this complex syndrome requires a team with extensive knowledge of genetics, orthopedics, pediatrics, neurology, neuroradiology, neuropsychology, and neuroendocrinology, in addition to skilled surgeons who specialize in neurosurgery and cerebrovascular surgery.

What is the life expectancy of someone with EDS?

It is often associated with a shortened lifespan. Among affected people diagnosed as the result of a complication, 25% have experienced a significant medical complication by age 20 and more than 80% by age 40. The median life expectancy for people affected by vascular EDS is 48 years.”

Is Ehlers-Danlos related to rheumatoid arthritis?

There is about one case of Ehlers-Danlos for every 50 with rheumatoid arthritis or every five people with lupus. Features common to most of the 13 include very mobile joints that dislocate easily, skin that you see through, poor wound healing with a specific type of scars.

What serious health problems can come with EDS?

There are many neurological and spinal problems which have been observed to be more common in EDS, examples include migraine, early disc degeneration, Chiari 1 malformation, craniocervical instability, motor delay, and curvature of the spine. Musculoskeletal pain can start early and be chronic.

Does EDS qualify for SSI?

If you have EDS and are unable to work because of severe symptoms from it, you may be eligible for disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

What are the 14 types of Ehlers-Danlos?

Is hypermobile EDS autoimmune?

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.

Does EDS make you look younger?

Due to the collagen in the skin being extra stretchy, many EDS patients experience a lack of wrinkles as they age. This collagen may help EDS patients look younger and can also cause skin to feel extremely soft. Doctor's even describe the skin as “velvet-soft”.

Is EDS a mast cell disease?

One disease that mast cells are involved in are connective tissue disorders (CTD) such as EDS and its subtypes including hypermobile EDS (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD).

How serious is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can weaken your heart's largest artery (aorta), as well as the arteries to other regions of your body. A rupture of any of these larger blood vessels can be fatal. The vascular type can also weaken the walls of the uterus or large intestines — which also may rupture.

Is Ehlers-Danlos life-threatening?

Description. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues. Defects in connective tissues cause the signs and symptoms of these conditions, which range from mildly loose joints to life-threatening complications.

Does EDS affect your 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.

What mimics Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

Tnxb-/- mice showed progressive skin hyperextensibility, similar to individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Biomechanical testing confirmed increased deformability and reduced tensile strength of their skin.

Do collagen supplements help Ehlers-Danlos?

Bottom Line: No established research or clinical experience has proven that collagen supplementation is helpful for persons with EDS! Theoretically, a diet adequate in glycine, proline, lysine, and vitamin C (or supplementation) would support collagen biosynthesis.

What is the best treatment for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

Physical therapy

Exercises to strengthen the muscles and stabilize joints are the primary treatment for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Your physical therapist might also recommend specific braces to help prevent joint dislocations.

Is EDS a sleep disorder?

Abstract. The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is an inherited heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders, affecting tissue fragility, blood vessels, and other organs. EDS patients are known to suffer from significant sleep problems and excessive daytime sleepiness.

What are the 3 main types of EDS?

Hypermobile EDS (hEDS) is the most common type. Other types of EDS include classical EDS, vascular EDS and kyphoscoliotic EDS.

Does EDS have flare ups?

"A "flare up" with EDS for me is extreme pain with my joints, a low grade fever, and subluxations of my fingers and other joints. "Today you are actually witnessing one of the longest flares I've had since being diagnosed.