Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a disease related to joints, skins and blood vessels. The disorder relates to loosing of “binding tissues” which hold the bones and skin. The patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome have abnormality related to skin, joints and blood vessels and the person may have the disease transferred from their parents.

The signs of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome include the loose bone joints, weak blood vessels and scars on the skin. The person who has the disease has delayed healing of scars as compared with other normal skin patients. But the symptoms are not hard and fast and may vary from individual to individual. Some patients experience severe degree of disorder and some may have minor effects. The most important factor of the disease is heredity. EDS is the consequence of genetic disorder which is transferred from the parents to the patient. It is necessary for the patient of EDS that both of his parents had the disorder in their genes. So the diagnosis of the disorder requires taking detailed history not only of the patients but also of his/her parents.

The both type of history includes the study of firmness of joints and the texture and flexibility of skin. Other tests like Biopsy and urine analysis are also used for the diagnosis. The disease is complex and involves many specialists e.g. dermatologist, rheumatologist, orthopedist and geneticist.

The effects of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome can be handled by doing exercise, avoiding stress to joints and being careful when one is doing an activity which may make him fall. The corrective measures involve surgery of the joints. To avoid scars on the skin, protection against sunlight is necessary. The patients should use vitamin C. One in 10,000 people have the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome