Who is most likely to get Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
Most are rare e.g., 1 in 40,000 – 200,000 and some are ultrarare i.e., less than 1 in a million people. Individuals of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are affected by EDS which can present with complications from birth and progress over time.
Is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome fatal?
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.
What are the specific symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
People with hEDS may have:
- joint hypermobility.
- loose, unstable joints that dislocate easily.
- joint pain and clicking joints.
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- skin that bruises easily.
- digestive problems, such as heartburn and constipation.
- dizziness and an increased heart rate after standing up.
Is Ehlers-Danlos a terminal illness?
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare, life-threatening, autosomal dominant variant of EDS, resulting from mutations in COL3A1 gene. Affected individuals are prone to serious and potentially fatal complications, especially vascular, intestinal, and uterine ruptures.
Why 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.
Can you live a normal life with Ehlers-Danlos?
General: EDS affected persons can live like normal people; however, they may feel some constraints in their mobility. A person affected with vascular EDS is prone to serious fatal complications like tearing open of a main blood vessel or organ.
