What is EDS?

     Many people who know me ask, "Erin, what exactly is wrong with you?" EDS is very hard to explain to someone who is not very familiar with medical terms and genetic jargon. So I am going to try to place a few definitions of the syndrome together.
     According to Pub Med Health, "Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders marked by extremely loose joints, hyperelastic skin that bruises easily, and easily damaged blood vessels." Individuals with EDS have a defect in their connective tissue, the tissue that provides support to many body parts such as the skin, muscles and ligaments. The fragile skin and unstable joints found in EDS are the result of faulty collagen. Collagen is a protein, which acts as a 'glue' in the body, adding strength and elasticity to connective tissue.
     The symptoms of EDS are double jointedness, delicate skin, easy scarring, poor wound healing, flat feet, increased joint mobility, popping joints, joint pain, joint dislocation, mitral valve prolapse, vision problems, and much more.
     Unfortunately, there is no cure for EDS. The disease can leave one in constant pain and discomfort. My geneticist has observed that in recent studies, the ingestion of high doses of vitamin c (2 g) has helped to preserve joints. I have been having surgeries to fix the placement of my bones, not to cure this disease.