Also called: Also called: Cutis elastica, EDS
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited disorders that weaken connective tissues. Connective tissues are proteins that support skin, bones, blood vessels and other organs.
EDS usually affects your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. Symptoms include
- Loose joints
- Fragile, small blood vessels
- Abnormal scar formation and wound healing
- Soft, velvety, stretchy skin that bruises easily
There are several types of EDS. They can range from mild to life-threatening. About 1 in 5,000 people has EDS. There is no cure. Treatment involves managing symptoms. It also includes learning how to protect your joints and prevent injuries.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/DS00706/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Genetics Home Reference: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=ehlersdanlossyndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=9
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Questions and Answers about Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Connective_Tissue/default.asp
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Symptoms(University of Washington, Dept. of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine) - http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/tabID__3376/ItemID__32/mid__10313/PageID__4/Articles/Default.aspx
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Management and Treatment(University of Washington, Dept. of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine) - http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/tabID__3376/ItemID__32/mid__10313/PageID__7/Articles/Default.aspx
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Coping(University of Washington, Dept. of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine) - http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/tabID__3376/ItemID__32/mid__10313/PageID__8/Articles/Default.aspx
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Dealing with Doctors(Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation) - http://www.ednf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1442&Itemid=88888976
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Incidence and Risk Factors(University of Washington, Dept. of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine) - http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/tabID__3376/ItemID__32/mid__10313/PageID__3/Articles/Default.aspx
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Genetics Home Reference: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=ehlersdanlossyndrome
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18695204&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV with gastric adenocarcinoma. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18672610&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Ehlers-danlos syndrome--clinical presentation. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18655411&tool=MedlinePlus
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=ehlers-danlos+syndrome[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/
- Connective Tissue Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/connectivetissuedisorders.html
- Skin Conditions - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skinconditions.html
- Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html
- Genetics/Birth Defects - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/geneticsbirthdefects.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/