About Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of over 10 inherited disorders affecting your skin, joints, blood vessel walls and other connective tissues. Patients with EDS frequently travel to specialists for treatment via air ambulance.
What is Connective tissue?
Your connective tissue supports, binds or separates other tissues or organs with a low number of cells embedded in an amorphous matrix with collagen or other fibers including fatty and elastic tissues. Connective tissue provides support and elasticity to the underlying structures in your body.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Symptoms
If you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, your joints and skin can be overly flexible, stretchy and fragile. Your skin often isn’t strong enough to hold stiches and you may suffer from abnormal growth of scar tissue. These symptoms can range from mild to disabling and depending on the specific type of EDS, other symptoms can include:
- A curved spine
- Weak blood vessels
- Bleeding gums
- Heart, valve, lung or digestion problems
Because of the severe frailty EDS creates, air ambulance is the ideal transportation method for these patients who should not be driven over long distances.
What causes EDS?
In most cases, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is inherited. For a small number of patients, it occurs as a spontaneous gene mutation.
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
The more severe form of the disorder, vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can cause walls of your blood vessels, intestines or uterus to rupture. If you have vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, you may want to talk to a genetic counselor before starting a family.
Treatment Options
Treatment helps manage symptoms and monitor for complications. Treatment options vary by severity and can include drugs, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.
Your Healthcare Journey Starts Here
At Angel MedFlight World Wide Air Ambulance, our medical team has treated and transported patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Do you, a loved one or a patient with EDS need to be transported to a facility for care?
Learn more or call us toll free anytime at (877) -264-3570 – we are here 24/7 to answer your questions.
