Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Getting medical advice
See your GP if you have several troublesome symptoms of EDS.
You don't usually need to worry if you only have a few symptoms and they're not causing any problems. Joint hypermobility, for example, is common in healthy people and is unlikely to be caused by EDS if you don't have any other symptoms.
Your GP may refer you to a joint specialist (rheumatologist) if you have problems with your joints and they suspect EDS. If there's a possibility you may have one of the rare types of EDS, your GP can refer you to your local genetics service for an assessment.
The local genetics specialist will ask about your medical history, family history, assess your symptoms and may carry out a genetic blood test to confirm the diagnosis.
If further investigation is needed, your hospital doctor can refer you to a specialist EDS diagnostic service based inSheffield and London.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is the name for a group of rare inherited conditions that affect connective tissue. Find out about the symptoms, causes and treatments.
Main types of EDS
EDS-hypermobile type is the most common type of EDS. Rarer types include classical EDS, vascular EDS and kyphoscoliotic EDS. EDS-hypermobile type EDS-hypermobile type (EDS-HT), also known as hypermo
Getting medical advice
See your GP if you have several troublesome symptoms of EDS. You don't usually need to worry if you only have a few symptoms and they're not causing any problems. Joint hypermobility, for example, is
Living withEDS
There's no specific treatment for EDS, but with support and advice it's possible to manage many of the symptoms. Adapting your activities It's important to be careful about activities that put a lot
How EDS is inherited
EDS can be inherited, but in some cases it occurs by chance in someone without a family history of the condition. The two main ways that EDS is inherited are: autosomal dominant inheritance (hyper
Information about you
If you have EDS, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This helps scientists look for better ways
More information
The following websites provide moreinformation, advice and support forpeople with EDS and their families: Ehlers-Danlos Support UK you can also call their free helpline on0800 907 8518, find local
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