So this is the first of what may be many posts attempting to define Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Being a relatively “new” diagnosis in the medical field there is a lot of speculation as to what exactly the disorder is. Generally speaking, after a good bit of research the two sites I found to be the most reliable are the EDNF site and the EDS CARES site. Both foundations don’t use overly wordy explanations or scare tactics while explain the general gist of EDS. Below you’ll find the descriptions. I apologize if they sound redundant, since they are explaining the same thing.
“The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are inherited in the genes that are passed from parents to offspring. They are categorized according to the form of genetic transmission into different types with many features differing between patients in any given type. The fragile skin and loose joints and tissue fragility is often a result of abnormal genes that produce abnormal proteins that confer an inherited frailty of collagen (the normal protein “glue” of our tissues).
In 2001, researchers discovered a new form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that is caused by an inherited abnormality in a protein other than collagen that also normally plays a role in binding together the cells of our tissues (including the skin, tendons, muscle, and blood vessels). Abnormalities in this protein, called tenascin, also lead to a form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Researchers suspect that tenascin could play a role in regulating the normal distribution of collagen in the connective tissues of the body.”
[http://www.ehlersdanlosnetwork.org/index.html]
“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.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders, characterized by articular (joint) hypermobility, skin extensibility and tissue fragility. There are six major types of EDS. The different types of EDS are classified according to their manifestations of signs and symptoms. Each type of EDS is a distinct disorder that “runs true” in a family. This means that an individual with Vascular Type EDS will not have a child with Classical Type EDS.”
[http://www.ednf.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1347&Itemid=88888968]