Here’s a glossary of terms related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome:

1. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): A group of genetic connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility.
2. Connective Tissue: Tissue that provides support, structure, and elasticity to the body’s organs and other structures.
3. Collagen: A protein that forms the structure of connective tissues, including skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.
4. Hyperextensibility: The ability of a joint or tissue to extend beyond the normal range of motion.
5. Hypermobility: The ability of a joint to move beyond its normal range of motion.
6. Joint Instability: A condition in which a joint is prone to dislocation or subluxation due to weak or lax ligaments.
7. Subluxation: A partial dislocation of a joint, where the joint surfaces are partially separated.
8. Dislocation: A complete separation of the joint surfaces, often requiring manual or surgical intervention to correct.
9. Skin Hyperelasticity: The ability of the skin to stretch beyond normal limits and return to its original shape.
10. Bruising: The discoloration of the skin due to bleeding under the skin, often occurring with minimal trauma in EDS patients.
11. Atrophic Scarring: Scarring that is thin and flat, often seen in EDS patients due to the fragility of their skin.
12. Easy Bruising: A tendency to bruise easily, often due to fragile blood vessels in EDS patients.
13. Fatigue: A feeling of tiredness or exhaustion that is not relieved by rest, often experienced by EDS patients due to the strain on their bodies.
14. Chronic Pain: Persistent pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years, often experienced by EDS patients due to joint instability and other factors.
15. Gastrointestinal Issues: Digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux, which are common in EDS patients due to the involvement of connective tissue in the digestive tract.
16. Orthostatic Intolerance: A condition in which the body has difficulty regulating blood pressure and heart rate when changing position, often leading to dizziness or fainting in EDS patients.
17. Dysautonomia: Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which can cause a variety of symptoms including dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting in EDS patients.
18. POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome): A form of dysautonomia characterized by an abnormal increase in heart rate when standing up, often leading to dizziness or fainting in EDS patients.
19. Mitral Valve Prolapse: A condition in which the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart does not close properly, often seen in EDS patients due to the involvement of connective tissue in the heart valves.
20. Scoliosis: A sideways curvature of the spine, often seen in EDS patients due to the laxity of their spinal ligaments.
21. Kyphosis: An excessive outward curvature of the spine, leading to a hunched-back appearance, sometimes seen in EDS patients due to weak spinal muscles and ligaments.
22. Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS): A condition characterized by joint hypermobility and associated symptoms, often considered a milder form of EDS.
23. Collagen Vascular Disease: A group of autoimmune diseases that affect the connective tissues, sometimes misdiagnosed in EDS patients due to overlapping symptoms.
24. Dermatosparaxis: A rare form of EDS characterized by extremely fragile skin that bruises and tears easily.
25. Genetic Testing: Testing to identify mutations in genes associated with EDS, which can help confirm a diagnosis and guide treatment.