Many patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome experience fatigue and muscle rigidity, as well as shortness of breath, palpitations, and chest pains, all of which are thought to be the result of autonomic nervous system dysfunction which almost always occurs alongside hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. We may objectively verify this with certain diagnostic test modalities that include quantitative data.
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is diagnosed in patients with EDS when symptoms are persistent, followed by a rise in mast cell-derived mediators in biological fluids. These can be cured by stabilizing mediator-targeting medications. Mast cells in EDS cannot function properly and behave abnormally, causing breathing problems including:
- Throat squeezing
- Throat swelling
- Nasal inflammation
- Frequent wheezing
- Dyspnea
- Chest tightening
Can Ehlers Danlos cause breathing problems in children?
Yes, EDS will make it difficult for children to breathe. Children with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can experience repeated respiratory symptoms due to their underlying connective tissue disorder, which may be misdiagnosed as asthma.
This scientific study supports our statement mentioned above
Kyphoscoliotic type (kEDS) is an EDS that significantly impacts the respiratory system and induces breathing difficulties.
Scleral fragility is associated with kEDS, raising the likelihood of the white globe of the eye rupturing. Microcornea, myopia (nearsightedness), glaucoma, and retinal detachment (detachment of the nerve-rich membrane in the back of the eye) are common conditions that can cause vision loss. Patients who are having floaters, sparks, or unexpected curtains crashing over their vision should seek medical help right away. The presence of kEDS (formerly EDSVI) can be seen from birth. Extreme muscle weakness (hypotonia) or irregular spinal rotations, dyspnea (difficult breathing), and curvatures can all be seen in newborns (scoliosis).
By their 20s and 30s, the most seriously affected individuals may lose their ability to walk, so it’s important to keep an eye on if their scoliosis is interfering with regular breathing patterns.
In this study conducted on EDS patients with asthma, you can see a substantial increase in the HMS and EDS incidence with a wide variety of respiratory symptoms and a reduction in exercise tolerance compared to contr
ols. There was a higher incidence of asthmatic symptoms (HMS: OR 2.4, 95 percent CI 1.4–4.1, p = 0.002; EDS: OR 3.1, 95 percent CI 1.8–5.2, p = 0.001) and atopy (HMS: OR 2.7, 95 percent CI 1.6–4.5, p0.001; EDS: OR 2.6, 95 percent CI 1.6–4.4, p0.001), which was verified by clinical assessment. Increased lung volumes, impaired gas exchange, and an increased propensity for both the lower and upper airways to collapse were discovered in pulmonary physiological studies.
There was a higher incidence of asthmatic symptoms and atopy in particular. Furthermore, many people tended to have changes in their lungs’ mechanical properties, resulting in increased distensibility and a greater propensity for the airways to collapse.
Respiratory signs are associated with multiple pulmonary physiological disorders in people with HMS/BJHS and EDS. The increased incidence of asthma may be due to association disequilibrium between the genes that cause these diseases or the action of the connective tissue defect. Changes in the mechanical properties of the bronchial airways and lung parenchyma may explain the observed increased propensity of the airways to collapse in the nonasthmatic population.
