What is EDS and POTS?

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome- Hypermobility Type (Type III- EDS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder caused by a defect in the collagen. Collagen plays a very significant role in the skin, joints, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and visceral organs.  With this type of EDS, both small and large joints are unstable. Subluxating and dislocation along with joint and muscle pain is very common.  Because collagen is present in organ tissue as well, people may also have problems with their organs, in particular, the stomach, bladder and veins. 

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a form of Dysautonomia. It is a disorder that affects the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) which controls your unconscious bodily functions.   The ANS controls your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, temperature regulation and even how our pupils react to light. It's goal is to maintain homeostasis, but when it messes up the person develops Dysautonomia.  

Not everybody develops the same symptoms so it is very difficult to diagnosis and treat.  one person may have few symptoms such as a fast heart beat and some digestion issues but can still  live a normal life, when another person can be completely housebound and have syncope (fainting) spells after a minute on their feet.  For everybody who has Dysautonomia knows how unpredictable this illness is.  You can be affected with symptoms anytime, and any place.  You can have one good day then have one terrible week. That is why it is very important to find the cause if your Dysautonomia because without it, you could continue to regress and not know how to get out off the vicious cycle. 

The treatment is basically trial and error to find the best combination of medicines, exercise, and gadgets so the individual can be stabilized.  It is easy for one to become deconditioned, so it is important to try to incorporate light exercise into their plan.  Many have to make life style and diet changes.

Symptoms (this is not the whole list): 

• Lightheadedness  
• Fainting or near fainting
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort and/or pain
• Delayed gastric emptying
• Bloating after meals
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Pupillary dysfunction, Blurred Vision, and tunnel vision
• Fatigue
• Sleep disorders
• Headache/migraine
• Myofascial pain
• Dizziness
• Tachycardia
• Exercise intolerance
• Flushing
• Blood pooling in limbs
• Intolerance to heat
• Feeling cold all over 
• Low blood pressure upon standing 
• Cognitive impairment
• Cold hands
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Reduced pulse pressure upon standing
• Noise and light sensitivity
• Arrhythmias
• Chemical sensitivities
• Easily over-stimulated
• Food allergies/sensitivities
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches and/or joint pains

The ANS is comprised of two branches known as the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS)- also known as “fight or flight”.