When your body struggles to hold itself together with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), your muscles may step in to do way more than they were meant to.

Respiratory issues that can be seen in some people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) often go unrecognized. Here’s what they can look like, and management strategies that can help improve quality of life.

Many people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years or even decades—not because their symptoms are invisible, but because they’re misunderstood or simply ignored. As a clinician, I’ve seen each one of these misattributions:

Gastrointestinal (GI) issues seen in those with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) can significantly impact daily life. They are a common but often overlooked part of hEDS for many people.

Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) can be incredibly challenging, isolating, and exhausting. People often go years without a diagnosis or proper care—which is why awareness of these conditions is so important—so that healthcare providers, educators, and communities can recognize these conditions sooner. Every person with EDS/HSD has a story worth hearing.

People with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) often experience joint subluxations, which are partial dislocations that can occur suddenly, painfully, and often with little to no warning.

Fatigue in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) isn't just feeling tired. It's exhaustion that wraps around your body like dense fog. It can be there when you wake up, and even when you're doing nothing. Here’s what can be behind it:

Here’s the thing—people can’t manage illnesses that they don’t understand. Without a hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) diagnosis, people often push through pain or dislocations, thinking it’s all in their head, just bad luck, or that their constant fatigue is just laziness.

With Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD), it’s not just about being “flexible.” Pain with EDS/HSD can be complex and relentless. From abnormal collagen and joint instability to soft tissue damage, muscle overcompensation, and nerve issues, these conditions can impact your entire body. Let’s break down why pain happens with EDS/HSD—and what makes it so unique.