A Natural Approach To Health
Living With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
I had a question the other day about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues — mainly your skin, joints and blood vessel walls.
People who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome usually have overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin.
This can become a problem if you have a wound needing stitches, because your skin often isn’t strong enough to hold them.
A more severe form of the disorder, called vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can cause the walls of your blood vessels, intestines or uterus to rupture.
Signs and symptoms of the most common form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome include:
>Overly flexible joints. Because the connective tissue that holds joints together is looser, your joints can move far past the normal range of motion. Small joints are affected more than large joints. You might also be able to touch the tip of your nose with your tongue.
>Stretchy skin. Weakened connective tissue allows your skin to stretch more than usual. You may be able to pull a pinch of skin up away from your flesh, but it’ll snap right back into place when you let go. Your skin might also feel exceptionally soft and velvety.
>Fragile skin. Damaged skin often doesn’t heal well. For example, stitches used to close a wound often will tear out and leave a gaping scar. These scars may look thin and crinkly.
>Fatty lumps at pressure points. These small, harmless growths can occur around your knees or elbows and may show up on X-rays.
Symptom severity varies from person to person.
Some people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome will have overly flexible joints but few or none of the skin symptoms.
People who have the vascular subtype of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome often share distinctive facial features of a thin nose, thin upper lip, small earlobes and prominent eyes.
They also have thin, translucent skin that bruises easily.
In fair-skinned people, the underlying blood vessels are visible through the skin.
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can weaken your heart’s largest artery (aorta), as well as the arteries to your kidneys and spleen.
A rupture of any of these blood vessels can be fatal.
The vascular subtype also can weaken the walls of the uterus or large intestines, which may also rupture.
Different subtypes of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are associated with a variety of genetic causes, some of which are inherited and passed on from parent to child.
If you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, there’s a 50% chance you’ll pass the gene on to each of your children.
There’s no cure for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, but treatment can help you manage your symptoms and prevent further complications.
If you have this syndrome, it’s important to prevent injuries and protect your skin and joints.
To deal with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, it’s beneficial to:
*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily to hydrate and flush toxins.
*Review my post on keeping clean on the inside.
*Breathe easier; purify indoor air.
*Increase essential fats (flax oil, olive oil, Omega-3 oils).
*Consume a 50% raw food diet: lots of fresh, raw fruits and veggies (organic when possible). Include fresh juicing.
*Consider liver and colon cleanses.
*Increase deep breathing, relaxation, stress management and energy techniques.
*Increase fresh air, sunshine, connect to nature, adequate rest.
*Deal with any underlying emotional issues.
*Ensure regular (2 per day) bowel movements.
*Decrease toxic exposures of all kinds.
*Investigate and eliminate “hidden” allergies/sensitivities.
*Decrease or eliminate any and all hydrogenated, trans fats, and deep-fried foods.
*Decrease or eliminate sugar-laden foods, white flour products, simple carbs.
*Decrease or eliminate processed, instant, chemical-laden, “lifeless” foods.
*Decrease or eliminate smoking, alcohol, coffee, soda pop, processed juices.
*Become educated about all possible side effects and detrimental influences of any medications or treatment procedures you are taking or considering.
*Research and address underlying Candida issues.
*Avoid MSG and artificial sweeteners as they are neurotoxins.
*Consume plenty of fresh (not canned) pineapple and/or papaya (anti-inflammatory properties).
*Avoid nightshade vegetables (eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers).
Recommendations:
It’s essential to use: VitaLea, Protein, NutriFeron, Alfalfa, Optiflora, GLA, OmegaGuard, Lecithin, VitalMag, Vitamin D, EZ-Gest.
It’s important to use: B-Complex, Joint Health Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Garlic, Zinc.
It’s beneficial to use: Vivix, CarotoMax and/or FlavoMax, CoQHeart, CorEnergy, Fiber, Immunity Formula, 180 Energizing Tea.
email: lenayphillipps@gmail.com
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