What is hEDS, MCAS, and Dysautonomia?

Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome is a group of disorders that mostly affect the skin, joints, and blood vessels. Depending on the type, EDS may be due to an inherited gene mutation or may occur in a person for the first time. There are 13 different types of EDS. Of these, Hypermobility is the only EDS that does not have a specific gene mutation or test, yet it is considered the most common type. Diagnosis for hEDS is determined by checking a patient’s medical history, joint hypermobility (Beighton Scoring System), dislocations/breaks/subluxations, skin features, hernias, prolapse, signs of faulty connective tissue, long term pain, and a family history of such. EDS, except for Hypermobile (hEDS), is rare and all are hard to diagnose because the signs and symptoms may overlap with other conditions, as it can affect multiple organs in the body. EDS can also mimic other conditions, causing misdiagnoses.

Mast Cells are blood cells that are a part of our immune system. These cells aid in fighting infections. Mast cells release chemicals (mediators), like histamine, during an allergic reaction. These chemicals help to protect a healthy person. When someone has Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) their body releases too many chemicals causing random symptoms in multiple organs of the body, including but not limited to; inflammation, itchy skin, flushing, rashes, idiopathic urticaria (hives), swollen skin, sweating, itching and watering/running of the eyes/nose, swelling/itching in lips and/or tongue, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, wheezing, trouble breathing, tightened airways, a buildup of mucus, tightened airways, expanding of blood vessels, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, headaches, brain fog, chronic pain, fatigue, fainting, and anaphylaxis.

Dysautonomia is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The job of the ANS is to control the things that our bodies do without thinking, like breathing, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, sexual arousal, and muscle control. There are about 15 types of Dysautonomia. The most common type of Dysautonomia related to hEDS is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

 If you have one; hEDS, MCAS, or Dysautonomia, chances are, you do or will have all three. As they more often than not occur together. Together they are called "The Trifecta." All of these illnesses cause symptoms in multiple organs of the body. The Super Pentad Syndrome is the Trifecta plus GI dysfunction (MALS, SIBO, Gastroparesis, Dysmotility), and Autoimmunity (including but not limited to; type 1 diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Crohn’s, Psoriasis).