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Natural Remedies For Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of genetic conditions that cause loose skin and joints. Also, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can affect blood vessels, bones, organs, and tissues. It is known that there are 13 types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and this condition can greatly range in the severity from one person to another even among the same subtype.

When the formal diagnosis is known, then many people can benefit from both natural prevention and management strategies and conventional treatments. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of disorders that is affecting the body’s collagen. The collagen is the most important building block for the body’s connective tissue, including the bones.

Also, it can support the cartilage and skin to give the body strength and flexibility. The most common signs and symptoms of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome include poor wound healing; unusually flexible or loose joints (hypermobility); frequent, unusual scarring; delicate, small blood vessels; easy bruising. The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic disorder which means that is caused by mutated genes. [1]

ehlers-danlos syndrome

It is known that having a family history of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can increase your risk of this condition. The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects every race and ethnicity and impacts men and women equally. The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a serious medical condition and it can resemble many other connective tissue disorders. This is a reason why you should visit your doctor to get a proper diagnosis for your symptoms. [1]

You should never try to treat the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at your home unless your doctor has told you. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies so in this way you can avoid side effects.

Here are some home remedies for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome:

Get low – impact exercise and physical therapy:

Many doctors are recommending low – impact exercises and physical therapy for people who suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. But there are not enough studies which can say for sure that they will help with the symptoms. This may be happening due to the fact that many people withdraw from sports and physical activities due to discomfort, injury or fear and also, many physical therapists are not familiar with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and its management.

There are some studies in which are found that people’s symptoms tend to improve when they make exercises and receive therapy but this difference is not usually significant compared to the people who did not take part. No matter the results and studies, it is always recommended to make gentle exercises and skilled physical therapy because they can help people who suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome to get relief from the pain, prevent injuries, and improve wellbeing. [2]

Some of the best options for low – impact exercises include walking; dance; tai chi; stationary biking and swimming. Physical therapy should be obtained from someone who is familiar with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and it can include strategies for improving, such as education; posture; ideal limits on the range of motion; pain; strength; stability and gait.

Consider dietary supplements:

If you want to take some kind of dietary supplement for the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, you need to talk with your doctor because some of them can interfere with the medications which you take. It is known that many of the symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome resemble those of nutrient deficiencies.

There are some studies in which are said that the symptoms of genetic conditions can sometimes be influenced by nutrition so doctors are including supplements in the diet of people who suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Some supplements which can be used in the natural treatment of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome include Vitamin K; Vitamin C; silica; pycnogenol; methyl sulphonyl methane; magnesium; glucosamine; Coenzyme Q10; carnitine and calcium. [3]

Vitamin C can be recommended as a home remedy for wound healing and it can reduce the bruising. There are some cases when this vitamin can be prescribed at high doses which can help to reduce the bleeding time, improve the healing and even increase the muscle strength in certain subtypes, such as kyphoscoliosis – type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Also, doctors are recommending topical therapies, supplements, herbs, and diet which can help to improve bone density; lower blood pressure; relieve arthritis symptoms; relieve pain; speed wound healing; ease bone and joint pain; speed bruise healing. Doctors are recommending natural therapies that will not interfere with any medications that you take and they can help in the treatment of the symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Sun protection:

It is a known fact that premature aging from sun exposure is a risk factor for all people, especially for people who suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. You should use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15. You should apply it on a daily basis. [4,5]

Build a support system:

You should talk with your family, friends, religious advisors, teachers, or employers because they can help you to have encouragement, assistance, and accommodation. It is very important to have support from people that you love.

Avoid physical stress:

It is known that strenuous physical activity can lead to bruising, increased blood pressure, dislocated joints, and injury. You should not play a wind or brass instruments because they can put stress on your body. You should take it easy on your jaw by not chewing gum, ice, or hard candy. You should avoid lifting weights or heavy items. You should avoid contact or high – impact sports, such as sprinting, gymnastics, hockey, and football. You should request for help with strenuous housework. You should avoid repetitive motions. You should ask for less – demanding tasks at work. [2]

Water:

We know that water is very important for the body. You should drink at least eight glasses of water because it can help you in the treatment of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The water is important for part of physiological processes. It is a solvent for chemical reactions. It is a medium for physical processes. It acts as a mechanical buffer. It is a lubricant as well as a heat regulator. [6]

Exercise therapy:

There are some types of exercises, such as swimming which can help to improve the muscle strength without placing undue stress on the joints. [2]

Get high – quality rest:

You should get enough sleep because this can help you to fight against fatigue and mood problems. There are many people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome who have disordered breathing during sleep, as well as significant daytime fatigue. You should keep your room dark and cool because in this way you will sleep better. You should avoid screen time for an hour before bed. You should not smoke or drink alcohol before you go to bed. You should try to get a sleeping routine which will help you to get the much – needed rest.

Baby your skin:

It is a known fact that Ehlers-Danlos syndrome carries many risks for the health and strength of the skin. There are many things which you can do to prevent skin breakage, protect it from damage, and potentially speed the wound healing. You should use sunscreen on a daily basis so in this way your skin will stay safe from the harmful UV rays. You should wear protective bandages on exposed skin which is very important for people with frequent skin problems.

You should avoid soap, body wash, and body lotions with harsh chemicals because they can dry out your skin or they can cause allergic reactions. You should massage your skin with coconut oil because it will help to retain moisture and fight against bacteria that can damage your skin. You can use coconut oil, shea butter, or other natural topical treatments if your doctor says that they are safe for you so in this way you can reduce the appearance or promote the healing of scars.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy:

There was one study in which were combined cognitive behavioral therapy with physical therapy in 12 women who suffer from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and they have noticed significant improvements in the endurance, muscle strength, and perceived ability to perform daily activities, perceived pain, fear of exercise and participation in the daily life [7].

References:

[1] Genetics Home Reference. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. 2020. Retrieved from ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/ehlers-danlos-syndrome

[2] Engelbert RHH, Juul-Kristensen B, Pacey V, et al. The evidence‐based rationale for physical therapy treatment of children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with joint hypermobility syndrome/hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 2017;175(1):158-67.

[3] Mantle D, Wilkins RM, Preedy V. Nutritional, therapeutic strategy for Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. EDS Awareness. Retrieved from www.chronicpainpartners.com

[4] Malcolm E. The importance of sunscreen for people with EDS. 2019. Retrieved from ehlersdanlosnews.com/2019/09/20/the-importance-of-sunscreen-for-people-with-eds/

[5] Castori M. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobility type: An underdiagnosed hereditary connective tissue disorder with mucocutaneous, articular, and systemic manifestations. ISRN Dermatology. 2012;2012:751768.

[6] Hydroworx. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patient gaining strength with aquatic therapy. Retrieved from www.hydroworx.com/blog/ehlers-danlos-syndrome-patient-gaining-strength-aquatic-therapy/

[7] Bathen T, Hangmann AB, Hoff M, et al. Multidisciplinary treatment of disability in ehlers-danlos syndrome hypermobility type/hypermobility syndrome: A pilot study using a combination of physical and cognitive-behavioral therapy on 12 women. The American Journal of Medical Genetics – Part A. 2013;161A(12):3005-11.

Neem Mayur
Neem Mayur
Mayur Neem, a certified dietician having more than 5 years of experience in the field of diet practice. He is working as a diet expert and offering services to body builders, sports persons, celebrities, etc. He is lover of natural remedies and loves to spend most of his free time in his organic farm and offers expert advice on organic farming to local farmers. He is available through [email protected]

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