Stomach Manifestations in EDS/HSD Patients

Since connective tissue is found throughout the body, many different things in the body, including the digestive tract, can be affected by EDS. The connective tissue is essential to the passives mechanical movements needed to complete digestion. In addition to the connective tissue in your organs, there are also nerves in the digestive tract that can be affected by EDS.

The frequency, type, and severity of digestive symptoms can vary greatly from person to person as everyone with EDS or hEDS is different. The most common problems affecting the upper digestive tract are acid reflux and chronic indigestion with pain or discomfort, and early fullness after meals. When the lower digestive tract is affected, it can present problems such as constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. In more severe cases, patients may present with gastroparesis, which is also closely related to the autonomic nervous system. A small number of people with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome are more likely to get gastroparesis, but the reasons are not all known. Special testing such as the stomach emptying test are used to diagnose this condition. Dealing with stomach dysmotility or slow stomach emptying is a trial and error process, and it is important to pay attention to what foods help your stomach versus which ones hinder. Many patients report relief of symptoms by maintaining a gluten free, dairy free, or meat free diet. In addition, Dr. Perretto recommends patients to follow the FOD map diet, which can be found just by a quick google search! Let us know what you have done to help. with your stomach mobility!

Be sure to consult with your primary care physician or other medical professionals in regards to your medical concerns. This text cannot and should not replace advice from the patient's healthcare professionals. Any person who experiences unusual symptoms or feels that something may be wrong should seek individual professional help for evaluation and/or treatment.