Difficulties in Diagnosing EDS

In this resource, Dr. David Saperstein discusses the complexities and challenges associated with diagnosing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Due to the broad spectrum of symptoms that can mimic other more common conditions, EDS may be misinterpreted by specialists focused on their areas of expertise. To illustrate, Saperstein draws on a parable of blind men describing different parts of an elephant, emphasizing how various professionals might only see parts of the EDS syndrome, mistaking it for issues like fibromyalgia, migraines, anxiety, arthritis, or irritable bowel syndrome. He uses case examples to show how patients with EDS exhibit diverse symptoms like joint pain, lightheadedness, stomach bloating, brain fog, nausea, and cardiac issues, complicating the diagnostic process and necessitating comprehensive assessment.