Understanding EDS and managing it”

Dr. Pradeep Chopra, a pain medicine specialist and assistant professor at Brown Medical School, discusses the complexities of managing Ehlers-Danlos Hypermobility Syndrome (EDS) in a webinar. He highlights the importance of understanding EDS not as a disease but as a form of human variability, characterized by connective tissue differences. His approach to management involves treating patients holistically, considering symptoms like pain, comorbidities such as dysautonomia and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and addressing various joint and muscular issues. Dr. Chopra emphasizes the necessity of identifying the root cause of symptoms, employing both pharmacological treatments like low-dose naltrexone and nonpharmacological interventions such as supportive garments and specific exercise regimens. He also discusses the challenges of diagnosing and managing comorbid conditions often seen with EDS, along with practical tips on using adaptive equipment and managing fatigue. The presentation underlines the importance of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to effectively manage EDS symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.