5. Gastrointestinal issues
Gastrointestinal issues can also be caused by EDS. These include acid reflux, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and difficulties when attempting to absorb nutrients. Many people are surprised to hear about these symptoms seeing as EDS primarily affects the joints and skin, but these disorders can affect your organs, bowel movements, and bladder too.
Some people who have EDS even need a feeding tube. They might also have trouble gaining weight leading to a consistently unhealthy appearance. The gastrointestinal issues that EDS causes often leads to patients who develop eating disorders early in life. After all, it’s not hard to see why someone who has constant diarrhea, constipation, and nausea would lose their appetite.
Constipation and diarrhea that EDS causes can also lead to issues with the colon later on as the patient is unable to adhere to a natural bowel movement schedule. Frequent diarrhea can also cause dehydration in EDS patients.