Experts are cautioning that being able to bend your fingers or palm beyond the usual range might indicate potential respiratory issues.
Dr. Taylor Goldberg, a chiropractor based in Colorado, highlighted that hyper-flexibility could suggest that the body’s connective tissues are, perhaps, weakened or not stable.
These connective tissues, including joints and tendons, essentially serve as “the glue” that supports and structures bones, muscles, and organs.
This aspect is particularly important for the lungs—they rely on connective tissue for functional support, which surprisingly makes up roughly 25 percent of their weight.
If the connective tissue in the lungs weakens over time, it could lead to alterations in breathing mechanics and potentially serious respiratory conditions like asthma and obstructive sleep apnea.
Around one in four Americans has some level of hyper-flexibility, which can be assessed using the nine-point Beighton Score system.
This test measures flexibility through various movements, such as bending the pinky finger back 90 degrees, touching the thumb to the forearm, hyper-extending elbows or knees by more than 10 degrees, or placing palms flat on the floor with straight knees.
For adults, a score exceeding five out of nine points indicates hyper-flexibility; for children, a score of at least six out of nine is significant.
In some cases, this flexibility stems from a genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS).
Dr. Goldberg remarked that she has noticed many individuals with EDS facing more challenges recovering from respiratory illnesses.
While more detailed research is essential, her clinical experience indicates that those with EDS may struggle more with respiratory conditions compared to the general population.
Connective tissues comprise two proteins—collagen and elastin—that lend strength and elasticity to the body.
However, EDS can impair the body’s ability to properly form these proteins, thus affecting collagen production and overall connective tissue integrity.
The decline in collagen can adversely affect the lungs’ ability to intake oxygen adequately, possibly resulting in shortness of breath and airway issues.
Individuals with EDS often experience signs like joint hyper-mobility, easily bruised skin, as well as joint and muscle pain, fatigue, bowel problems, and difficulty concentrating.
No definitive treatment exists for EDS, but healthcare providers typically recommend physical therapy and braces to support the muscles.
Additionally, Dr. Goldberg mentioned that EDS could impact other bodily systems, reinforcing the necessity for comprehensive testing.
Diagnosis for EDS generally involves a physical examination of the skin and joints, along with a thorough evaluation of symptoms by a healthcare professional.
Experts have previously noted that those with EDS may deal with trauma and feelings of being overlooked in their medical journey, further contributing to stress and anxiety that can also affect breathing.
Although EDS can manifest with neurological symptoms like fatigue and headaches, it is not classified as a neurological disease.
A 2022 study found that nearly all surveyed individuals with EDS reported symptoms of depression, while just over half displayed signs of probable anxiety.
The Ehlers-Danlos Society recognizes thirteen distinct types of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.
