Can you easily bend your little finger 90°, touch your forearm with your thumb, or place your palms on the floor with your knees straight?
If so, you may be hyperventilating — and according to experts, this could signal a risk for serious breathing problems, including asthma and obstructive sleep apnea.
What is hyperlaxity?
Hyperlaxity is a condition where joints bend beyond normal due to weakened connective tissues.
These tissues – composed mainly of collagen and elastin – are the body's glues, giving structure to organs, muscles and bones.
But, the lungs are 25% composed of connective tissue, and their weakening can impede normal respiratory function by causing:
Difficulty breathing
Respiratory muscle weakness
Collapse of the upper and lower airways
How to test flexibility?
The Beighton test gives 1 point for each of these movements:
Bending the little finger 90° (each arm)
Touching the forearm with the thumb (each arm)
Elbow extension more than 10° (each arm)
Knee extension more than 10° (each arm)
Placing the palms on the ground with the knees straight
The results:
Adults with 5 or more points are hyperflexible.
Children with 6 or more points
Is this always problematic?
For some people, hyperlaxity is simply a harmless physical trait. But for a small number, it's linked to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) — a genetic disorder that affects collagen production.
Common symptoms of EDS:
Very flexible connection
Elastic and fragile skin
Difficult breathing
Constant pain in muscles and joints
Chronic fatigue
Problems with digestion and concentration
Frequent bruising
EDS and breathing problems
According to Dr. Taylor Goldberg, people with EDS have more difficulty recovering from respiratory illnesses and are more susceptible to problems with their airways and lungs.
They also often experience:
Anxiety, depression, and neglected medical trauma affecting breathing
Difficulty coping with stress, which worsens physical symptoms
Is there treatment?
There is no cure for EDS, but treatments include:
Physiotherapy
Orthopedic braces
Multidisciplinary care for neurological and respiratory symptoms
cONcluSiON: If you're very flexible, it doesn't automatically mean you have a lung condition – but it's a sign worth investigating. If you're suffering from fatigue, muscle pain, shortness of breath or other problems, consult your doctor.. /GazetaExpress/
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