5. Connective Tissue Disorders: The Underlying Web
Connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and scleroderma aren’t usually the first suspects in a gastroparesis diagnosis, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. These conditions affect the tissues that form a supportive framework for organs, including the stomach.
In scleroderma, for example, the skin and connective tissues harden and tighten. Imagine your stomach lined with a layer of tissue that’s slowly turning rigid. This rigidity can hamper the stomach’s natural motility, leaving food to stagnate rather than move forward.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome presents another challenge. It’s a group of disorders affecting the skin, joints, and blood vessels. When this disorder impacts the gastrointestinal system, it can cause a variety of symptoms, one of which is gastroparesis.
The diagnosis of gastroparesis in the context of connective tissue disorders is often a moment of clarity for many. They’ve been battling an array of seemingly disconnected symptoms, from skin issues to joint pain to digestive woes. Realizing that these issues are interlinked can be both a relief and a new puzzle to solve.
Connective tissue disorders remind us that our bodies function as a web of interconnected systems. When one strand of the web weakens or breaks, it can ripple across the entire network, explaining why a condition affecting your skin or joints could also impact your stomach. (5)
