Anna Kingston

Psychology graduate, mother, wife, runner, avid reader & researcher, writer, crafter, living with hEDS.

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@PaulGarvey4 That’s slightly worrying…!

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@PaulGarvey4 If only! Negative voices are often the ones that get airtime, unfortunately. The area in which I work has large numbers of non-British workers - if we didn’t have them the system would collapse even faster than it is.
The loudest voices are also the ones who wouldn’t do the work!

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@PaulGarvey4 Morning, Paul, glorious morning up here as well! 😎
Day off for me today - combination of writing, maybe some art, and pre-birthday Huddersfield Literature Festival event with my sister, lovely! 😊

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@PaulGarvey4 We are, thank you! 😊

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@PaulGarvey4 Glad to see your post - grandchildren and house renovations moving apace sounds fabulous! 😊

[The Ehlers-Danlos Society @TheEDSociety]

May is Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) Awareness Month. But what is HSD?⁠
⁠
Hypermobility spectrum disorders are connective tissue disorders characterized by symptomatic joint hypermobility that cannot be explained by other conditions.⁠ 🧬⁠
⁠
❓️Signs and symptoms of HSD⁠
⁠
Symptoms vary from person to person, with different degrees of severity, and include:⁠
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o Joint hypermobility and instability⁠
o Joint subluxations⁠
o Dislocations⁠
o Joint pain⁠
o Loss of joint function⁠
o Joint damage, such as cartilage tear⁠
o Early joint degeneration⁠
o Ligament/tendon damage and injury⁠
o Recurrent, persistent, or chronic pain⁠
o Fatigue⁠
o Autonomic disturbances of heart rate and blood pressure, bowel and bladder function, and temperature regulation⁠
o Organ/systemic inflammation related to mast cell activation ⁠
o Headaches⁠
o Gastrointestinal problems⁠
o Anxiety disorders⁠
⁠
HSD is diagnosed by medical history and physical examination. In the process, clinicians need to rule out other conditions, including the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, that can cause the same symptoms. To be diagnosed with HSD, there should be evidence that the joint hypermobility is causing problems and is not just an asymptomatic feature.⁠

#HSD is diagnosed by medical history and physical examination. In the process, clinicians need to rule out other conditions, including the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (especially hEDS), that can cause the same symptoms. To be diagnosed with HSD, there should be evidence that the joint hypermobility is causing problems and is not just an asymptomatic feature.⁠
⁠
Since there is not yet a definitive diagnostic test for hEDS (there are clinical criteria to give a diagnosis but not a genetic test) or HSD, there is no way to differentiate between the two conditions absolutely. Some experts believe that HSD and hEDS are, in essence, the same condition along a spectrum; some are not sure, and others think that HSD and hEDS are separate, distinct conditions.

It is possible that hEDS and HSD have different underlying causes and that they are truly distinct from each other and from other disorders. It is also possible that hEDS and HSD have a common underlying cause and are not truly separate conditions. ⁠
⁠
While it is frustrating to not have all the answers yet, this is not unusual. The history of medicine is full of examples of developments in diagnostic criteria and the separation of conditions within the same family of disorders as knowledge grows. The hEDS/HSD Working Group of the International Consortium on EDS and HSD is continuing to research and gain a better understanding of these conditions. ⁠
⁠
At present, the principles and types of management are the same for both HSD and hEDS. HSD is not less severe than hEDS. To say otherwise is incorrect and a misconception. As more and more research is done, this is shown in studies.⁠
⁠
Both conditions need awareness, recognition, validation, and care. It is fundamentally important that clinicians worldwide know that there are management strategies for both HSD and EDS that can improve the lives of people living with these conditions. ⁠

Learn more here: https://t.co/I99GpOAi4y

Stay tuned throughout May as we explain more about the types of HSD, the spectrum of HSD, and symptoms. #MyHSDChallenge #ZebraStrong #MedTwitter #medEd #Healthcare #Hypermobility

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@NewsomeAcademy Will these sessions always be at this time/day? I work then, but would like to attend an event like this. I know I can talk to school, but it would be useful to talk to others as well.

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@PaulGarvey4 Our eldest was born end of September many years ago, & first few weeks were glorious like this, all in short sleeves including said new baby! 😎

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

The science geek in me loves this!

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@emmalgsutton My eldest now gets up about 6 to shower, only under the water approx 5-10 mins, but spends a good 30-40 mins on the rest of his getting ready - if he’s later than 6 it makes everyone else in a rush!

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@NewsomeAcademy Congratulations to the Class of '23 (very proud parents all round!), and huge thanks to ALL staff involved in teaching, helping, encouraging, gentle bum-kicking, and all-round support!! 👏💚

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

Come and support this fab exhibition!
@fair_funky

[Yorkshire Wellies @Yorks_Wellies]

Taking part in my first exhibition, can now consider myself a ‘real’!
Check out @fair_funky for details & come along to see some fab art, including my embroidered chair!
Being visible @DO_Impact @julietjuggles @asocialnature !

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@elsbels44 Congratulations!! 👏💚

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@NewsomeAcademy I’m intrigued about the town that banned technology!

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@librarygirlknit Got loads of this growing in my garden, it can spread quite a bit!

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@emmalgsutton Following for same reason 🙂

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@MSogga @emmalgsutton @AutisticGirls_ @ItsEmilyKaty I second @AutisticGirls_ been following elsewhere for a while, thanks for link here to follow. 🙂

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@joannacull @emmalgsutton @BendyBrain I follow @BendyBrain am interested in all these connections, too!

[Anna Kingston @AnnaBramble]

@NewsomeAcademy It’s been lovely to see their progress, thanks for sharing their journey! 😊🐥