In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD, delves into the intricate connections between the immune system and hypermobility disorders with Dr. Kara Wada. A quadruple board-certified physician and Sjogren's patient, Dr. Wada shares her expertise on mast cell activation syndrome, autoimmunity, and the role of inflammation. Discover holistic approaches to managing these conditions and gain valuable insights into the latest research and treatments. Don't miss the special hypermobility hacks at the end! Takeaways: Interplay Between Immune System and EDS: The immune system plays a significant role in hypermobility disorders, with conditions like mast cell activation syndrome and autoimmunity frequently seen in patients with EDS. Differences in Allergy and Mast Cell Activation: Allergy involves the immune system's memory of proteins, whereas mast cell activation syndrome can be triggered by various factors, often without the presence of traditional allergies. Inflammation's Role in Chronic Conditions: Chronic inflammation is a core issue in many modern diseases, including EDS and autoimmune disorders. It's the body's prolonged response to injury or infection that can lead to various health issues. Impact of Hormones: Hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, significantly influence immune system functioning and can affect conditions like POTS, often seen in EDS patients. Holistic and Lifestyle Approaches: Managing EDS and related conditions can benefit from holistic approaches, including anti-inflammatory diets, regular movement, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques such as meditation and journaling. Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/.   This episode is sponsored by EDS Guardians. If you want to learn more, check them out here: https://www.edsguardians.org/    Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them.🎧 Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.        Learn more about Human Content at http://www.human-content.com Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: [email protected] YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! 🧬🔬🦓 Learn about Kara Wada: Website: https://www.drkarawada.com/ Instagram: @immuneconfidentmd Youtube: @drkarawada Keep up to date with the HypermobilityMD: YouTube: youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast Twitter: twitter.com/BluesteinLinda LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd Facebook: facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast Blog: hypermobilitymd.com/blog Part of the Human Content Podcast Network