What Is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? Actress Lena Dunham Responds To Why She Walks With A Cane

“Girls” creator and actress Lena Dunham was recently spotted by paparazzi walking with a cane. In response, the writer and filmmaker took to Instagram to clear the air about the situation and revealed that she suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).

“But the truth is just: This is what life is like when I’m struggling most with chronic illness,” Dunham said in the post. “An Ehler-Danlos syndrome flare means that I need support from more than just my friends... so thank you, sweet cane!”

Dunham is the latest figure from the entertainment sphere to go public with their diagnosis. Previously, pop-star Sia and “The Good Place” star Jameela Jamil revealed their struggle with the condition.

But what is Ehlers-Danlos and what do its sufferers deal with?

According to the Mayo Clinic:

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues — primarily your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. Connective tissue is a complex mixture of proteins and other substances that provide strength and elasticity to the underlying structures in your body.

People who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome usually have overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin. This can become a problem if you have a wound that requires stitches, because the skin often isn't strong enough to hold them.

EDS is considered a rare condition, with the National Library of Medicine estimating that one in 5,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed with some form of it.

There is currently no known cure for the condition.

However, there are options for treating or preventing pain.