Connective tissue disease is the name given to the group of disorders that affect parts of the body that connect other structures together. They cause inflammation of protein collagen and elastin. Their damage causes damage to related body parts. They are caused by environmental factors and genetic inheritance. The appearance of symptoms depends on their types that include joint pain, bleeding gums, indigestion, eye problems and many more. There is no cure for these disorders. It even becomes worse with the best treatment.
Can Connective Tissue Disease Go Away On Its Own?
A connective tissue disease is a group of disorders that affect the protein-rich tissue supporting organs and other parts of the body. It affects skin, muscle, fat, blood, blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, bone, cartilage, eye, heart, lungs, kidneys, and even gastrointestinal tract.
Connective tissues are the tissues that are meant to hold cells of the body together. It helps in stretching and getting back to normal tension like a rubber band. It comprises two proteins namely collagen and elastin. Connective tissue disease causes inflammation of these proteins and affects their connection with aligned body parts or organs. Women are more affected by them than men.
The patient with a connective disease cannot be cured completely. Some of its types do not require treatment and the patient may survive into old age. Some of its types may go worse even with treatment. Connective tissue disease cannot go away on its own.
Connective Tissue Disease Types
There are many types of connective tissue disease-
Inherited diseases– connective tissue disease can be inherited disorder that comprises of defective genes. Many of them are rare. There are-
Autoimmune Diseases. Some types of connective tissue disease in which one’s body targets one’s own connective tissues, these diseases are-
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease– it is a disease of connective tissue that represents characteristic features of several diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and polymyositis.
Connective Tissue Disease Symptoms
Connective tissue disease represents different symptoms according to its types-
Ehler-Danlos Syndrome– its key symptoms are over-flexible joints, stretchable skin and excess scar tissues. It may also cause a curved spine, bleeding gums, indigestion, heart, and lung-related problems.
Epidermolysis Bullosa– tears or blisters are formed everywhere in the skin by minor injuries or even friction of clothes.
Marfan Syndrome– it affects eyes especially eye lenses, heart, bones, ligaments and blood vessels, especially aorta. The affected persons are thin and tall with long bones and thin fingers and toes.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta– its symptoms include curved spine, brittle bones, lax muscles, weak joints and ligaments, thin skin, brittle tooth, loss of hearing and breathing problems.
Polymyositis– it causes weakness of muscles, fatigue, fever, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, and weight loss.
Rheumatoid Arthritis– its symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and warmth in the joints. It may also cause joint deformity, fever, and anemia.
Scleroderma– it causes thickening and tightening of the skin, and damage to organs and blood vessels.
Systemic lupus Erythematosus– it causes inflammation of the skin, joints and internal organs. Its symptoms are a butterfly-shaped rash on the nose and cheeks, mouth ulcers, hair loss, anemia, kidney problems, anemia, fluid accumulation in the heart or lungs and nervous system disorders.
Sjogren’s Syndrome– its symptoms include dryness in eyes and mouth. It may also cause fatigue and joint pain.
Conclusion
A connective tissue disease is a group of disorders that can involve skin, muscle, joints, ligaments, bone, cartilage, tendons, eye, and blood. It is a disease of tissues that connect different cells and organs together. It develops due to various reasons and there is no cure for these disorders. It does not go away on its own.
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