A connective tissue disease is a group of diseases of tissues that hold or bind the cells together. They impair the connection between the structures together. This disease leads to the inflammation of proteins found in the connective tissue. The causes of this disease are not clear. It can be due to genetic inheritance, injuries or others. It affects eyes, skin, fat, joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, bones, blood and blood vessels. The presence of connective tissue disease is represented by symptoms such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, swelling of the joints and bones, thickened skin, and more.
How Do You Know If You Have Connective Tissue Disease?
Its presence can be known by its symptoms. There are different types of connective tissue disease that have different characteristic symptoms. The types and symptoms of connective tissue disease are-
Ether-Danlos Syndrome– it is represented by over stretchy skin, scar tissue and over-flexible joints, bleeding gums, heart valve problems, indigestion, and lung-related problems. These symptoms can
Epidermolysis Bullosa– in this type of connective tissue disease blisters or tears appear on the skin due to slightest injury or bump or even by the rub of clothes over the skin.
Marfan Syndrome– its characteristic feature of this disorder is a tall and slender individual with very long bones, thin fingers, and toes.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta – its symptoms include brittle bones, relaxed bones, relaxed ligaments, and joints. They also cause curved spine, loss of hearing, brittle tooth, breathing problems, and bluish or white tint in the eyes.
Polymyositis And Dermatomyositis– it leads to the inflammation of the muscles and skin. its symptoms include weakness of muscles, fatigue, weight loss, shortness of breath, fever, and difficulty in swallowing.
Rheumatoid Arthritis– it is an autoimmune disease that attack membrane around the joints as an autoimmune response. Its symptoms include painful swollen joints. It also causes fatigue, anemia, fever, and loss of appetite. The joints may get permanently damaged and deformed due to this disease.
Scleroderma– its symptoms include thickening and tightening of the skin with building up of scar tissue and organ damage. In one of its types, it is limited to the skin. In the other type, it may affect vital organs and blood vessels.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus– it causes inflammatory changes in the skin, joints, and organs. It is represented by rashes on the cheeks and nose along with mouth ulcers, sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss, anemia, inflamed lungs and heart, kidney related problems, memory related problems, and mental illness.
Sjogren’s Syndrome– this syndrome causes dryness in the eyes and mouth. Its other symptoms involve extreme tiredness, painful joints, and other problems related to heart, lungs, kidneys and other diseases.
Vasculitis– its symptoms involve weight loss, fever, pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite. It may cause symptoms of stroke, in severe cases.
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease– it is a group of connective tissue diseases occurring in a single person in which their characteristic symptoms overlap over each other. The symptoms of lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome are mixed with each other that it is hard to find them.
A connective tissue disease is a group of diseases that lead to the inflammation of proteins in the connective tissue. Connective tissue is a bundle of cells that hold the structures of the body together. They provide nourishment, stability, strength, and support to various organs of the body. It comprises two types of protein, collagen, and elastin. Collagen is protein fibers that strengthen bone and cartilage. Elastin is protein fibers that stretch the skin and other cells.
Conclusion
Connective tissue disease is a name given to a group of disorders that involve connective tissues of the body. Its effect on the body is widespread. Its symptoms involve shortness of breath, Raynaud’s phenomenon, painful swollen joints and others discussed above according to its types.
Also Read:
- Connective Tissue Disease: Types, Symptom, Treatment, Causes, Prevention
- Can Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Go Into Remission?
- Is Connective Tissue Disease The Same As Fibromyalgia?
- What Is The Treatment For Connective Tissue Disease?
- How Serious Is Mixed Connective Tissue Disease?
- What Are The Symptoms Of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease?
- Does Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Cause Hair Loss?
