What does connective tissue disease do to your body?

What does connective tissue disease do to your body?

Collagen is found in the tendons, ligaments, skin, cartilage, bone and blood vessels. Elastin is found in the ligaments and skin. When these connective tissues become inflamed, this can harm the proteins and surrounding areas of the body. This is known as a connective tissue disorder.

What are the 7 functions of connective tissue?

Major functions of connective tissue include: 1) binding and supporting, 2) protecting, 3) insulating, 4) storing reserve fuel, and 5) transporting substances within the body.

What happens when connective tissue is damaged?

Parts of the heart can enlarge, or inflammation can occur around the heart. Heart failure can occur. Kidney damage. About one-fourth of people with mixed connective tissue disease develop kidney problems, Kidney involvement is usually mild, but can lead to kidney failure.

What is connective tissue disease symptoms?

The typical symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease are Raynaud syndrome (in which the fingers suddenly become very pale and tingle or become numb or blue in response to cold or emotional upset), joint inflammation (arthritis), swollen hands, muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and shortness of …

What is the most common connective tissue disorder?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common connective tissue diseases and can be inherited. RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system attacks its own body. In this systemic disorder, immune cells attack and inflame the membrane around joints.

How long can you live with connective tissue disease?

Outlook / Prognosis Since MCTD is comprised of a number of connective tissue disorders, there are many different possible outcomes, depending on the organs affected, the degree of inflammation, and how quickly the disease progresses. With proper treatment, 80% of people survive at least 10 years after diagnosis.

What is the treatment for connective tissue disease?

Other ways to control symptoms of mixed connective tissue disease include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), might help relieve the pain and inflammation if your condition is mild. Protecting hands from cold.

Can you live a normal life with mixed connective tissue disease?

According to the National Institutes of Health, the 10-year survival rate for people with MCTD is about 80 percent. That means 80 percent of people with MCTD are still alive 10 years after being diagnosed.

What doctor treats connective tissue disorders?

Doctors who treat patients with mixed connective tissue disease include primary-care providers such as general practitioners, internists, and family medicine doctors. Other specialists who can be involved in the care for these patients include neurologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, and nephrologists.

Is Fibromyalgia a connective tissue disorder?

Fibromyalgia is one of a group of chronic pain disorders that affect connective tissues, including the muscles, ligaments (the tough bands of tissue that bind together the ends of bones), and tendons (which attach muscles to bones).

What foods are good for connective tissue disease?

Foods that aid the health of connective tissue

• Foods Rich in Catechins – Green tea, dark chocolate, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, apricot, apples, red wine and rhubarb are all good sources.
• Foods Rich in Anthocyandins – Dark fruit berries, plums, blackcurrants, red wine, pomegranates, aubergine, red cabbage.

What tests are done for connective tissue disorder?

Routine screening tests for undifferentiated connective-tissue disease (UCTD) should include the following:

• Complete blood count.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Urinalysis with microscopic analysis.
• Serum creatinine.
• Rheumatoid factor (RF)

Are all connective tissue diseases autoimmune?

Connective tissue disease is a group of autoimmune conditions marked by inflammation of the muscle fascias, ligaments and skin. Connective tissue diseases are actually a group of medical diseases.

How does connective tissue disease affect the eyes?

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease to affect the cornea. Patients typically complain of pain, photophobia, excessive lacrimation, and blurred vision. The cornea does not have its own blood supply and is inaccessible to the inflammatory leukocytes directly.

Is connective tissue disease hereditary?

All of these diseases are directly related to problems in genes that are responsible for building connective tissues. The disorders are called “heritable,” because they are passed on from parent to child.

How do you strengthen connective tissue?

Below are five simple strategies.

1. Make a long-term commitment. It takes a little longer to strengthen tendons and ligaments than it does muscles because they get less blood flow.
2. Lift heavier weights.
3. Adjust your diet.
4. Take a supplement.
5. Get enough sleep.

What do all connective tissues have in common?

Connective tissues come in a vast variety of forms, yet they typically have in common three characteristic components: cells, large amounts of amorphous ground substance, and protein fibers.