Connective Tissue Diseases: Overview
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KEY POINTS
- Connective tissue provides strength and support for your body. It also allows your blood vessels to stretch. There are several kinds of connective tissue diseases.
- Treatment depends on which connective tissues are affected and how severe the problems are. Treatment may include medicine, physical or occupational therapy, or surgery.
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What is a connective tissue disease?
Connective tissue is found throughout your body. It provides strength and support for your body. It also allows your blood vessels to stretch. There are several different types of connective tissue diseases (CTDs), such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common CTDs. It causes pain, stiffness, swelling, change in shape, and loss of movement in your joints. It happens most often in the wrists, knuckles, knees, and feet. It can also affect the heart, lungs, and eyes.
- Scleroderma. Scleroderma is a disease that causes parts of your body to get thick and hard. It may affect the skin, joints, muscles, blood vessels, and organs such as the kidneys, heart, and lungs.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus. When you have lupus, areas of your skin or joints get painful, red, and swollen (inflamed). Other parts of the body can also be affected, such as the muscles, kidneys, nervous system including the brain, blood vessels, lungs, and heart.
- Polymyositis/dermatomyositis. Polymyositis causes muscle inflammation (swelling and irritation) and weakness. Dermatomyositis causes inflammation of muscles and blood vessels and can also cause a rash. These diseases can make the heart muscle weak or cause lung problems.
- Sjögren’s syndrome. Sjögren’s syndrome affects the glands that produce tears and saliva, causing dry eyes and dry mouth. The disease can also affect your lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, and nervous system.
You may also have what is called mixed connective tissue disease if you have symptoms of more than one of these conditions.
What is the cause?
Most CTDs are autoimmune diseases. This means that your body's defenses against infection attack your body's own tissue. The exact cause is not always known. Things that may cause or contribute to CTDs include:
- Genes you have inherited. Genes are inside each cell of your body and are passed from parents to children. They contain the information that tells your body how to develop and work.
- Infection, such as infection with the Epstein-Barr virus or rubella (German measles) virus
- Smoking, which may trigger an auto-immune reaction
- Long-term exposure to chemicals, like silica or asbestos
- Too much sunlight
Some people start having symptoms for no known reason.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may include:
- Muscle or joint pain
- Feeling tired all of the time
- Decreased muscle tone and muscle weakness
- Fever
- Raynaud's disease, which causes your hands, feet, ears, and nose to turn pale, then blue, then red when you get cold or feel stressed
- Tremors of the hands
- Shortness of breath, even at rest
- Problems swallowing
- Dry eyes, mouth, and skin
- Joints that are too flexible, or changes in the shape of your joints over time
- Vision problems
- Weight loss
- Small lumps under the skin
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. Tests may include:
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- CT scan, which uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of the body
- MRI, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show detailed pictures of the body
- Eye exam
- Joint aspiration, which uses a needle to take fluid from a joint for testing
- An EMG (also called an electromyogram), which uses needles passed through your skin to send mild electric signals and check how your nerves and muscles respond
- An echocardiogram, which uses sound waves (ultrasound) to see how well your heart muscle is pumping
- An ECG (also called an EKG or electrocardiogram), which measures and records your heartbeat
- A biopsy, which is the removal of a small sample of tissue for testing
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on which connective tissues are affected and how severe the problems are. Medicines may be prescribed to prevent or control heart, eye, and other problems and may be needed long-term. You may need surgery to treat problems with the eyes, heart, joints, or spine. Your healthcare providers may recommend lifestyle changes and physical or occupational therapy.
How can I take care of myself?
Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider.
A healthy lifestyle may help:
- Eat a healthy diet. Ask your provider about the benefits of talking to a dietitian to learn what you need in a healthy diet.
- Try to keep a healthy weight. If you are overweight, lose weight.
- Stay fit with the right kind of exercise for you.
- Limit caffeine. Caffeine can increase blood pressure. If your blood pressure stays high over time, it can further damage your blood vessels and organs.
- Avoid cold temperatures, including very cold air conditioning. Be sure to dress properly for the weather and avoid letting your skin get cold.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure. Try to avoid outdoor activities during peak sunlight hours (usually 10 AM to 4 PM). Exposure to the sun can worsen skin rashes and other problems of lupus. When you are exposed to sunlight, wear a hat to shield your face. Wear clothing that covers your arms, legs, and chest. Always use sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater.
- Learn to manage stress. Ask for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle. Find ways to relax. For example take up a hobby, listen to music, watch movies, or take walks. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
- If you smoke, try to quit. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to quit smoking.
- If you want to drink alcohol, ask your healthcare provider how much is safe for you to drink.
- Keep up to date with recommended shots (immunizations). Get a flu shot every year and ask your healthcare provider about any other vaccines you may need.
- Talk with your family and your healthcare providers about your concerns. Ask your healthcare provider any questions you have about the disease, treatments, side effects of the treatments, sexual activity, support groups, and anything else that concerns you.
Ask your provider:
- How and when you will get your test results
- How to take care of yourself at home
- What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them
Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.
You can get more information from:
- Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
800-475-6473
https://www.sjogrens.org - Lupus Foundation of America
800-558-0121 (English), 800-558-0231 (Spanish)
http://www.lupus.org - Scleroderma Foundation
http://www.scleroderma.org - American College of Rheumatology
http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver
